MICDS Welcomes Spring With May Pole Dance

On Saturday, students, families, faculty members and other community members gathered at Lilly's Field on the  campus for the annual May Day event.

The event, which has its roots in European pagan rituals, became a tradition at MICDS starting in 1912.

"I love how the school is holding true to traditions," said Liz Parker, mother of one of the seniors.

The event featured dances performed by the female fourth-grade, eighth-grade, junior and senior students at MICDS. It was coordinated by physical education teacher Summer Beasley for the fifth year in a row.

"It wouldn't be possible without everyone's help," Beasley said.

Beasley said the group began practicing for this year's May Day at the beginning of March.

"I think it went really well," Beasley said. "Some of these girls had never even performed in front of an audience before today."

Each of the dances were performed around the May Pole, which was adorned with lilac, blue and white ribbons to match the dresses worn by the students. The fourth-grade girls wore identical lilac dresses, while the eighth-graders wore identical navy dresses.

The seniors were each decked out in different flowing white or off-white gowns of their own choosing. The juniors wore long, green skirts with collared white shirts and pink sashes at their waists.

After the dancing was done and the ribbons were staked from the May Pole to the ground at Lilly's Field, the crowning of the May Queen took place. Beasley said the queen was chosen by a vote among the seniors.

This year, Taylor Osuji was the students' choice, at a tremendous shock to her. She teared up as she discovered she was the chosen one. After she curtsied for the crowd, the rest of the seniors flocked around her to offer their congratulations, signifying the end of the event.

Ladue-Frontenac Patch caught up with Osuji just after her crowning, where she remarked that she was "beyond excited." Her well-wishers, including adviser Tom Dlugosch and godmother Rochelle Walker, also came up to share their happiness in seeing her crowned May Queen.

"I am overwhelmed with joy to see her blossom into this beautiful young woman," Walker said.

Check Patch's photo gallery for a look at everything that went on at the MICDS May Day, and you can check out a video of the students' performances here.