St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated each year on March 17, is widely known for its festive green clothes, Irish-themed decorations, and family traditions. At school, both students and staff take part in the holiday in their own unique ways, mixing their personal routines with some fun cultural appreciation. Senior Katelyn Gonzalez and staff member Mrs. Mowery shared how they celebrate the holiday, what traditions they value most, and why they believe St. Patrick’s Day continues to hold importance.
For Mrs. Mowery, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday she eagerly anticipates every year. Rather than attending large public events, she prefers a quieter, more personal tradition centered around themed programming and music.
“I love St. Patrick’s Day. One of the things I always look forward to doing is watching QVC. It’s similar to home television, but every year in March they theme it around St. Patrick’s Day. Each year, they have specifically tailored items to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, such as necklaces and imported waters and objects, so that is my favorite part,” Mowery said.
In addition to watching themed shows, Mowery also enjoys listening to Irish music as part of her yearly celebration.
“Sirius Radio has an Irish radio station where they play all Irish music for 24 hours a day. It’s definitely a really special tradition along with watching QVC,” Mowery said.
Gonzalez, on the other hand, celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in a more social and modern style. Spending time out shopping and enjoying food is how she celebrated this year.
“I think I went to the mall. I shopped for a while, and I ate. I bought a $50 skirt that I have not worn yet. I also went to Auntie Ann’s, which was really good. And I ate orange rice. It’s my favorite thing to eat on St. Patrick’s Day,” Gonzalez said.
When it comes to favorite traditions, both Gonzalez and Mowery shared different perspectives. For Gonzalez, one of the simplest customs stands out the most.
“I think my favorite St. Patrick’s Day tradition is wearing green. It’s really awesome,” Gonzalez said.
Wearing green is one of the most widely known traditions associated with the holiday, symbolizing Irish pride and helping participants avoid the torturing pinch from others. Mowery’s traditions, however, are rooted more deeply in culture. While she enjoys her yearly routines, she also values the bigger meaning behind the holiday.
“I think it’s probably nationally bringing a community together, especially when you don’t live in Ireland, or if it’s someplace that you enjoy reading about and studying, it’s tapping into your Irish roots and ancestry. It’s kind of similar to a Renaissance fair,” Mowery said.
Her perspective describes how St. Patrick’s Day can serve as a bridge between different cultures, allowing people to celebrate Irish traditions regardless of where they live. Gonzalez also highlighted some of the visual and entertaining aspects of the holiday that she has seen online.
“Online, I see the Irish do this thing where people run down the street wearing traditional Irish outfits…I love wearing leprechaun stuff,” Gonzalez said.
These lively celebrations and costumes contribute to the fun and playful atmosphere that many people associate with the day.
When asked whether St. Patrick’s Day should continue to be celebrated, both interviewees agreed that the holiday still holds significant value today. Mowery expressed strong support for its continuation, pointing to both its historical and cultural significance.
“No, it’s a wonderful holiday! Of course, it should be celebrated. Not only was St. Patrick a role model, but he is quintessentially a symbol for freedom. I have a lot of Scottish-Irish ancestry, so it is also very important to me, and I feel that the holiday is very purely fun. They’ve got beautiful music coming from Ireland, which is also an important aspect to bring awareness to,” Mowery said.
Gonzalez offered a more lighthearted reason for keeping the tradition alive.
“I mean, I like pinching people, so I think it should be celebrated,” Gonzalez said.
From meaningful cultural connections to simple traditions like wearing green or sharing some laughs with friends, St. Patrick’s Day continues to be celebrated in many different ways. Whether through music, shopping trips, or festive clothing, both students and staff find their own reasons to feel a little lucky each March.
