Ivy Day Dedication

Below is a video documenting the transformation of the EGHS Courtyard, as well as the speech given at Ivy Day 2015 to open the new seating/reflection area that was created by the East Greenwich High School community in memory of Mrs. Carrie Macsymowicz.

Garden and Seating Area in Memory of Carrie Macsymowicz

We have a special addition to this year’s Ivy Day ceremony. To me, there could be no more appropriate time, manner, place, or people to be surrounded by to formally unveil a special space that was created by members of our community to honor a woman who left an impression on all who knew her.  To your back and left you will find what I call a “small place of remarkable”. A place that was until recently, just a unused, overlooked corner in a school courtyard. However, when individuals come together, united by a cause, by friendship, by love, they can turn overlooked into remarkable.

To those who knew her, who she greeted, those she helped, know that Mrs. Carrie Mac had that same power. She could turn the average day into a remarkable one. Her selflessness and caring for anyone and everyone she came in touch with, along with the strength she fought her battles with cancer with, always left me wondering “How doe she do that”? and wondering if there were any way I could have just a little bit of her personality and constant joy for life.

It is in this vein that the community has come together to honor the legacy of Mrs. Mac and impart her love for the EGHS community to the EGHS community for years to come. Friends, family, community and students quickly realized that creating a space to: enjoy the outdoors, take time for reflection, read a book, have a conversation, or teach a meaningful lesson all symbolized what Mrs. Mac loved about EGHS.

We believe that members of our community have created a space within EGHS that when people engage with it, they are sure to love. Just like Carrie Mac.

We are also grateful that many members of her family and some of her closest friends are here to share this day with us.

Special thanks go out to all in the community who donated funds, supplies, time, effort and energy. And at this time please join me a round of applause for the efforts and love of friends, family, community, students and Mrs. Carrie Mac to whom EGHS will always be grateful for allowing us to know her.

Thank you.