Grandparents' Day

Written by Marketing & Communications EPIC intern Isabella Yacoub '25

Each year, Benilde-St. Margaret’s celebrates and honors our community's grandparents. Grandparents’ Day is a moment of love and appreciation as students welcome their relatives on campus to participate in Mass, enjoy breakfast together, and share a tour of our school. This year, BSM hosted a total of 675 grandparents, many of whom are alums of St. Margaret’s Academy, Benilde High School, and BSM. It is a privilege for the community to recognize BSM grandparents who are mentors and inspirations for students, supporting them in their education, faith, and being people of character.

For alums of St. Margaret’s, Benilde, and BSM, it’s also a chance to reconnect with classmates who are also grandparents of current students and return to where they graduated, seeing the changes and advancements the school has made.

For Rita Wartman, she has seen her daughter, Sara, graduate from BSM in 1994 and her granddaughter Michaela graduated with the class of 2023. “The school has gotten much bigger, and I usually come to the gym and the field to watch sports,” Wartman said. Another granddaughter, Claire is a member of the class of 2027, who shared, “It’s really nice to see them at school with me, and we get to eat with them after Mass together.” 

Kate Dooley, Claire's other grandmother, has been part of the BSM community since the 1950s when she attended St. Margaret's Academy, graduating in 1958. Her aunt and a sister also graduated from St. Margaret's when the school was still located next to the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis. Her four children, including Claire's dad, Matt, graduate in 1991 from BSM. "We always look forward to Grandparents' Day - to attend the Mass, receiving the blessing, enjoy the meal together and to talk with other grandparents," Dooley said, "We get to show our love and appreciation for our grandkids and this brings the BSM community together."

Grandparents Day is special to both new grandparents who have never seen the school before and alumni coming to experience the changes and advancements in the school. Having both grandmothers with her, Dooley reflected, “This day is special because a lot of grandparents also came here and it’s cool to see how big the BSM community is.” During breakfast following Mass, many students were able to introduce their grandparents to classmates and teachers, sharing their favorite memories at BSM.

At the conclusion of Mass, BSM’s President Danielle Hermanny ‘03 gave thanks for the huge crowd, noting, “Grandparents are a great reminder that we are holy and beloved, and they are among the first to love us and teach us.” Also speaking at Mass was Petter Ramme, who shared his thoughts about being a grandparent of three BSM Red Knights - two who are alums, Brady Giertsen ‘20, Peter ‘23, and one current student, Molly ‘25.

Ramme said, “BSM is welcoming to all, has great school spirit, and teaches values of leadership, service, and kindness, which is so important in today's world.” Like the other grandparents in attendance today, Ramme noted that he has, “seen first-hand the BSM mission being accomplished in the life of all three of my grandchildren.”

Grandparents’ Day is important to BSM values and traditions because it strengthens the connection between students and their grandparents, a sign of their role in the BSM community. “Many grandparents contribute to BSM to financially support the education of their grandchildren, and we want to honor these members of the BSM community,” Mary Fran O’Keefe, director of alumni relations noted. This day is one that both students and their families will remember as they share memories and love with each other at BSM.

The gift of grandparents is important to students because of their huge support in academics, sports, and life outside of school. Grandparents’ Day allows BSM to recognize these people for their hard work and dedication to loving their grandchildren. 
O’Keefe has put countless hours over the years into making this day special for everyone.

She reflected, “My favorite part of Grandparent’s Day is seeing the loving side of students who are so sweet to their grandparents.” The heartwarming experience was shared by hundreds this morning at BSM, creating memories the students and grandparents will cherish for a long time.
 

Click on the arrows below to scroll through a gallery of photos from the 2024 Grandparents Day event at BSM.