excitement, joy, renewal, and hope
Billowing gray clouds covered the morning sky, and the cool breeze suggested that rain, prominent in the forecast, was just seconds away.
Convocation 2008 went off without a hitch, however, proving yet again today that it takes much more than threatening weather to keep Cougar Nation from having a blast.
This ninth-annual rite of September, which pulls together folks from every constituency of the Collegiate family, is truly a feel-good experience.
It’s a sea of green and gold. No surprise there.
It’s informal dress, jeans, t-shirts and hardly a necktie in sight.
It’s Charlie McFall, our co-athletic director, resplendent in that pair of less-than-subtle camo pants with the school’s colors blazing that he breaks out for special occasions.
It’s each grade processing joyously and in beautiful disarray onto the giant cougar paw to the accompaniment of the Collegiate instrumentalists, then taking its assigned spot on the Grover Jones Field.
It’s seniors and snaggle-toothed kindergartners entering together, the youngsters literally and symbolically riding upon the shoulders of the big kids, blissfully unaware that in the blink of an eye, a snap of the fingers, they – the class of 2021 – will be called upon to carry the torch for a generation of children, yet unborn, who will face an increasingly complicated world.
Convocation is proud parents, many with cameras and camcorders in hand, scurrying about to capture the moment in the year’s greatest photo op.
It’s the Cougar Care entourage with strollers lined up off to the side, and our faculty Moms and Dads catching a few extra moments with their little ones.
It’s Middle School science teacher Carl Parrish on the day of his 60th birthday, standing beside the fence, accepting congratulations, fending off good-natured ribbing, and letting fly more of his infamous corny one-liners.
It’s Betsy Mastropieri, senior class co-president, praising the school’s facilities, its commitment to citizenship through service, and its reputation for honor and sportsmanship, then challenging all present to push their limits, establish new boundaries, and strive for a standard they never imagined possible.
It’s music, beautiful music, performed by the entire Lower School (rhythmically waving their green and gold pie plates, of course) and by Collegiate’s orchestra and chorus nonpareil.
Convocation is head of school Keith Evans, brief but eloquent, reminding the throng that, diverse as we are, we are a community that values above all else honor, excellence, respect, and love of learning.
It’s Evans evoking the memory of Petey Jacobs, beloved coach, mentor, and friend, whose legacy of sportsmanship, loyalty, competitive spirit, and fair play lives on in the Collegiate of today.
It’s his challenge to seniors to use their position maturely, influence the younger generation positively, serve as role models and cheerleaders, and provide the spark that makes their school a better place than they found it.
It’s a reverent singing of the National Anthem with the southerly wind blowing the American flag, one day after the anniversary of 9/11.
It’s Hardy Reichel, the other senior class co-president, encouraging the assemblage to learn from both success and failure, shoot for the stars, and never, ever be satisfied with second best.
Convocation, then, is serious business mixed with fun and energy.
It’s excitement and hope.
It’s joy and renewal.
And as we left the field this morning, the clouds parted, and the sun bathed us with its gentle warmth.
