Remember, remember, she who left in December.

Alas, it was with a party that we masked our sorrow. by Flavia Sagone

It is with great grief and sadness that we bid farewell to our now ex-preside, Maria Luisa Vighi Miletto, on Friday December 16th. “Despite the festive atmosphere, it was a dark time in my life” a student gravely stated.
In fact, all throughout the ‘Festa per la Preside’, laughter and applause could be heard, cut in between by occasional sombre faces as kids and adults remembered the reason for which they were present. Numerous students recited, sang and acted different things, all ending with a “We’ll miss you!” and “Have a nice life”. 

"Despite the festive atmosphere, it was a dark time in my life"

The student body, consisting of both young children and young adults, demonstrated what they’d learned so far at our special school through songs and poems in different languages (Italian, English, French, German and Chinese); small theatrical skits by the gymnasts, basketball players, rugby players and, of course, theatre group; and simple words of thanks by the math, chess and newspaper (that’s us!) groups.
Our dear Signora Preside couldn’t seem to wipe off her smile for even a minute as she was happily being suffocated by the masses of sweet smelling flowers she’d been given. The whole event had been a surprise for her: she’d walked into the auditorium and found hundreds of eyes smiling expectantly at her.
Most memorable to the eyes of all, I’d say, was Giulia Tartaglia’s speech, for she - with simple, carefully chosen words -  managed to stun the room into silence.
But what I found most memorable had been something unplanned, something that, unfortunately, only a few managed to witness. As the schools’ orchestra professionally filled the auditorium with sound, the Preside walked by a group of girls, who were quietly hugging themselves with cold, and without hesitation lay her scarf over the gymnasts as a blanket.
Not only did she continuously give to our school for years on end, she didn’t stop until the very last minute.