St. Nicholas School flips into Lent 2025 with 'Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race'

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The sound of cheers filled the St. Nicholas School gymnasium as fifth-grade students raced across the room, flipping pancakes in frying pans as they went. Younger students, teachers, and parents lined the sidelines, offering enthusiastic support.

This excitement was part of St. Nicholas School’s third annual "Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race" on March 4. The event brought together students, faculty, and parents for a morning filled with tradition, friendly competition, and reflection, all in anticipation of the 40-day Lenten season.

The morning began with students gathering in the school chapel, greeted by the joyful sound of Louis Armstrong’s “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Kara Miscio, St. Nicholas School’s music director and chaplain, led the students in song and prayer before explaining the history and significance of Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras.

Shrove Tuesday has long been observed in Christian communities worldwide as the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent, a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. Historically, families would use up ingredients like eggs, butter, and sugar to prepare for the fasting period, which led to the tradition of making pancakes. Over time, the day evolved into a festive occasion, with many communities hosting pancake races.

“A few years ago, we thought that would be a really fun thing and a community-building event for St. Nicholas,” Miscio said.

Following the chapel service, students and faculty moved to the gym, where the energy ramped up for the pancake relay race. Hosted by Assistant Head of School and Level 7 teacher Alice Clark, the race featured fifth-grade students competing in teams. The crowd cheered as the competitors worked to keep their pancakes in the air and their teams on track.

In the end, the red team took home the coveted Golden Spatula, a lighthearted prize recognizing their pancake-flipping prowess.

“I love seeing all of the younger students cheering [Level 7] students on,” Clark said. “I love that a pancake race is not necessarily the most athletic event, so you can never predict which team will win.”

More Than Just a Race

While the morning was filled with laughter and excitement, it also served as a reminder to slow down and reflect. As Lent begins, Miscio encourages the community to embrace the season with mindfulness and intentionality.

“One of the things we can do as we move into the season of Lent, whether we are practicing Christians or not, is to make it a more contemplative time,” Miscio said. “To think about things in a different way and to move with more thoughtfulness in the world.”

Clark echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of reflection and community involvement.

“Lent is a great time to stop and think,” Clark said. “We try to really make sure that everyone in our community is an active participant in our community, so I think during Lent, it’s just a great time to be reflective of what your role is in the world. We always hear that we can make a difference, so maybe it’s just taking on something extra during the season.”

To continue the celebration, the school served pancakes at lunch, ensuring the joy of Shrove Tuesday continued throughout the day. The race not only marked the beginning of the Lenten season but also reinforced the importance of community, reflection, and the value of coming together through both fun and friendly competition.