People
walk for many reasons. Some walk for pleasure, some for exercise, yet
others for records and glory. There are also walks, especially by
schools to support various projects or to commemorate events, but
rarely do we hear of a Walk for a noble cause such as the renovation
of a school’s chapel.
That
is exactly what St. Peter’s did last Sunday, 13th May,
when they turned Galle Road between Wellawatte Junction and Dickmon’s
Road into a veritable carnival.
St.
Peter’s which celebrated its 90th year of existence is
credited with being the pioneers of Walking for a cause by anyone in
Sri Lanka, when the 1st ever Walk (titled Walkathon) was
held in 1986.
The
day began with Holy Mass concelebrated by the Rector, Rev. Fr. Travis
Grabiel, old Peterite priests and other priests from the College and
the Walk proper was officially started off with a special prayer and
hoisting of the College flag.
The
organising committee planned for this Walk with their previous
experience but all predictions were proven wrong when with an
unprecedented response, Peterites rallied round their alma mater and
Walked in their thousands. There were boys from year 1 to year 13,
old boys from those who had just left school to great grandfathers
and there were mothers and sisters of the Peterites too. Teachers,
minor staff, the PTA and the Welfare Society all were behind the
organisers supporting the event and joining in the Walk. There were
even Elephants and horses that were included, not to mention a cycle
parade and cartoon characters, to add colour to the event.
The
Walk also saw Old Boys from the quadrangular schools, namely St.
Anthony’s, St. Benedict’s & St. Joseph’s and their sister
school, Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya joining the Peterites .
While
there were bound to be some irritated motorists on Galle Road that
day, others enjoyed the scene, seeing so many frolicking while
supporting their school.
The
fun did not end with the procession returning to the school. The
College ground had been turned into a carnival ground. There was
music by “Black” and games of skill, bouncers for children, eats
and drinks and ice cream aplenty in addition to other entertainment
that had been lined up.
Being
citizens who take their civic responsibility seriously, even though
this was a fun event, they ensured that garbage was collected and
disposed so that the road users are not inconvenienced.
A very
happy and beaming Rohan Victoria, Chairman of the Walk committee and
an equally elated President of the Old Boys Union, Dr. Neilhan
Samaranayake were seen at the end of the Walk, mingling with those
enjoying the fun and thanking those who participated.
Peterites
must be a proud lot for having conducted such a successful Walk for
such a noble cause.
Algi
Wijewickrema
Secretary
– Peterite Walk Committee
From Newspaper some captures:-
Posted by Shemara Anthony on Facebook
From Newspaper some captures:-
The walk of St. Peters College was held today at Bambalapitiya to celebrate 90 years of the College. Several students, teachers and old boys as well as parents took part in the walk which commenced from the College premises. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
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