Los Angeles, Calif., May 18, 2018 / 15:25 pm
Flash mobs, sparkling lemonade, and video toasts to the happy couple are just some of the ways that a Catholic high school in California is celebrating their most popular alumna, soon-to-be royal Meghan Markle.
An American actress best known for her role on the T.V. series "Suits," Markle attended middle school and high school at Immaculate Heart Catholic school outside of Los Angeles.
The school has taken the highly-anticipated wedding as a chance for celebration, including an outdoor pre-wedding celebration on Tuesday, complete with a group dance, fancy hats, toasts to Markle and both American and British flag-waving.
Current Immaculate Heart students told media that they take inspiration from the fact that one of their own, who is a U.N. advocate for women and known for her humanitarian work, is being celebrated on the world stage.
"The idea that someone like her, who has had an upbringing so similar to ours, will now be able to voice her concerns on a global platform as an internationally recognized figure is a story that impacts so many young women, especially the young women at our school," student Mia Speier said in a toast to Markle at the Tuesday event.
"She is from Los Angeles, she's half black, so I feel like no matter what ethnicity you are, no matter where you're from, you could actually make a big change in the world," Immaculate Heart senior Chloe Hightower told "Good Morning America."
While teachers at the school recalled Markle as a bright and compassionate student with a knack for remembering names and stories, Markle says the teachers made a lasting impression on her as well.
Maria Pollia is an Immaculate Heart theology teacher whom Markle remembers especially fondly. In a recent interview, Markle recalled how Pollia inspired her when she said that "life is about putting others' needs above your own fears."
"Yes, make sure you are safe and never, ever put yourself in a compromising situation, but once that is checked off the list, I think it's really important for us to remember that someone needs us, and that your act of giving/helping/doing can truly become an act of grace once you get out of your head," Markle recalled in an interview for the book "The Game Changers: Success Secrets from Inspirational Women Changing The Game and Influencing The World."
Pollia said she was humbled and proud to hear of her impact on Markle, whose humanitarian work since high school has impressed her former teacher.
"This is something that I think really fuels her, her joy and her heart. And I think it's wonderful to know that she is still that person, and that now with her place in the world, she'll be able to do that on an even greater scale," Pollia told CNN. "I think that they are both very aware of that. And I think it's wonderful that they will be companions to each other on that journey."
"She's bringing not just beauty and grace and smarts, but she's bringing this world consciousness," Christine Knudsen, another former teacher of Markle's, told ABC News.
Markle's engagement to Prince Harry has raised eyebrows not only for her Catholic ties, but also for her being half black, divorced, and an American, obstacles which just a few years ago may have disqualified the couple from ascending to the throne.
Father James Bradley, a Catholic priest in the U.K. and a former Anglican, told CNA in November that the excitement surrounding royal weddings "shows that even when, in some sense, the marriage isn't everything we would want it to be, society as a whole has a natural inclination towards the good and towards what marriage represents."
"So people see the goodness of marriage, even people who are opposed to the institution of marriage will cheer when a couple like this get married, or get engaged, because it takes a very hardened heart not to be happy that two people are seeking this good."
Prince Harry and Markle will be married in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
(Story continues below)
Immaculate Heart will be hosting a (early) watch party for students and their families - most coverage of the event begins between 1-2 a.m. Pacific time.