Proposition on Improving Holiday Fest
The Holiday Fest is intended to bring together the ULS Upper School community. A
holiday successfully serves as a vehicle for an evening of this sort, as it
marks the time of year with an aura of cheer and solemnity. However, I think
proximity to Christmas should be avoided as it can create divisiveness rather
than unity. With that in mind, I suggest that the event be rescheduled toward
the time of Thanksgiving.
Most students’ families celebrate
this holiday, regardless of religion or creed. Because of the nature of
Thanksgiving, the importance of the dinner would be augmented. The presentations
given can still exist, but in a revised form. There could possibly be some kind
of tribute to Thanksgiving. In addition, the religious presentations should
reflect the main ideals of their respective religions. Referenced holidays need
not be bound to the time of year but rather to significance. For instance, a
Christian would speak about Lent/Easter and Christmas, a Jew about Yom Kippur
and Passover, and so on. Invocations can be requested but not expected. I
understand why a presentation by a student is desired, but the reason behind the
presentation must not be forgotten. If a student is reluctant to speak, the
organizers can turn to teachers, parents, and in extreme circumstances, people
who are not part of the ULS community. Theoretically, these invocations would
better focus attention on religions and devotions of those at ULS. The
Thanksgiving season can unite but also serve as a platform for religion.
However, the Thanksgiving approach
brings some difficulty. Scheduling would pose a problem, given the Wednesday
half day—the evening would seem a chore to many. In addition, many students and
families leave the area for vacations once school is out. Therefore, the banquet
should fall on Tuesday evening. Should this happen, the senior skit would be
moved to the In-School Spirit Concert. It is better suited to this slot due to
the frivolous atmosphere of the last day of Spirit Week. The story on which the
skit is based can be any children’s tale and not be restricted to those whose
theme is Christmas. Regarding the Holiday Concert, I see no reason why it should
not remain on the Thursday before Winter Break. Altering its date would perhaps
cause difficulty to those in the Band and Chorale because the amount of time
between each concert would be changed.
I would like to add two more things.
First, if the Thanksgiving time seems to bring more trouble than good, keep in
mind that the event need not fall then. The banquet and invocations can occur on
any day but the best choice is one preceding some sort of calendar landmark. The
Thursday before Spring Break is a viable option. Second, all of these changes
should have no effect on the Lessons and Carols at Christ Church—though a dinner
would not follow, perhaps the concert could.
Submitted by,
Paul Rossen