Held on Monday, April 27, the afternoon brought students, faculty, staff, and families onto campus for time that was intentionally unstructured and, most importantly, joyful. It was a chance to connect beyond the classroom: students catching up with friends, 9th, 10th, and 11th graders spending some of their final days with senior classmates, and families experiencing the everyday life of the school. 

For the Class of 2026, the day carried added significance. Donning their college sweatshirts, seniors moved through the afternoon with a growing awareness that their time at Marymount is coming to a close. Surrounded by the people who have supported them over the last four years—from the teachers who have mentored them, to the college counselors who worked tirelessly to ensure they met their fall deadlines, their parents who provided support and rides to every sports game, concert, and event, and the underclassmen who look up to their example—the BBQ became one of the first moments when the transition from student to alumna began to feel real. 

At the same time, the event reflected the broader Marymount community. Younger students saw what lies ahead, faculty and staff saw the impact of their students’ hard work, and families experienced the environment their daughters are part of each day. It was a reminder that the Marymount experience is shaped not just by what happens in the classroom, but by the relationships that support it. 

As the school year comes to a close, the All-School BBQ serves as a reminder of what holds that experience together. Beyond the events and achievements, it’s the relationships built over time across classrooms, teams, and grade levels that define it. Long after students leave our Gateway to Marymount, those connections continue to shape and support them—rooted in moments like these.