The first day of school is an annual commemoration of the beginning of a new academic year and a reminder for all students to remain excited and hopeful for the year to come. On September 6th, 2023, I celebrated my last “first day” at Montrose. I was totally unsure as to whether I should be looking forward to the coming year ahead or saddened by the fact that this was one of my last first days at my “second home” for the past six years.
Many Montrosians awoke for their first day well-rested and ready to partake in all of the traditions that make up this joyous occasion at school. The senior class, however, decided to watch the “senior sunrise” over our beloved Miracle Field at 6:00 A.M. Several of my friends remarked that they wish they could bottle my “morning energy” and open it every morning to encourage joy, happiness, and positivity even as early as 8:00 A.M. at the beginning of every school day.
The morning of my first day, with an alarm set bright and early for 4:50 A.M., I leapt out of bed excited about the opportunity to partake in this time-honored tradition with the many women I have called friends and “sisters.” During my 35-minute commute to Medfield, I had my own personal “carpool karaoke” session. Whether I was listening to the upbeat, head-bopping music of Pitbull or the somewhat sad and reflective music of Ed Sheeran, I used the car ride as an opportunity to collect my thoughts of nervousness, excitement, joy, and fear entering into my senior year of high school.
While I have witnessed many sunsets, I don’t think I have ever had the opportunity to appreciate a sunrise. This sunrise at 29 North Street on the morning of my last first day made me reflect on the calm needed to be present throughout the year and the beauty of all the traditions, events, people, and experiences of a senior year at Montrose.
After we had reflected, taken hundreds of pictures, danced, and fueled ourselves with lots of caffeine, we headed into the building to enjoy our first morning in the “Senior Commons.” For many years, I enjoyed going to visit the “older girls” in the cool, fun space known as the “Senior Commons.” Whether it was stealing some of their delicious candy or getting their advice on literally any topic, they always made me feel so welcome and cared for.
Until I walked into this space on campus and saw the big, red 2024 balloons, I don’t think I had actually acknowledged that I was now one of the “older girls.” So many thoughts immediately rushed into my head. While some contained emotions of fear and worry, the majority carried feelings of excitement and joy. I finally realized that I would be able to lead and guide so many Mavericks in the many different ways that those “older girls” had previously guided me.
Following some of my first academic classes of the year and an all-school Mass during Enrichment, I headed to the A&A, sat in the first row (as is the senior tradition), and prepared myself for one of Mrs. Elrod’s insightful and educational addresses. Mrs. Elrod’s favorite phrase is that everyone, not only in the Montrose community but also in the greater world, is “unique, unrepeatable, and called by God to achieve our noble purpose.”
In her address, telling the inspirational story of wartime code-breaker Elizabeth Smith Friedman, Mrs. Elrod called on the school community to frame the academic year as an “adventure.” Enduring many challenges relating to gender discrimination and educational experience, Elizabeth lived the majority of her life challenging herself and others to break the social barriers set by society in order to enjoy the many unexpected joys that life presented.
Mrs. Elrod encouraged all Mavericks to approach each challenge that they face this year without worrying about the outcome. She emphasized that when we don’t worry, we enjoy our own adventures more, knowing that we have the practical wisdom to approach each problem with faith, reason, and confidence.
When Mrs. Elrod’s speech concluded, the entire community headed outside to enjoy one of Montrose’s many special traditions on the first day: the handshake line. As I shook hands with every new student and faculty member, I remembered just how happy and welcomed I felt in their shoes on my very first day of school.
When I observe the photographs taken on my first and last handshake lines at Montrose, not much has changed. Still approaching everything I do with that same joy and welcoming spirit, I am confident in my ability to frame my senior year as “adventure.” All adventures, including a senior year filled with college applications, academic responsibilities, leadership roles, and senior-year traditions, will present challenges. This year, I vow to enjoy everything that comes my way as a celebration of all that I have done and will continue to do to give back to the community that has blessed me in so many ways for the last six years.
By Kate Novack ‘24, Co-Editor-in-Chief and Features Editor
24cnovack@montroseschool.org
