Branson welcomed new and returning students back to campus last week! Student leaders, faculty, and staff were thrilled to bring the community together in celebration of the 2021-2022 school year. The first week of school was full of excitement; each day was dedicated to a different core value, and jam-packed with student-led activities and opportunities to find community and celebrate being together. The whole school gathered, in their advisory groups, each day on Tom Ryan Field, the first time we’ve all been together in one (outdoor) space since March 2019.
Tuesday focused on the Core Value of Kindness. Student Body Co-Presidents Amanda Morris and Luke Tusher kicked off the morning; Chris Mazzola offered a warm welcome to the Class of 2025, and new faculty and staff. Students decorated t-shirts on the field, and met with their advisory groups. Afterward, students began their first official day of classes.
Wednesday focused on the Core Value of Honor. Students, faculty, and staff heard from the Community Honor Board. Students in the CHB play a vital role at Branson, and facilitated thoughtful small group discussions afterward for students. And afterward - a full school photo shoot in everyone’s decorated Tshirts!
Thursday focused on the Core Values of Courage and Purpose. Students and faculty participated in an interactive Civil Discourse skit. Afterward, student affinity group leaders introduced their groups and extended the invitation for students, and faculty to join affinity spaces at Branson.
On Friday, the community gathered once more for an enthusiastic Pep Rally, led by our student leaders and spirit captains! Student leaders opened with a school-wide game of rock-paper-scissors, reviving an old Branson tradition of “the Green and the Blue,” followed by musical skits from the fall sports teams, and a performance from Branson’s Dance Performance Ensemble. The afternoon ended with a rousing Branson tradition, a round of the “vegetable game” where students attempted to morph their bodies into the shape of various vegetables with encouragement from their classmates.
There’s nothing quite like welcoming our students, faculty, and staff back to campus. Here’s to a great year ahead. Go, Bulls!
