Salisbury Academy students honored their most grand loved ones Friday with a program filled with love, during the academy’s annual Grandpersons’ Day event.
“Every year we host this program to honor those special people in our students’ lives they think are grand,” said Head of School Diane Fisher. “Many of our guests are grandparents, but just as often they are special friends and neighbors.”
The academy’s campus was filled with special guests who enjoyed the musical program “All You Need Is Love,” lead by music teacher Tashara McNair.
Guest speaker the Rev. Rod Kerr, minister of education at First Baptist Church in Salisbury, shared with the audience a recipe for families. “You get out a mixing bowl of family tradition,” Kerr said, with a large silver bowl one hand. He explained that you start with a large package of patience, add two cups of kindness, and blend in three tablespoons of time for talking and togetherness. He said you then add a pinch of advice, commenting that a little goes a long way. He continued that you add a cup of honesty, a good measure of respect, a teaspoon of trust, a dollop of empathy and finish with a scoop of faith. He added that you put the mixture in a large pan of commitment, coated heavily with forgiveness and add icing to dissolve any regret and garish with memories. He closed by saying, “Cook it on medium heat of reality and slice it into daily, bite size pieces. Serve it with a glass of good will.”
Following Kerr’s address, students sang songs, acted out skits and recited poems during a performance, including “All You Need Is Love,” “That’s Amore,” “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” and “I Just Called To Say I Love You.”
“Grandpersons’ Day has always been one of my favorite days because students, faculty and administrators work together to allow students to honor very special guests with a program showcasing their talents,” Fisher said. “Reverend Kerr captured the day’s purpose perfectly with his warm message.”
“I was so impressed by the joy and excitement of learning that is evident all over the school,” said grandparent Lynn Leonard. “The classrooms are filled with creativity and the students’ work. The staff encourages the students to express themselves. There is such pride in the school. We certainly felt loved from the great program presented from the theme ‘All you Need is Love.’ ”
“The quality of the instructors and the facility are top notch,” said grandperson Rick McCombs. “The sense of community and pride exhibited by the students and staff was out of the roof.”