Head of School Jay Rainey shared the following “true story” at the all-school Homecoming pep rally on Friday, September 24, in Ron Holtman Stadium.
What I am about to tell you is a true story.
Long, long ago, a group of shepherds lived in peace and harmony in these very rolling hills and meadows of eastern Missouri. One day, a leader of these shepherds named Mary I. Codasco, who was esteemed far and wide for her wisdom and courage, said to another shepherd, “Isn’t it interesting that our sheep communicate by saying ‘baaaaah’?” (Her pronunciation of the sound rhymed with “bat.”)
“Nonsense!” retorted her friend, who had always suspected that he was smarter and more interesting than Mary. “Our sheep say ‘baaaah!’” (His pronunciation of the sound, unlike hers, rhymed with “bot.”) “If they said ‘baaaah’” he continued, mocking Mary’s voice, “that would sound baaaaaaaad.”
Other shepherds overheard this conversation and began to take sides and argue with one another. “We agree with Mary I. Codasco!” proclaimed one group of shepherds, including all of those who tended the sheep with horns. “Of course sheep say ‘baaah,’ since ‘baaah’ rhymes with ‘raaaam’!”
“Outrageous!” declared the other group of shepherds. “Sheep obviously say ‘baaaah!’” (Their pronunciation of the sound rhymed with “bot.”) “We agree with Mary’s friend John Burroughs.”
Emboldened by their support, the one they called John Burroughs shouted, “Mary I. Codasco is no friend of mine! For people who say ‘baaah’ and people who say ‘baaah’ cannot possibly live together in peace and harmony!”
So the one they called John Burroughs and his followers, who like their leader secretly suspected that they were smarter and more interesting than all of the other shepherds, departed to adjacent hills and meadows and began to call themselves “Baaahmbers.”*
And Mary I. Codasco and her followers, including all of the shepherds who tended the sheep with horns, remained in their beautiful rolling hills and meadows, and began to call themselves “Raaams.” And in succeeding generations, after the passing of Mary I. Codasco, the Rams began to call their community “MICDS” in her memory, from the initials and letters in her good name.
That was many years ago, but every autumn, to maintain peace and harmony between their two tribes, the Rams and the Bombers come together to compete in vigorous contests, sometimes on the fields and courts and in the waters of MICDS, and sometimes on the fields and courts and in the waters in the land of John Burroughs. And most often, no matter the setting, the Rams emerge victorious over the Bombers.
This year, MICDS will host these vigorous contests, and we will be gracious and respectful hosts, and there will be much joy and celebration throughout the Homecoming weekend. As we compete against the people of John Burroughs and emerge victorious once more, our beautiful rolling hills and meadows will echo again with a singular refrain: “Go Rams! Beat the Bombers!”
Jay Rainey
Head of School
(*All names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, or rival schools is entirely coincidental. Hypothetically, however, if such a resemblance were not coincidental, it would be intended strictly in a spirit of affection and fun. 😊 MICDS and JBS are both significantly bettered by the longstanding rivalry that joins our two communities. Bring on Homecoming 2022!)
This week’s addition to the “Refrains for Rams” playlist: If Ever by Paula Fuga, Jack Johnson, and Ben Harper. (Apple Music / Spotify)