News Reporter
The second 6th form Spirit Committee has been successful in igniting school spirit within the Choate community. The students who organized the committee last year hoped to make their senior year more memorable by planning special events to promote unity and lasting friendships. They also sought to raise money for the next senior class to plan activities. This year, the committee has many of the same goals, but also seeks to encourage strong relationships between current students and alumni of Choate.
The Choate Spirit Committee, under the faculty leadership of Dan Courcey, Neil Gordon, and Hilary Burall, has already organized a number of events that have helped seniors treat at least some of their college anxiety. On Thursday, October 9, under the sponsorship of the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, the senior committee planned “S’mores night” for the Class of 2007 at the SAC. It also extended curfew for seniors every Thursday night. And it turned out to be a complete success—Danny Moon ‘07 said, “The s’mores certainly hit the spot. I am looking forward to what the committee will plan in the future.”
The plans for the future are indeed very promising. To celebrate the Class of 2007’s last term at Choate—with a sense of hope and despair—the committee plans a memorable spring dance. Janelle Fouche ‘07, 6th form representative and committee member, said, “I hope that we can set the tone for the remainder of the year with this last senior dance.” The committee is also planning a Halloween dance and a special senior/faculty dinner on November 9.
With the long anticipated Deerfield Day just around the corner, committee volunteers will be handing out “spirit boosters,” clappers and pompoms, to encourage school spirit. Students willing to paint their bodies blue and gold and take the level of school spirit to the extreme are more then welcome.
According to Neil Gordon, the Alumni Office will be “hosting hospitality tents for all of our campus visitors during Deerfield Day.” This will allow alumni, parents, students, and faculty members to be more “school spirited.” It will also reinforce the fact that graduating from Choate is a proud and honorable accomplishment. The tent hopes to make connections with alumni of Choate and current students.
The Choate community already consists of many friendly students and energetic faculty members. This committee hopes to ignite an even larger spark of school responsiveness. The starting quarterback of the Choate football team, Alex Cohen ‘08, said, “I really enjoy the fan support while I am in the game. It gets me in the zone. I do it for the fans.” With this committee, Cohen will be able to lead the team to victory. Hopefully, the Choate Spirit Committee will encourage more support on the sidelines of not only football games, but other sports as well.
Ms. Burall said, “Through the activities that the committee does, we hope to foster a sense of pride in Choate and fond memories that they will look back on long after they graduate.” The Alumni Relations and Development Office developed the committee to foster a sense of recognition and pride of Choate students; and the importance of being alumni. Perhaps students will continue this sense of school spirit and pride for many years to come.
