The Most Festive Christmas Sendoff: Duchesne Feast Wishes

One of the most beloved Duchesne traditions is Feast Wishes, an Upper School holiday celebration which occurs on the last day before Christmas break, which this year was December 15th. This sacred heart tradition dates back to the days of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat who founded the Society of the Sacred Heart. Students would use the days leading up to the long school breaks to express their wishes and gratitude to the faculty and staff - who usually lived at the school during the holidays. Over the many years, it has become a time to celebrate the whole community. 

After Christmas Mass, the Upper School faculty and staff met in the Cameron theater. First the full Upper School choir sang Carol of the Bells which led into the short prayer service and the lighting of three advent candles. Subsequently, students from the guitar class and performing arts teacher Kathy Montgomery performed Feliz Navidad while also dancing and swaying in a choreographed performance.

Duchesne Upper School teachers singing their cover of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. (Photo: Tessa Harfenist)

Next student government showed a video remake of Twelve Days of Christmas with cameos from students and faculty. The video replaced the lyrics of the song with Duchesne-related lyrics. For instance, instead of the “five golden rings” lyrics the video included “five junior rings,” alluding to Duchesne’s junior ring tradition. Following the video, the advanced choir sang Ding Dong Merrily on High while the faculty got up from their seats to prepare for their own performances. 

Teachers Amiee Modic, Alaina Scorsone, and Molly Duncan mid Jingle Bells performance. (Photo: Tessa Harfenist)

The black theater curtain revealed the surprise that the faculty had put together - a handbells performance - and the students cheered in excitement. This type of performance was new to this year’s Feast Wishes, as in the past the faculty would only sing a song. They performed two songs with their handbells, Jingle Bells and The Nutcracker.

Mikel Jones, an academic dean, and mathematics teacher stated, “we practiced twice for about 30 minutes each before school and during AAA (a break time in the mornings). I had never done handbells before, but I loved it! My favorite [to play] was Jingle Bells. The Nutcracker was more challenging, and it went better during practice than our performance at Feast Wishes, but I liked that one, too!”

Then one of the most anticipated moments of Feast Wishes is when the faculty sing an altered Christmas song. This year they sang a cover of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with a twist. The song focused on the new head of school, Ms. Hillary Feerick-Hillenbrand, and her predicament that people find it difficult to say her last name.

Duchesne head of school Ms. Feerick-Hillenbrand giving her remarks at the end of the faculty song. (Photo: Tessa Harfenist)

Some of the lyrics were: 
“But do you recall
The most complicated name of them all?
Hillary Fernick Headstand
She is our new head of school. 
But when you say her last name, 
You will just feel like a fool.”

At the end of the song, Ms. Feerick-Hillenbrand walked on the stage to say “It’s Feerick-Hillenbrand, it’s not that hard. The little kids can say it!”, which got loads of laughter and claps from the Upper School.

Student body president Victoria Carroll giving her end of year speech. (Photo: Tessa Harfenist)

Finally, the ceremony concluded with a speech from student government president Victoria Carroll. In this speech she gave her advice to each grade while expressing her gratitude for the past year and her excitement for the following. She also gave sincere thanks to the faculty and staff saying, “Your love for teaching only amplifies our love for learning. You truly are the root of our success.”

The program wrapped up as student government members passed out the faculty gifts, candles in an oak tree slice, which ties to the beloved Duchesne oak tree on the White House lawn. Feast Wishes continues to be a wonderful send-off into the long winter break and reminds the Duchesne family how tight-knit of a community they are.