Grand Vikings Days Honor Special Bond Between Grandparents and Students

By Caroline Jackson
St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School Junior

Grand Vikings Days are a cherished annual tradition at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, giving grandparents the opportunity to join their grandchildren for Mass, enjoy a pastry reception, and visit classrooms. As a special tribute for the 2025 Grand Vikings Days, I was given the honor of documenting this unique experience from the wisest points of view. Through interviewing our school’s finest ‘Glam-maws’, ‘Nanas’, ‘Grand-daddys’, and ‘Pops’, my mission was to find out what exactly makes this celebration of grandparents so special. 

The first set of grandparents I spoke with had quite a unique story. Though neither Nancy Sorrell (‘Nana’) nor her husband,Tommy Sorrell (‘Grandaddy’) attended St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, their son, Brandon, and daughter-in-law, Raina, did. Brandon and Raina met in middle school and rekindled their relationship in college. The couple is married and has one daughter, Clara, a current Pre-K3 student at her parents’ alma mater. According to Nana and Grandaddy Sorrell, their love of Grand Vikings Day stems from meeting their granddaughter’s teachers and spending time with her at their son’s old stomping grounds. Clara claims her favorite aspect of preschool at Pacelli is playtime, and she seemed ecstatic to share that experience with her grandparents during Grand Vikings Day.

A good outfit can speak a thousand words, and when I saw Desha Elliot’s ‘Glam-ma’ shirt and flowy white maxi skirt, I knew I had to ask her about her Grand Vikings Day experience. Ms. Elliot is lovingly referred to as Grandma by her precious granddaughter, Morgan; though, Ms. Elliot reasonably believes that she is ‘Glam-ma’ material. Ms. Elliot has attended three Grand Vikings Day celebrations over the years, and as she has grandchildren in both Lower and Middle School at St. Anne-Pacelli, it was her second celebration that week. When asked what makes Grand Vikings Day so special, Ms. Elliot simply replied, “The people.” She added that the celebration was a time for the spotlight to be cast on the distinguished older generation, a day for grandparents to be recognized and appreciated. I surmised from the smile on her face as we chatted that this year’s gathering did not disappoint. 

For Tim Bierenfeld, affectionately known as “Pop,” the opportunity to share and live out his faith alongside his grandchildren, Isa Meza and Gio Meza, was an easy yes. Growing up in Atlanta, Mr. Bierenfeld attended Mass weekly with his own grandparents - making the Masses he now celebrates with Isa and Gio feel like a full-circle moment in his faith and family life. Joining them was “Uncle John,” who I later learned is John Cobis - a former St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School student (Class of 1976), Pacelli High School Principal, and recipient of the school’s first Distinguished Alumni Award. True to his concise, academic nature, Mr. Cobis simply shared that Grand Vikings Day perfectly reflects St. Anne-Pacelli’s “emphasis on faith and community.”

Before I could slip out, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the cutest family all sitting together at one of the round tables in the corner of the room. They were huddled around a phone making silly faces taking what I presumed to be many, many hilarious selfies. The grandma’s name was Ingrid Jones, better known as ‘Mama’. She came to this year’s Grand Vikings Day celebration to spend time with her grandchildren: 4th grader, Alaia, and Brayden, who is in Kindergarten. Mrs. Jones shared that she thoroughly enjoyed this year’s celebration, saying she loved watching her grandchildren eagerly participate at school and simply cherished the joy of spending time with them.

In conclusion, what makes Grand Vikings Days at St. Anne-Pacelli so special? The ‘Glam-maws’, ‘Nanas’, ‘Grand-daddys’, and ‘Pops’ sharing their faith and wisdom with not only their grandkids but the entire school community.

Lower School Grand Vikings Day Photos

Middle/High School Grand Vikings Day Photos