Convocation Day at Ashland High School Sends Spirits High

Students at Ashland High School celebrated Convocation Day in school-wide events and a pep-rally on September 9. Peer leaders and faculty helped organize the activities to make a fun day focused on teaching school values and expectations, including respect, responsibility, integrity, involvement and achievement.

To start the day’s activities, students in every grade were assigned randomly to different classrooms in teams of about a dozen. The school principal, Mrs. St. Coeur, announced over the loudspeaker a tribute to the heroes and victims of 9/11. A moment of silence was observed by the school in their honor.

Each classroom had two teams and a specific game to play, which challenged the students to think deeper about the school values and expectations. Junior and senior peer leaders helped teachers run the activities. Different games included Jeopardy!, Charades, and Family Feud. Questions like, “What are some ways to show respect at a sporting event?” and “Which teacher has worked at AHS the longest?” were asked.

Both the atmosphere and the students colored the school. Each grade wore their grade color—green for freshmen, red for sophomores, blue for juniors and white for seniors. Older students proclaimed their colors through matching sunglasses, bandanas, face paint and scarves. The atmosphere was continually animated by laughter and conversation throughout the day.

One of the main highlights of the day was the senior pep rally. Students gathered in the gym by grade, excluding seniors. Senior Adam Skiba led in first, shocking the room with a nervous, excited tension to add energy. Then, with the song, “Don’t Let Me Down,” by the Chainsmokers, the Class of 2017 rushed into the gym, throwing toilet paper into the crowds of younger students. Senior Class President Maggie Duich received the key to the school from the principal, signifying the seniors’ authority in the school for the coming year, as well as their responsibility to lead it well. After Duich spoke to her classmates advising them to seize the coming year, all senior Class Representatives briefly addressed the school. With spirits still soaring and energy levels high, the first pep rally of the year ended.

For more details on past and upcoming events in the high school, visit Mrs. St. Coeur’s Twitter, @Kstcoeur. With more events on scheduled, the year is sure to be a good one for Ashland High School. Go Clockers!