Media Release

New Jersey, Jun 11: MCA-EC held its summer picnic on June 9. It was exactly nine years ago, on the same day, the association started. The new MCA-EC executive board had worked tirelessly to ensure that the event was well coordinated with games for all ages, great food and music, a line ‘danceathon’ and a Konkani sing along session for the attendees.

The picnic started with Reshma, Jessie, Violet and Arine handling the registration activities with finesse that resulted in a smooth registration process. The attendees walking in were greeted to the sound of hit Bollywood tunes expertly spun by DJ Clayton Monis.and a hearty breakfast.

The comperes for the picnic, the very lively and enthusiastic Arun Menezes and Dinesh D’Costa, showed their expertise in getting the attendees to participate in the myriad games spanning all age groups.

A lot of games held for all ages, right from the tiny tots to the senior citizens were organized. From the gents having their cricket tournament in one end to the ladies having their throwball tournament on the other, from kids aged 3-4 having their games on another end, to the teenagers having their slice of fun on the opposite end, every corner of the park had some activity going on.

Sister Gretta, who is the spiritual director of the group, said a small prayer blessing the food for lunch.

Lunch was authentic Mangalurean cuisine with pork, sannas, chicken sukka, rice and saar.

Aarti D’Souza, the current president of MCA-EC, introduced the other new members of the executive board in a very articulate style highlighting the strengths of each executive board member, which was well received and applauded by the entire crowd.

The new members of the board are:

Aarti D’Souza – President

Melrin D’Silva Sequeira– Vice-president

Ben Sequeira – Treasurer

Anita Pinto – Regional coordinator

Lydia D’Souza – General secretary

All the precious moments of the picnic were captured by the very hardworking Christopher Monis. Christopher made sure that not even a single moment was missed and was seen running from pillar to post to capture that perfect shot.

The board members handed out to the winners of all the games, tournaments beautiful medals, trophies and certificates. They were all showcase worthy. Also, the previous board members, advisory council members, social activities committee and ex-gurkars/gurkarns were felicitated as well.

Games:

Game 3-5:

Game 1: Bucket and Balls

1st Prize: Chelsi, 2nd Prize: Neola Pinto

Game 3-5:

Game 2: Passing the Balloon

1st Prize: Neola Pinto, 2nd Prize: Ivanka Menezes

Games 6-10:

Bucket & Marble

1st Prize: Isha D’Souza, 2nd Prize: Nishelle Pinto

Games 6-10:

Spoon & Marble

1st Prize: Dale D’Cunha, 2nd Prize: Kiera D’Souza

Game 11-14:

Ball Toss in Basket

1st Prize: Sean, 2nd Prize: Jiselle D’Souza

Game 11-14:

Ring Toss

1st Prize: Sheryl D’Mello, 2nd Prize: Melody Pinto

Game 15-18:

Capture the Flag

Winner: Team “Army” – Brendan Sequeira, Neil Correa, Darrel D’Souza, Michelle D’Souza, Shawn D’Mello, Meldon Mendonca, Melanie Mendonca, Caroline D’ Souza

Games 15-18:

Balloon Race

1st Prize: Melanie Mendonca, 2nd Prize: Michelle D’Souza

Men - Cricket:

Winner: Team A – Victor Sequeira, Allwyn Saldanha, Manoj Mascarenhas, Miguel Mascarenhas, Aravind D’Souza, Danny Aranha, Gerald Pinto, Gavin Pinto, Stephen D’Souza,
Navin Pothan, Avis D’Souza.

Women - Throwball:

Winner: Team C – Janice Seravo, Sister Greta, Steffi Rodrigues, Monthi D’Cunha, Shyna D’Cunha, Merlin Mendonca, Reena Menezes, Florine Lobo, Florine Pinto.

Seniors:

Game 1: Passing the Hoop

1st Prize: Teresa Correa, 2nd Prize: Hilda D’Cunha

Game 2: Bombing the Team

1st Prize: Gratian D’Souza, 2nd Prize: Santhar Mendonca

Marian Kamath from the FAEE organization spoke about collaborating with the MCA-EC to continue their philanthropic activities to sponsor under privileged and needy kids from South Kanara district. All future fund raising efforts of the FAEE will be channeled through the MCA-EC. He also mentioned about the possibility of sponsoring some of the CASC efforts in promoting education for talented and needy children.

There was a very melodious Konkani sing-along session led by Merlin Mendonca accompanied by Raulson Sequeira and Wilbur D’Souza on guitars.

As the former president, Sydney Lasrado so expertly stated ‘Team work makes the dream work’ and that was very evident in the picnic, with all the volunteers and members working together to make it an extremely enjoyable event.