Our Grandparents Day celebration, held on October 16, 2024, at the Athol Syms Community Center, turned out to be an unforgettable experience! Organized by our wonderful classmates, Chadani and Ritika, it wasn’t just about activities—it was about honoring the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren, and yes, it was a lot of fun.
To kick things off, we set up chairs, did our morning routine, and sang the national anthem and waiatas together. With Grandparents Day as the theme, our leaders, Chadani and Ritika, shared stories about their own grandparents. The day got emotional when Chadani, reflecting on her memories, teared up while talking about her grandparents. It was a touching reminder of why this celebration matters.
The activities began with a game that tested our reaction skills and sense of fun. We split into two groups, and a hoop was placed in the middle. When the leaders called “in,” we’d jump into the hoop, and for “out,” we’d jump out. But they switched it up mid-game, so suddenly “in” meant “out” and vice versa! You can imagine the chaos and laughter as we all tried to keep up!
Next, we took on the "Toilet Paper Challenge." Tables were set up with a glass of water at one end and a roll of toilet paper at the other. Our task? To pull the glass across the table using only the toilet paper. If it got wet or the glass spilled, we had to start over. It was a race against the odds—and the limits of soggy paper. It wasn’t easy, but that made it even more fun!
Our third activity was a word puzzle with a twist. Each group got a list of phrases with hidden animal names tucked inside. For example, the phrase “She came late every day” has a hidden “camel” in it. Some of the phrases even had two answers, and finding them was a fun mix of focus and teamwork.
Finally, we wrapped up with a question bowl filled with prompts about our grandparents. My question was, “Did you ever give a gift to your grandparents?” My answer? “No gifts, just love.” This part of the day gave everyone a chance to reflect on our own grandparents and share stories that made us smile, laugh, or feel a little nostalgic.
After the activities, we had a shared lunch, and while some of us went to pick up the food, others got things ready back at the center. The day ended with a heartfelt speech from Aj and Rhea, who congratulated Chadani and Ritika on completing their course. Both of them gave their own speeches too, sharing their passion for DRT and their excitement to continue spreading joy through their work.
A huge congratulations to Chadani and Ritika on their success! We’re all so proud of you and can’t wait to see the joy you’ll bring to others through your work. Here’s to many more days of connection, laughter, and memories—just like Grandparents Day!
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