by Bea Peterson
St. Mary’s Cemetery was abuzz with activity Friday, May 7, from 10 am to 2 pm as seventh grade students from Hoosick Falls Central School clambered to wash markers, rake and sweep the grounds and/or research the history of the people buried around them. Directed by Cemetery Manager Peg Bakaitis, volunteers Jack Bakaitis and Wayne Houghton, groundskeeper Jerry McAuliffe
and gravestone restorer Joe Ferrannini the ninety students went about their chores with enthusiasm, wanting to try every activity. It was said some of the least enthusiastic in the classroom were the most enthusiastic in the field. All of their teachers, Christian Farley, Gina Harrison, Bruce Bailey, Christian Marsh, Kelli Brennan, Susan Herrington and Wendy Davidson, worked with them through some part of the session. Many were there for the whole time. “It was a great day,” said math teacher Gina Harrison. “The teachers agreed it was the best field trip we have taken this year. And we plan to do it again next year.”
Perhaps the extremely warm weather, the bright blue skies and the lush green grass and blooming flowers added to the luster of the day. Whatever, teachers were heartened to learn some of the students returned to the cemetery on their own on Saturday to help and learn some more.
