Alverno High School

Candlelight Celebration:
Every year, the Alverno community comes together to celebrate the wonder and joy of the holiday season by participating in the re-enactment of the story of Christmas. Students act out the story of Jesus� birth as angels lead the crowds around the Villa del Sol d�Oro. Alverno students, families, alumnae, faculty, and staff all join in this Christmas tradition as active participants. The crowd lights the way by carrying candles through the duration of the program and singing carols along with the Alverno choirs.

Senior Farewell:
The senior class is treated to a special farewell from the Alverno community prior to graduation. During a school-wide assembly each class presents heartfelt words and small gifts to the graduates. Alumnae who were the �big sisters� to the graduating class, present special gifts to officially induct the class as members of the Alumnae Association. The Alumna
of the Year is also announced at this event. She is an alumna who is chosen based on the positive difference she has made in the lives of others and any adversity she has overcome. She inspires and encourages the graduates to face their futures knowing that Alverno has prepared them to meet life�s challenges and succeed in whatever they do.

Gala:
As Alverno�s largest annual event, the Gala is a fundraiser that has been in existence for a decade. The Development Office and current parents plan a beautiful evening each year complete with a theme, silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. The money raised from the Gala supports programs and/or school improvements to enrich the academic life of every student. Some exciting live auction items in the past have included vacations to Hawaii, tickets to prominent sporting events at the Staples Center, and hot-air balloon rides, just to name a few. Local merchants donate everything from gift cards to baskets full of their merchandise for the silent auction as well.

Grandparent�s Day:
They love us unconditionally and they deserve a special day just for them! Alverno celebrates our student�s grandparents each year with a day of classes and a special luncheon for all who attend. In the morning, students and their grandparents are treated to breakfast treats like coffee, juice and muffins. Then it is off to class. Teachers prepare special lesson plans to get the grandparents involved and show them what a typical day at school is like for their granddaughters. Following classes, a lunch is served in the Villa del Sol d�Oro, giving students and grandparents a chance to socialize and enjoy each other�s company.

Mary�s Day:

Mary�s Day is the celebration, not only of Mary, the mother of God, but also for the Alverno community. In the morning there is a Mass in which the Mary�s Day court crowns the statue of Mary. The court consists of seven seniors who have been voted by the faculty as showing outstanding service to the community. After the Mass, students change into play clothes and the different classes (or states) battle each other in volleyball, soccer, spelling bees, and scavenger hunts. At the end, the points are totaled up and the winning state gets to receive their yearbooks first. This is the culmination of spirit week, designed to raise the spirit of the school, bond with fellow classmates and fully participate as a member of the Alverno Community. In the past, Alverno girls have raised more than $2,000 in pennies for the Leukemia Society during the infamous Penny Wars.

Founders� Day /Theme Day:

In October, near the feast day of St. Francis, Alverno celebrates its beginnings and philosophy. In the morning, the students attend liturgy during which the Campus Ministry class performs the Gospel and St. Francis students are invited to join in the fun. The new government for the school year is sworn in at this time as well. With the Chief Justice, the President, Vice President and ASU cabinet are sworn in and then the states and Congress follow. With over one-third of our student body in leadership, it is an amazing event for the whole school.

The second part of the day is in celebration of our annual theme. Speakers, movies, discussions, and service projects help demonstrate how the theme relates to the Alverno philosophy and to the students. Some themes in the past included �The Year of the Challenge� (2007-2008) and �Girl Meets World� (2005-2006). The theme for the 2008-2009 school year is �Go Green� in an effort to help everyone become more aware of the environment and discover new ways to preserve natural resources.

Convention Week:

At the end of every school year, a new student government must be chosen. As per our unique constitution, this is done through a Convention. Every April, students get an up close look at how leaders are chosen and how their opinion matters. Students are divided into two parties. They nominate candidates and break up into Steering and Platform Committees and delegations. In the Steering Committees and Platform Committees they decide the colors they will use, the decorations for Convention, and the planks, or beliefs of the party.

During the actual Convention Day, the delegates debate the planks and choose to accept or deny them into the platform of the party. This is really where the students make the most change to the school. After the planks are admitted, the candidates come in, share their ideas and beliefs, and ask the delegates for their vote. At the end, the delegates nominate their candidates, and the school-wide election is held to find the next year's president and vice president.