Photo Provided by Mia Kennedy ’24

After the show, my friends and I were able to meet up and take a cute group photo!

This past weekend, I experienced my final Red and Gold. Although I won’t be covered in hairspray or singing at the top of my lungs ever again, I know many others will. Over the next few years, there will be many incoming freshmen who may not know much about our sacred school tradition or don’t fully understand what goes into a Red and Gold weekend. Because of that, I figured I would take the time to detail what a Red and Gold weekend may look like for a Rosary Royal.

Thursday Night:

7:30 p.m. – Gold Script, Drama, and Stage Tech all hang out the night before. We eat dinner, run through the show, and simply express our gratitude for all we have accomplished over the last two months. We all eventually go home to get some rest for the next two days.

8:30 p.m. – I get home, shower, and put my hair in what feels like a million braids. As an off-stage captain, I was given an opportunity to do a cameo in a drill that required crimped hair. Rather than buying an entire crimper, I decide to just sleep in braids and pray that it will look okay. After this, however, I quickly go to bed.

Friday:

4:15 a.m. – I attempt to wake up to give myself ample time to get ready. I promptly fall back asleep.

5:15 a.m. – I wake up again, and this time, I actually manage to get out of bed and start getting ready. I take out my braids and do my makeup. Because of the lights on the stage, everyone has to put on a lot more makeup than we would wear in day-to-day life and, needless to say, I’ve never worn more blush in my life.

7:35 a.m. – After leaving half an hour prior, I finally make it to the Servite Theatre and finish getting ready.

8:30 a.m. – One tradition of Red and Gold is that both teams will perform for the other before the Friday matinee. It allows us to perform one more time before we’re judged, and we’re also able to cheer on our friends who are on the other team. This year, the Gold team performs for the Red team first, and then the Red team performs for us afterward.

11:45 a.m. – Lunch time! I am able to see all of my friends who were on the Red team and congratulate them for a truly wonderful show while also having the freedom to finally talk about Gold’s.

1:00 p.m. – The Gold team gathers in the gym while Red heads to the theatre to begin the first performance. We take group photos, curl our hair, touch up our makeup, and run through everything one more time.

3:15 p.m. – We go inside the theatre and perform the first of four shows. Most of the girls, if they’re not on stage, hang out in the pit during the show (underneath the stage). I, on the other hand, help our camera crew during all four shows to get the right angles for the DVDs. Christina Vaughan ‘26 and I tell them where entrances and exits would be, when dances would come on stage, etc. Christina puts it best, “It was really fun to get to watch our show from a distance and the camera people were really fun, so it was definitely entertaining. I also didn’t have to deal with the chaos of the pit and the drama room, which was a plus too.”

4:30 p.m. – After we finished our first performance, my sister and I go home to touch up our hair and makeup, eat some dinner, and ultimately try to regain some energy for the rest of the night.

7:00 p.m. – And… we’re back at Servite! With Gold performing first, we head to the theatre. Once we finish the show, I realize that we are already halfway done.

9:00 p.m. – Because we performed first, we are thankfully able to go home earlier than expected. I get home, shower, braid my hair again, and instantly fall asleep.

Saturday:

8:45 a.m. – I don’t know how or why I wake up so early, but I do, so I just take a bit more time to get ready and recharge before I leave. We don’t have to be at Servite until noon, so I have more time to get ready and eat the yummiest breakfast burrito I’ve ever had.

12:00 p.m. – I go back to the gym, preparing for another two performances. We once again run through everything and ultimately hype ourselves up.

2:15 p.m. – We head to the theatre to perform. With a whole night of rest behind us, we’re as energetic as ever, and we all hope the judges will see that.

3:00 p.m. – Once our performance is over, we once again drive home to rest and recharge. However, because we are leaving at 3:00 rather than 4:30, I have even more time to sit on my couch and do absolutely nothing.

7:00 p.m. – We’re back in the theatre for our final performance, and my final ever Red and Gold. All of our hard work is almost over and, as soon as that curtain comes down on that final night, I simply begin to sob. I was and still am so grateful for the trust I was given throughout this year of Red and Gold and for the support I received throughout it all, and I am sad to see it finished.

9:00 p.m. – Unfortunately, we have to wait in the gym while the Red team performed. While I thought I would be a nervous mess, it wasn’t too bad. I know there is literally nothing we can do at this point, and so I think that at least gave me some sense of calm… for now.

10:45 p.m. – Finally, the White Team walks up onto the stage with their clipboards and stoic faces, ready to announce the various commendations and Best Overall Show. I am terrified, as in, literally shaking, yet it ended up being one of the greatest moments of my four years at Rosary Academy. Not only do I get a script commendation, but Gold ends up with a victory. I’ve never been more happy and proud of not only myself but everyone around me.

1:30 a.m. – I finally get home after celebrating with my family and others who were there that night. I am exhausted, but I don’t end up falling asleep till 3:45 in the morning (thanks, Daylight Savings).

On Sunday and Monday, I do absolutely nothing besides lie in bed and recover from such a tiring weekend. But, although it was tiring, it was so insanely rewarding. To anyone who may be participating in their first Red and Gold in a year or two, don’t be scared! It’s so much fun and, as long as you pace yourself and go in with an open mind, you’ll ultimately enjoy the weekend as a result.