An important part of Benilde-St. Margaret’s history is Grandparents’ Day. This year, the event will take place on October 6, marking almost three decades of the tradition. This special day allows grandparents to spend time seeing their grandchildren’s classes and the school they attend.
The students come together to celebrate their loved ones and show their appreciation for the older generations who have played a major role in shaping our lives. These connections help foster a deeper understanding between students and their elders, allowing both generations to share in time-honored traditions. Grandparents’ Day is well attended at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Each year, more than 600 grandparents attend. In 2022, we had the greatest attendance since COVID-19, with over 700 people in total. “Many people were a little more hesitant to come the year after COVID. So I think last year, we felt pretty good. Now it’ll be interesting to see the resurgence of COVID. I’m excited for these upcoming years,” Director of Alumni Relations and Community Mary Fran O’Keefe said.
O’Keefe expressed a deep appreciation for Grandparents’ Day. O’Keefe says she loves seeing kids act in a different light when their grandma and grandpa are around. Her favorite part is observing how much the students look up to and respect their elders. “We should show respect to our grandparents, who are often from my very own generation. It’s a great way for kids to honor their family history and legacies,” O’Keefe said.
We should show respect to our grandparents, who are often from my very own generation. It’s a great way for kids to honor their family history and legacies.
— Mary Fran O'Keefe
There are many reasons why students appreciate Grandparents’ Day. Senior Gus Bell notes that Grandparents’ Day is an occasion he enjoys because he gets to introduce his grandparents to a place where he spends so much of his time. Like Bell, many other students cherish those memories. Grandparents’ Day allows the whole Benilde-St. Margaret’s community to come together and celebrate these incredible individuals who enrich the lives of students and staff in many ways, making this one of the most memorable and beloved events to look forward to each year. “It allows me to spend precious moments with my grandma and grandpa, it’s a day that’s fun because I am creating new memories with them that will last forever,” Bell said.