Saint Louis weather in May is always unpredictable, but a full day of rain Saturday couldn’t dampen the spirits of our wonderful Class of 2025 May Day participants on Sunday!
The young women and their families gathered at Lilly’s Field for this time-honored and beloved tradition that began in 1912 when the first May Queen was crowned at a Maypole dance held in the School gymnasium. Over the years, annual fetes were held at various locations around St. Louis, including the Washington University Chancellor’s Garden and Forest Park’s Municipal (Muny) Opera Stage. In 2000, the children and grandchildren of alumna Lilly Busch Hermann ’41 arranged for the renovation of the May Field on the MICDS campus, and it was rechristened “Lilly’s Field” in her memory. Since then, senior girls—joined by fourth, eighth, and 11th-grade girls—have celebrated spring in a beautiful location. Younger sisters of seniors serve as Ribbon Presenters.
After a lovely entrance to The Gift to Be Simple from Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland, the juniors performed their traditional Daisy Chain dance to Carillon from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet. The seniors then entered the field to Fest March from Tannhauser by Richard Wagner, where they were presented with a sprig of ivy by the juniors, signifying the graduate’s living link with Mary Institute and Country Day School.
Fourth graders performed a beautiful scarf dance to Divertimento No. 11 in D Major, K. 251: Andantino by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and eighth graders led a ribbon dance to Snow Maiden, Ver. B Act: III Dance of the Tumblers by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, where they used their ribbons to weave small-scale maypoles. The seniors conducted their promenade to Simple Gifts by Alison Kraus and Yo-Yo Ma. Finally, the seniors commenced the official weaving of the main maypole to the music of Fantasia on Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Click here to view the complete May Day program.
This year, the senior participants crowned Reagan Hamilton ’25 as their May Queen, surrounding her with love and laughter at the conclusion. Carrie Clennon ’26 and Laurion Nicholson ’26 served as the coronation pages. Student Council Co-Head Lilly Loeb ’25 crowned Hamilton.
Many thanks to May Day Director Emily Huber ’89 and Upper School Dean and Director of Student Activities Nicole Trueman-Shaw for their care and dedication to this meaningful event, and to Sydney Brockman, Associate Director of Events, and the many behind-the-scenes staffers who ensured the event ran smoothly. It was a wonderful day for all!