Special to the Register by Father Kenneth Borowiak
WAVERLY (SNR) – The 20 students of Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children in Waverly received a visit and Easter baskets from the eighth grade class of St. Michael School in Lincoln April 11.
In December the two groups of students met for a celebration of Christmas. The Easter visit was the idea of the St. Michael eighth grade.
“We wanted Easter to be very special for Villa Marie students,” said Hannah Swanson, one of the visit planners. “We know how much they enjoy receiving gifts,” she said.
Each of the Villa Marie students received an Easter basket consisting of bubbles, Pop It fidget toys, Easter eggs full of candy, sidewalk chalk and a card.
Another member of the planning committee, Blair Bergevin said the class’s goal was to share the joy of Easter with Villa Marie students.
“We want to share the gift of Easter with our friends and celebrate the joy the risen Jesus,” she said.
Sister Jeanette Rerucha, M.S. principal of Villa Marie expressed the gratitude of staff and students.
“I love the relationship that has been established between St. Michael’s and Villa Marie, and I’m very grateful to Mrs. Rockey for continuing it,” she said.
“Our students were thrilled to receive the Easter baskets from the St. Michael’s students. They also enjoyed having some recess time together, and it was beautiful to witness the students from the two schools interacting with each other in such a positive way,” she added.
The Marian Sisters have lived with the students 24 hours a day and staffed the home and school since its opening 58 years ago.
St. Michael students funded the project from a “dollar day” the student council sponsored. A dollar day is when students can bring a $1 donation for a non-uniform day.
St. Michael eighth-grader Nick Cubas described his class’s purpose for the Easter visit.
“We wanted to make the Villa Marie students to be happy celebrating Easter by receiving gifts,” he said.
