Mass of the Holy Spirit

“Ah-Ahnn, Angel the scholastic scholar!” Was the first of the praises and kudos I received from my peers during the Award-giving part of the Mass of The Holy Spirit Ceremony.
I looked around in confusion, “I don’t get it, what did I do?” I asked one of my appraisers. She, Maseh Abraka, then told me that I was one of the three persons who were nominated for the Most Improved award for the 2017/2018 session. At first, I was surprised, I wonder why I didn’t even hear when my name was called. I also wondered how I even got nominated for the award in the first place. I was quite happy, happy that my improved grades noticed by the administration. I waited eagerly for the award winner to be called and was slightly disappointed when I saw a different person walking out to receive the award (and that wonderful cash prize), but that did not erase the new sense of confidence that I suddenly now feel.
The Mass of the Holy Spirit is one of the two most important ceremonies in the College and, as far as I am concerned it goes beyond the awards, as most students might see it, but it is the marking of a new session. It is a way of commissioning the whole school into the new session and committing this session into God’s hands. Parts of the ceremony, like the award-giving section, encourages students to strive and do well in their academics.
The award I was nominated for is a new, introduced for the first time during this Mass of the Holy Spirit, and just to have been nominated was a feat for me. It caused me to want to strive higher and higher and not just get nominated for an award, but to actually receive them.
Angel, AHIA. Class of 2020.