Farewell With Joy: The 2026 Candidates Celebrate
Term III is special in many ways, especially for the candidate classes—P7, S4 and S6. It is the term that sees them off. No sooner does the term begin than the candidates start counting down the days; time is slowly, but surely, catching up with them.
It has been a tradition at Ocer to celebrate the gift each student has been to the institution before the day of reckoning comes. This year, Saturday, September 19, was the day.
Preparations for the day began early. Purchases were made, decorations were put up, and talent-show performances were perfected days before. On the very day of the celebration, all was set for the party to proceed smoothly. And smoothly did it proceed.
In the morning, the candidates had time to engage in what is formally known as Family Talk. Entertainingly, individuals share moving, funny and memorable personal stories before the rest of the class. In this moment of fun, judgement is suspended. The class comes together to listen, laugh, remember, and remind itself of how, as a family, it has made it this far.
The Family Talk was followed by a Holy Mass celebrated by the Headteacher, Fr. Meyo Obwanda, SJ. For the Mass, the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth was chosen as the Gospel. In view of the great things the Lord had done for them, the students were invited to join Mother Mary in the Magnificat:
My soul glorifies the Lord,and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…
Immediately after Mass, the candidates enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, which was followed by some moving entertainment. Here, candidates, either as individuals or in groups, rose to the occasion and demonstrated, with considerable excellence, how they have matured—not only academically, but in other dimensions as well. They went beyond academic excellence; they showed that there was more to them than books, examinations and the regular battle with tests (AOIs).
Interestingly, talents from the continuing classes were also welcomed. Hitherto, the day had remained rather ordinary and uneventful for the continuing students, who had been asked to stay out of the vibe, for theirs was not the kingdom of partying, but of studies. On this occasion, however, the few with some performance to showcase were given permission to enter the kingdom of celebration.
Exhausted but still in the mood to party, the candidates gathered again after supper and listened to a few speeches before the whole venue was transformed into a dancing platform. At this point, even those candidates who had hitherto remained largely unmoved and motionless rose to the occasion. They jumped, threw their legs and arms about, and shook their bellies and shoulders—all in the noble attempt to make the day one to be remembered for years to come.
And so, as the music played and the candidates danced away, the 2026 farewell party came to a fitting end: with full stomachs, tired bodies, happy hearts and, hopefully, a few memories that will survive long after the examinations are over.
