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The phrase ‘red-letter day’ dates back to 1549. It means an important or a memorable day. St. Francis College for Women celebrated its Annual College Day and Farewell on Saturday, March 13, 2010. It was a special day for the faculty and the student body, for it appreciated the efforts put in by everyone in the bygone year and marked the successful completion of yet another batch of young and bright students.

The much-awaited programme began with a lovely prayer song by the nightingales of the college. They invoked the Muse of St. Francis of Assisi to grant serenity and grace in their natures, wisdom and courage as their shields during adversities and to ensure that the beacon of love and empathy for fellow beings in their hearts remains forever shining. Attired in purple robes, laced with gold, the members of the choir lent their voices in true spirit of love and humanity. The Lamp Lighting Ceremony served as the auspicious beginning to the show. The Principal, Dr. Sr. Alphonsa Vattoly was then called upon the stage to address the gathering and inspire the students with her encouraging words. She said, “My beloved students, you are at the threshold of a new phase in your lives as you leave this great academic institution. I welcome you to the event with the prayer song. I wish that you may blossom and prosper with the divine guidance illuminating your lives forever.”

The Celebrated Choir. Credits : Zainab Rangoonwala

Appreciation of meritorious students in academic and extra-curricular activities is imperative so as to motivate them to work harder and achieve their most cherished goals. The Prize Distribution was thus next on the agenda. Gold Medals, Certificates and Awards were given away for Proficiency, Scholastic achievements in individual subjects, Scholarships and excellence in sports, community awards for services to NCC (National Cadet Corps)/NSS (National Social Service), et al. It was indeed a pleasure to see the audience cheer the deserving students. On this occasion, numerous shields and awards were also given to the faculty and administration in acknowledgment to their loyalty and services. “I own this prize, but truly I owe it to God, my family and my lecturers”, remarks Aarthi Rajendran from B.A IIB, a recipient of the Silver Medal for Proficiency.

The Prize Distribution Ceremony having successfully ended, gave way to the equally anticipated second half of the programme for the day – Farewell to the outgoing batch. The Farewell Party is a formal event of every educational institution in which the senior-most batch is bid adieu after having completed their term of study. It is a nostalgic occasion, evoking bitter-sweet emotions amidst tears and smiles and bringing back happy as well as sad memories. “As goes the saying, ‘what you have is not as important as what you become, it is my prayer and sincere wish that the quality education that has been offered to you in this college has helped you become better individuals and empathetic to others. Wish you all the Best”, observed the Principal, Dr. Sr. Alphonsa Vattoly.

The Principal addressing the gathering. Credits : Zainab Rangoonwala

The Prize Distribution. Credits : Pens Eve

The Winners of the Proficiency Award. Credits : Pens Eve

“The Farewell was a great experience. We bonded with the entire class and also with the teachers”, shares Esha Kedia, a final year student of B.Com Professionals. “These three years have shown me my true self, exposed hidden facets of my personality and made me my true being. All possible opportunities are given here to make a person a better human being. From vital values to pride, from strict rules to lovely Principal, from simplicity to latest trends, from knowledgeable teachers to freaky friends, from open-gate system to 75% attendance, from regular classes to superb canteen, this college has it all. What more can a student ask for?”, gushes a nostalgic Disha Pancholi, a final year student of the college. “Everything has to come to an end and so will these pages of my life. I wish I had got an opportunity of never turning these pages. But life has to move on and so I will walk proudly out of St. Francis, with it as my shadow, with the values given by it as my wings, to break through the skies and go beyond rainbows”, she adds.

Prizes for the faculty. Credits : Pens Eve

The Miss Francis Contest was the eagerly awaited segment, in which, fifteen accomplished final year Francisians, selected by staff and student advisors, participated on a common platform, displaying their expertise in respective fields for the much-coveted title of ‘Miss Francis’. The Contest was no less than a renowned beauty pageant. Dressed in ethnic traditional wear, the Farewell hallmark, glamorized saris, authentic jewellery and fashionable footwear, the contestants walked with panache, answered questions with poise and performed with élan. The ‘Show Your Talent’ round was a complete entertainer with someone playing the piano, another dancing on a popular Bollywood song, someone rendering the soulful rendition of another popular number, something out-of-the-box like displaying clothes designed by them and radio-jockeying. This was a reflection of the widespread talent present in abundance in today’s youth.

“I think the contest was amazing, a great experience for them as well as for me. I was surprised to see the amount of confidence that they portrayed while speaking, dancing, singing or walking. And I’ve surely taken good tips from them. It was fun watching too!”, exclaims Divjyot Chawla, from B.Com Professionals.

The Miss Francis Contest. Credits : Pens Eve

In the next round, the contestants were asked mind-boggling questions about their Alma Mater. “My friends and I usually put up a dance performance for any programme in college and we were expected to do the same this time too. However, we chose to organize the prestigious Miss Francis Contest as we knew we wouldn’t get this opportunity again. We thought of whacky and interesting questions to make it ‘hatke’ and the round became a big hit. We asked questions about college and not many knew the right answers in spite of spending three years here!”, says Jui Mukherjee, a second year student of Mass Communication. “Over the last two years, I’ve made some really good friends among the seniors and I’m going to miss them”, she adds.

The results of the Contest were announced to the jubilant cheers of the audience. Sneha Kothari from B.Com was the proud owner of the Miss Francis title. She was also given the title of ‘Miss Talented’. Isha Anjali Chandra from B.A Psychology was the First Runner-up along with the titles of ‘Miss Best Dressed’ and ‘Miss Bindaas’. Sheetal Iyer from B.A Mass Communication was the Second Runner-up as well as holder of the ‘Miss Popular’ title.

'Show Your Talent'. Credits : Pens Eve

It was then time for the seniors to sit back, relax and enjoy the afternoon with their friends. The celebrated choir presented a medley of songs appropriate for the occasion and the second year students of B.Com and B.Sc performed dances. “I’m obviously filled with a certain amount of sadness. It isn’t easy to leave familiar and well-loved people and places. However, Farewell also brings with it a great deal of excitement about what lies ahead”, says Swathi Kandru, a final year B.A Psychology student.

The programme ended on a solemn note as the words of the Principal remained upper-most on every student’s mind, “Life is precious. God gives us just one life to live and we must make it beautiful.”

Here’s wishing a warm farewell, good luck and sincere wishes to the outgoing batches of this academic year!

Cheers to a bright future!