Newsletter November 1997

Those Schoolgirl Days ......

When some folks say those schoolgirl days
Will never more be found -
We'd like to whisper with a smile -
No! No! They're still around!

When the school bell rings, we need not run
But that's nto to say there carn't be fun
Beneath that glorious Sophia sun!

Yes, there's work to do for me and you
Not Biology or Math -
But loads of interacting -
Be we, young or old or fat?

So come all you Soga-ites -
Don't wait for gilt invites -
Let's think of what we all can do
To scale those soaring heights

This communication has been rather tardy in -making it's appearance - the reasons are many, the excuses numerous and varied ! The Sophia spirit is always willing - the flesh perhaps weakened by the ponderous and sometimes twin responsibilities of careers and motherhood and generally, well, the house ! Yes, fellow Soga-ites - those days of expecting mama to clean up after us are gone - we now have to look after ourselves and many more !

An association of girls having passed the portals of Sophia - took long in actually taking some shape. Efforts had been made over the last couple of decades by several enthusiasts. Alas , they came to nought - not for want of enthusiasm. Looking into this very recent past, we have this to learn - an entire ocean of sterling Sophia tradittion in the form of thousands of girls who have left her protective umbrella - will be wasted if not harnessed in some way. It is with this in mind, that this newsletter goes out to reach as many of us as is possible within the existing framework of the association.

When in February 1996, Sr.Kripa - the present Principal called for a get-together, we, to use her words, 'celebrated our presence at the good old hall - with fun, snacks and music.' A very worthwhile effort for, the meeting threw up the committee for the year 1996 - 1997. This went on to organise an evening of fun and Saturday, the 14th of September '96 , was merely an opportunity to catch up with the past and make it a part of the present. 'Sophia Nite' was certainly not an end in itself, the chief aim being to increase awareness of the Association itself. With good food, gifts., and games thrown in, it was quite definitely an evening to remember - for many reasons (Ha ! Ha ! ).

And now getting back to the task ahead - the purpose of this letter is to let you know that it's time the Association made it's presence felt all over again - to plan future events. The Committee has to it's credit, drafted a Constitution which will be made available to anybody interested in it's contents. The Committee has also been trying to formulate a complete list of members with addresses - where each member will have a number and communication will become far more simple. Considering all this work has to be done in spare time, it is not surprising that some members have not received their receipts. We hope to complete this task in a short while. If you have not received your receipt, or your name is missing from the member's list, you may please contact any telephone number given at the end of this letter so that the matter may immediately be attended to.

Members of SOGA, we now need to talk to you about a matter which has touched us all deeply. Many of you would remember Adele Rodricks who studied in Sophia's and then went on to be a PT instructor for a while a our school. Adele, being a top athlete, this was her wonderful way of giving something back to the school that raised her. Very tragically, an accident suddenly cut her life short, leaving her little daughter and her family quite bereft. The beautiful part of the story is that a gesture from the family moved all of us very deeply. They donated substantially towards the benefit of needy children in the Opportunity School in memory of Adele - surely, this is a splendid way to keep her flag flying high. We record our appreciation of their thoughtfulness and wish to state here that Mrs. Cynthia Rodricks, Adele’s mother, permitted us to publicise this little known fact only if we felt that it would inspire other such acts of generosity. We took the liberty of deciding that we should help such goodness to spread it’s light all over - our world sorely needs such a movement. May we sign off now with the ardent hope that SOGA will grow in strength and solidarity, so as we may return, to our Alma Mater, a little of the abundance we did receive in this place we still know as home.

But before we reach for the stars, we have yet to get our act together and attend to such mundane jobs as getting our records straight, It’s bye for the moment - you will hear from us when it’s time for the Soga banner to make it’s appearance once again, in the near future.

In the meanwhile, all ideas and suggestions are more than welcome and may be directed to: SOGA, Sophia High School, Old Girl’s Association, No.70, Palace Road, Bangalore 560 001.

Looking forward to seeing you all in the near future.

SOGA Committee

Have >>You Been Here,<< Dont Miss it!

All SOGA members are invited to Sophia High School to attend:
The Golden Jubilee Inaugral Mass on Saturday, Jan 17th '98 at 5 p.m.
The Cultural Programme on Sunday, Jan 18th '98 at 6 p.m.
The Annual General Body Meeting on Saturday, February 14, '98 at 4.30 p.m.