On Friday, November 18, St. Mark Catholic School 6th grade classes transformed from their traditional navy blue and khaki uniforms to an assembly of flat caps and kennel/gable headdresses, velvet jerkins, simar robes, puffed shirts, funnel sleeves, upper and nether hose, large hip dresses, wrist ruffles and duckbill shoes. After all, Renaissance clothing followed suit with all other types of creative expression during this age of rebirth.
In order to enhance their understanding of the European Renaissance, each student assumed the role of a prominent Renaissance figure and attended a ball given to honor and to celebrate their character’s achievements. As students learned through their research, the period of 1450 - 1600 saw an explosion of inventions and discoveries in science and the arts.

Christopher Columbus came to America, Michelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel and William Shakespeare was writing his famous plays. Leonardo da Vinci was considered a true Renaissance man because he was a painter, architect, inventor, scientist, poet, musician, and teacher. Giovanni Palestrina was one the period's most important composers who wrote mostly religious works and Masses. The musical Mass was an important part of the Catholic Church's religious service. Each part of the celebration would have a different musical number and was sung in Latin and performed in this order: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei.

Renaissance figures attending the ball had an interview with the King and Queen played by Social Studies Teachers John Thomasson and Kathy Louis. Students discussed the importance of their figure’s achievements using props, costumes and presentation posters.

Dancing was a favorite pastime during the Renaissance. Educated people were expected to know how to dance, which is no exception for students at St. Mark. The highlight of the ball was the Pavan, a slow dance in an even meter where students walked in pairs. Visitors and guests were in attendance and cookies and punch served.