After more than a year of questions on what NDP could do to make our traditions come to life amidst a Pandemic, Penny Queen 2021 came around the corner with the same concerns. These concerns all were put to rest the second we saw our four Penny Queens come in their elaborate costumes Tuesday morning. Our Penny Queens this year were Izzy White (’25), Aleena Correal (’24), Chloe Lacanfora (’23), and Kayla Schatz (’22).

This year Penny Queen supported a variety of valuable causes very close to our school’s heart. The school did so with this year’s “Stuff-A-Bus”. By filling a blazer bus with countless items for different organizations, students were able to help CCAP and the NDP Alumnae Association. The event is in memory of Jackie Buedel ’73 to live on her legacy through this service. These amazing organizations included the Caroline Center, Sharebaby, and Mother Mary Lange Catholic School. By donating items, students were able to support the local community, contribute points to their own class’s Penny Queen score, and able to dress down for Halloween. The experience was all around a positive one that got students in the spirit of giving.

In this spirit of supporting different organizations, our Penny Queens paved the way with eagerness through the different traditions and customs in this exciting week. Perhaps the most essential question is what Penny Queen would be without the tradition of dressing up in crazy costumes! The costumes this year ranged from a leprechaun to Vector from “Despicable Me”. Kayla, our senior Penny Queen, showed her hidden talent of paper macheting as both Megamind and Voldemort. The Penny Queens wore these costumes with pride throughout the day and during lunch as they gathered money, along with their Penny Princesses, by selling delicious foods. The costumes, as they do each year, show our Penny Queens’ dedication and enthusiasm for both their class and for the causes that the week supports.

On top of the spectacular costumes, the school continued the Kindness challenge where students posted sticky notes of their acts of kindness throughout the week. The sticky notes for each class grew tremendously each day, proving to be a close competition among classes. This allowed students to show how simple acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day. This provided a strong, empowering message while still contributing to each class score.

Of course, Penny Queen was full of surprises. On Thursday morning, the school gathered near Yeardley Field, unaware of the events the morning would hold. To everyone’s surprise, our four penny queens completed a rigorous race where students cheered for their class as their penny queen scootered past them. This surprise led each student to start their days with good spirits for the rest of the Penny Queen activities ahead. Additionally, the Penny Queens surprised us as they do annually with crazy dares. Aleena, our sophomore Penny Queen, gave a live performance of “In Summer” as Olaf in “Frozen”. The surprises this year kept the whole school body on their feet and kept the spark of excitement in Penny Queen alive.

Our Penny Queens this year did a fantastic job in leading the school to donate not only for the purpose of winning the honorable Penny Queen banner but also for the benefit of the community. All the students cannot wait until next year to see what each leader has in store for the school. Good luck to everyone as we find out whose class is the champion of Penny Queen!