Past and present students of St. Joseph’s Convent have banded together to host an inaugural virtual sports meet scheduled for tomorrow.
Past students have banded under the name XCONvent. They have gone on to generate worldwide attention to the event using social media platforms.
Over the years, particularly in the eighties, the school’s annual sports meet has always been an event that has generated island-wide recognition.
With COVID-19 making the physical hosting of the games an impossibility organisers decided to do something different hence the invention of the term ‘XCONvent students’ as the idea of a virtual sports meet took hold.
One must register to participate as there are a number of virtual challenges on the day. One can either participate in all of the events or choose a particular one to register in. Each activity will earn points for the House.
The event will be nine-hour live stream commencing with an Opening Ceremony/Assembly from 8.00 a.m. sharp, on St. Joseph’s Convent Facebook page coordinated by School Principal, Sister Rufina Donate and will include the school’s anthem and pledge, as well as the athletes’ oath.
Based on the rules and points awarded, the event is expected to be at a very high standard. One of the organizers, Careen Tobierre spoke to this reporter at the weekend about how the event came to reality and how it will be run on the day.
According to Tobierre, “The event started off as an idea, between Deborah Edward and Saralee Williams, it happened in 2020 for SJC sports where we made a huge splash by posting pictures. The Houses at SJC is an integral part of our lives”.
She said that “on the first day when you enter the four walls at SJC, the first thing you meet is your House, your House becomes part of your life until you leave and remains part of your life until you die. The St.Joseph’s Convent remains part of your life as well.”
, “In order for a submission to be eligible as an entry in an event, the face of the representative(s) participating in the event MUST be visible so as to identify her/them as present or past pupils of SJC. Two participants from each house per event and points will be awards: 1st place – 100 points; 2nd place – 75 pts; 3 rd place – 50 pts; 4th place – 25 pts ▪ 5th place – 20 pts; 6th place – 15 pts; 7th place – 10 pts and 8th place – 5 points,” Tobierre said.
‘It is very important that we all like the event’s Facebook page as this is the official forum where our participation will be documented, submissions judged, points tallied and results given! House groups will be made private to facilitate collaboration amongst their respective members.
“As much as possible, participants are encouraged to hashtag their submissions accordingly, to distinguish our local SJC campus from the others which exist: #mariagorettisjcslu #blessedannesjcslu #sjcgirlsslu2021 #sttheresasjcslu #stannesjcslu and #smurfettesjcslu,” Tobierre said.
She explained the event as follows:
“The Marathon will start at 5.00 p.m. – Competing for points Open Event. Using their gadgets and smart phones, participants record the number of steps they have taken for the entire day. At 5:00 p.m. a screenshot of their day’s total is taken and uploaded to their respective Houses (Refer to the instructions outlined in point 3 to register in your House).
“A 30-minute grace period (5:00 to 5:30 p.m.) will be given to allow for eventualities such as upload and internet delays. Submissions received after this time will NOT be considered. The House with the most steps taken collectively will be awarded points accordingly.
“Race Events (11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.) – Competing for points. Submissions for these events are to be made in their respective albums located under the ‘Photos’ tab. If you don’t immediately see the race category in question, select ‘See All’ under the albums, then scroll down until you see it.
“The 400 Metre Race: (11.00 a.m.). Competitors simply post a picture/video of four different items which are in their House colour. Points will be awarded based on the order in which submissions are made. The first House to upload its photo or video wins. Don’t forget to hashtag.
“The 800 Metre Race: (12.00 noon) Post 8 different items in your House colour to the 800 Metre Race album.
“The 1,500 Metre Race: (1.00 p.m.) Upload 15 different items in your House colour to the 1,500 Metre Race album.
“The Relay Events: (3.00 p.m – 4.00 p.m.) – Competing for points. Submissions for these events are to be made in their respective albums located under the ‘Photos’ tab. If you don’t immediately see the race category in question, select ‘See All’ under the albums, then scroll down till you see it.
“The 4 x 100 m Relay: (3.00 p.m.) The format for this video can be similar to the ‘Don’t Rush’ video challenges, or a simple video with the passing of a baton between four athletes (Each House will decide what its baton should be.) Submissions are to be posted to the 4 x 100 meters Relay album
“The 4 x 800 metres Relay (4.00 p.m.). Similar format to the 4 x 100 m relay, except that eight athletes participate in this event. Submissions are to be uploaded to the 4 x 800 m Relay album.
“Multiple entries are allowed for these events. The judges will decide which Houses deserve this award and rank them accordingly. Points will be awarded based on promptness of post, creativity, and originality.
“De Original Can’t Touch This Costume event is slated for 2.00 p.m. Athletes get to showcase their Houses’ creativity with costumes, pageantry, showmanship. Go to the album of the same name and upload your pictures or videos. Multiple entries are allowed!
Though the judges will select the event’s winners, a People’s Choice bonus of 25 points will be awarded to the submission with the most likes. Anyone can vote in this category, including non-Convent attendees.
Meanwhile, the ZOOM Party, while the teams await the results. The Access Link will be posted at the end of the day’s events. The winners will be announced by the Chief Judge via LIVE Facebook streaming from the page.
The official ‘Cha Cha’ slide song must be played during the Zoom after party!
