Back-to-school assembly brings school community together with spirit

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, principal Dr. Jenny Marquart brought the entire school community into the gym for the back-to-school assembly. Dr. Marquart hopes students and staff recognize the value of the entire school community being together.

“I think the purpose, since the time I got here, is to bring the community together because I really do believe that visually we need to see who the community members are. We need to be together at the start of the semester as a community,” said Dr. Marquart.

The school takes this opportunity to reintroduce the administrative team, including guidance counselors and principals. One especially spirited part of the assembly is when the seniors, usually led by senior Gabby Krikorian, cheer for their administrative team.

“Gabby’s cheering was the best part of it. I love that Gabby starts them because she’s really loud and fun and uses a lot of power in her voice,” said senior Rachel Hecht. “She loves this school so much, and she shows people that school is fun to be involved in. She’s always got a smile on her face when she’s screaming the cheers. It just get everyone pumped up to be at the assembly, or game, or whatever she’s cheering at.”

After some cheering, Dr. Marquart asked Gabby to sit down, but she explained that it was to move on with the assembly, not because she doesn’t like the spirit.

“I am fine with [the cheering], and not every senior class does that. This senior class does it more than last year’s senior class. And I like that, that’s why I allow it. You know I don’t want it to go on forever because then the assembly goes on forever. But I think that it brings the spirit and I think that it enhances the sense that these are also leaders in the community. So we can look at [student leaders like Gabby] for spirit,” said Dr. Marquart.

Finding student leaders is one of the reasons the administration holds a back-to-school assembly. Another reason is to set the tone for the semester.

“I want [people at the assembly] to take away that we’re all part of this, and so everybody’s actions, everybody’s words contribute to the tone of the community and the value of the community,” said Dr. Marquart. “I want the tone to be respectful, accepting, loving, kind, caring, and one where people listen and have conversations.”

By Molly Thal, Editor-in-Chief