Aadit Mascarenhas & Rodney Jayakumar with Fr Bernard Fernandes for BISMumbai

'Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality’ was the theme for the Student Leaders' installation ceremony at Don Bosco High School Matunga, for the academic year 2021-22, on 06 July. Despite the unprecedented and trying pandemic situation, yet in the true spirit of democracy, the student leaders for the year, were elected through secret ballot by the staff members of the school. The investiture of the Student Council took place in the school premises in the presence of the management with minimal staff, parents and students physically present, while the entire student body watched the programme live-streamed on the school’s official YouTube channel.

The school band gave a rousing performance, accompanying a select group of NCC cadets who escorted the management to the venue with a befitting guard of honour. The installation ceremony commenced with the dignitaries lighting the lamp. The chief guest for the special occasion was the Rector-Father Crispino D’Souza. The other guests were: Principal-Father Bernard Fernandes, Administrator-Father Orville Coutinho, VicePrincipal-Clifford D’Souza, Asst. Headmistress-Christina Mascarenhas, Coordinator-Rai, Secondary Supervisors-Elizabeth Soares, Anita Philip and Reshma Belgaonkar; Primary Supervisor-Shoba D’Souza and Primary Head Teacher-Griselda Fernandes.

School is the fertile ground where future leaders are chiselled and polished. The leaders elected for this academic year were called upon, as they marched ahead to the tune played by the band. Each and every school leader has an impressive track record that represents the multiple and multifaceted talents and achievements of the school. They were administered their respective oaths to the leaders, underscoring the importance of their role in maintaining the values and standards set by the school.

Father Crispino D'Souza shared an incident from the school days of St. Dominic Savio the model student, to highlight the importance of discipline, sensitivity, supportiveness and selflessness, as these remain values to be imbibed by all student leaders. His message to the Student Council was to lead other students by example. Father Fernandes, encouraged the students to excel and leave behind a legacy for the future. He also thanked all the people involved in the coordination and execution of the day’s programme, especially those who worked backstage.

School captain Aadit Mascarenhas delivered the vote of thanks. He iterated that he stood before all, not just as a team leader but to work together with the management, teachers and all the students for the greater glory of the school. The event concluded with the singing of the school anthem.