by Fr Chris Ferreira

Don Bosco High School Makarpura, Vadodara had a grand investiture ceremony to invest their newly elected school leaders and house captains on 13 July, 2024. This annual event was combined with the farewell program to Fr Glen Fernandes sdb, the outgoing principal of the school.

The program commenced with a Guard of Honour by the Boscoree Scouts to the management of the school – Fr Isaac Arackaparambil sdb – the Rector and Manager, Ms Leena Varghese – the School Principal, Fr Jerome Aruldass sdb – the Vice Principal and Fr Thomas Chalissery sdb – the Administrator. Fr Glen Fernandes sdb – the chief guest for the occasion was welcomed with a flowering sapling and thanked profusely for his leadership and guidance in his tenure as a principal in the recent years that aided the school to progress and develop in all the spheres of education.

The guests of honour for the program – the toppers of the last academic year were then introduced and felicitated with saplings. Vedant Mishra, Krish Taylor, Krishna Sharma, Muskan Giri and Angelina Joseph were the toppers from sciences, commerce and arts streams respectively. Their presence was enriching and encouraging to the student fraternity.

The presence of God was invoked with the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries and the staging of a prayer dance by the students. A touching farewell address was read in honor of Fr Glen reminiscing his contributions and his multi-faceted personality; this was further complemented by the reading and the presentation of a citation to Fr Glen by the newly appointed principal – Ms Leena Varghese. Fr Glen took to the podium to share his genuine experience of being a principal to both the staff and the students.

The chief guest Fr Glen, Principal Varghese and Ms Gloria Baptista – the Chief Co-ordinating Teacher then proceeded to invest the newly elected leaders with their badges, sashes and respective flags. The head boy – Aman Marathe and the head girl – Vaishnavi Kathit led all the leaders in taking their oath as leaders after their investiture. The waving flags of the school and houses were a sight to behold!

The head boy – Aman Marathe on the occasion expressed, "as a leader, I will promise to be a true torch bearer adhering to the values of honesty, perseverance, teamwork and selfless service." The event ended with the recitation of the solemn school anthem.

After thanking all who put in their mite in this program in her vote of thanks, the head girl – Vaishnavi Kathik added, "while excellence academics, sports and co-curricular activities will continue to be the student community's focus, character formation and discipline too will be given equal importance."