Every year since 2005, Convocation and Legacy Day have allowed the school’s community to gather together to mark the beginning of a new school year and engage in community activities.

This year, new students and faculty were welcomed to the traditions, and others reconnected with peers. The energy was high with an annual banner parade, motivated by cheers from the large audience. The Upper School band and orchestra led the school in singing the Alma Mater before speeches were given by Head of School Anne Stavney and Student Body President Zellie Olson ‘25. Performances by Middle and Upper School choirs followed before Legacy Day groups reunited to welcome new students and younger kids to Legacy Day traditions. In all, Convocation was jam-packed with fun activities and time spent together as a community.

However, it’s equally important to acknowledge the purpose of the event and why it’s a fundamental day in the school year. Lisa Sackreiter, Director of Community Service and a member of the Convocation planning team believes the event is beneficial to the community as it enables us to “remember that we are one school”. The day gives us a chance “to have opportunities to get to know each other across those grade levels.”

Aanya Pandey ‘25 noted that Convocation is “a nice way to feel a part of the community” and is a “nostalgic and fun community event that they[students] look forward to.” For Pandey, a highlight of the morning was the “close relationships with the people in my [her] group, including getting to know the lower schoolers and their hobbies.”

New members of the community were introduced to Convocation for the first time. Milo Richard ‘28, a new student described his first Legacy Day as “exciting and overwhelming because there were a lot of people there, and I don’t know a lot of people.” Richard commented that he “feel[s] like I’m[he’s] a part of something special with Convocation.”