School Traditions at NHS

Welcome back, everyone! I hope your summers have been amazing and relaxing, but now that August 28th is here, there is something serious we need to discuss: starting school traditions. We have some traditions at Needham High School, such as Spirit Week, the end-of-the-year art show, the Oracle, and Senior Field Day. On top of these, I propose we add a few more this year, so hear me out. 

Number one: Let’s have a science fair! I know some of the elementary schools in Needham have science fairs, but the high school doesn’t. Because NHS has so many creative people who enjoy science, imagine the exciting things that people could create and showcase. Of course, we could make it a competition and reward the coolest science project. 

Number two: During spirit week, it would be fun to have a day where students dress up as teachers and teachers dress up as students. We already have a spirit week at NHS with some classic themes, but this would be a fun way of seeing students wearing button-down shirts and khakis while allowing teachers to sport sweatpants or athleticwear. On top of that, we could make it a competition by giving the homeroom with the best-swapped outfit a bagel breakfast!

Number three: having a schoolwide movie marathon. Find a warm Saturday or Sunday night to set up a few projectors and screens on Memorial Field. Students can come with their friends to watch movies after a long week. There could even be snacks like popcorn, or some candy. I think this would be a great way for students to relax and bond with their peers.

Number four: doing a Senior Prank! I’ve seen classes do senior pranks and class of 2025, I think it’s our time to shine. Obviously, we seniors wouldn’t do anything too drastic, like flood the school, release a bunch of rats everywhere, or put a cow on the top of the building. But I think it would still be fun if all of the seniors decided on a prank as a last hurrah before we left! We could establish guidelines to ensure the prank is harmless and in good spirits. To keep it organized and safe, seniors could form a planning committee that works with school administrators to approve and coordinate the prank. This would ensure the prank is both clever and respectful, creating a final memorable moment for the graduating class. 

Number five: creating a time capsule at the beginning of freshman year and opening it at the end of senior year. During homeroom one day, first-year students could bring in a shoe box and things that they think represent them. They would decorate their shoe boxes with fun art supplies, and once they were done, they would place them in their homeroom classrooms, or their lockers if they have one. Then, at the end of their freshman, sophomore, and junior years, they can add more items to the time capsule. Finally, when it’s the seniors’ last day of homeroom, they can open their boxes and experience a blast from the past. To add a communal element, we could also have a “time capsule celebration,” where students gather and share their favorite items and memories. This could be such a sweet and nostalgic way of ending high school!

Remember everyone, it takes two years to create a tradition, so why not let this be the first? Embracing these traditions could make our time at Needham High School even more memorable, and I would be so excited to see one of these ideas come to life. 

Cheers to an amazing school year, and roll Rockets!