Liu ’21 Reflects on School Traditions During Pandemic

This is what Cathy LaDuke, associate director of young alumni engagement and the “keeper” of Chatham Hall traditions, answered when I asked her what tradition means to our School. I suddenly realized that while I’m participating in our traditions, I’m also becoming a part of a huge legacy of our School.

 

This year a lot of things are different due to the pandemic, and it is certainly true that the School has to make adjustments to traditional activities. The key is to provide the new students with a real sense of tradition with safety remaining the top priority. So, we have to think about what modifications can be made rather than canceling events that are a big part of the Chatham Hall experience.  

 

Through the work of the Administrative Leadership Team, the Class Sponsors, and Ms. LaDuke, the School has come up with some creative ideas. For instance, in lieu of a big snack bowl we now have snacks that are individually wrapped. Instead of Senior Night in the Well we will have it in the gym. Rather than singing the Alma Mater, we speak it. The seniors still met at the oak tree to walk around with lanterns; students still met at the meadow for the Picnic Honoring the New Girls; the Purple and Gold Teams all took in their new members and had a modified Tug-O-War.  Little changes like these allow us to keep these important rituals alive and experienced by students. 

 

“We weren’t able to participate on-campus for the Junior Ring Hunt last school year, and that was a little upsetting. But seeing the video the graduation committee made on the passing of candles from seniors to juniors, I was able to experience our School spirit even remotely,” said Anna S. ’21. 

 

“With this year’s Lantern Ceremony, even though we weren’t able to sing the Alma Mater, speaking it still granted me a sense of solemnity and sacredness. I loved the feeling of holding onto the lantern and walking to the meadow while the whole School silently watched us seniors. I also loved the meaning of this tradition - passing the lights of our School.”

 

We know that we will face challenges, whether it’s the social-distancing policy or the mask-wearing requirement, but we have faith that the important things that mean a lot to the community will still be kept in our tradition.