MICDS seniors, juniors, and eighth- and fourth-grade students once again gathered on Lilly’s Field on May 6 for the annual May Day Celebration, a Mary Institute tradition since 1912. Although held at various locations throughout St. Louis in the past, the spring festival has found its permanent home on the MICDS campus nearly a century later.
The festivities began with the entrance of the juniors to the tune of Simple Gifts from Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland, followed by their traditional Daisy Chain dance to Carillon from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet. Next, the seniors made their entrance onto the May field, where they were presented with a sprig of ivy by the juniors signifying the graduate’s living link with Mary Institute and Country Day School.
The fourth graders performed a joyful dance to Mock Morrie by Percy Grainger, while the eighth graders led a ribbon dance to Ballerina by David Caballero, using large panels of ribbons to create waves of color. The grand finale brought the seniors onto the field to receive their maypole ribbons from the Ribbon Presenters, who are siblings or relatives of the senior girls, before commencing the weaving of the maypole to the music of Fantasia on Greensleeves by Vaughn Williams.
After the maypole dance, Coronation Pages Mia Krieger ’24 and Sophie Reed ’24 began their journey around the circle of seniors to deliver flowers to the chosen May Queen. Student Council Co-President Skye Patton ’23 crowned Jane Cohen ’23 as the Class of 2023 May Queen before classmates rushed in for a monumental group hug.
Thanks to May Day Director Emily Huber ’89 and Assistant May Day Director Josh Baumgartner for creating another memorable day for the students. Congratulations to Jane and all members of the Class of 2023!
The complete May Day program can be found here. Also, be sure to check out the highlight video and photo gallery below!
