Recently, the KO administration decided to not host a holiday assembly this year due to conflicts with busy scheduling amidst midterm exams, Symposium, and the candlelight concerts. The community had mixed reactions since the holiday assembly is thought of as a tradition and a memorable celebration.
Interim Director of the Upper School Carolyn McKee said that because there is a short time between Thanksgiving and Winter Break, there didn’t seem to be enough time to have a holiday assembly. “There just didn’t feel like a time where it would naturally fit in,” she said.
History teacher Ted Levine, who usually organizes the holiday assembly, agreed that there are just too many things already going on. “We are asking students to do a lot already,” he said.
Students said they are disappointed that there is not going to be a holiday assembly this year.
Junior Jean Wang said that she has lost an opportunity to perform for her peers. “Every year, the choir and bands prepare for several months for the assembly. We always have some winter songs that get everybody excited and brings everyone together after midterms for the last time,” she said. “It signals the beginning of break and KITs, but unfortunately we won’t have that moment as a community this year.”
Junior Julia Kanaan said she is really upset since she really enjoyed the holiday assemblies over the years. “They were really fun, and got the whole school together to listen to music and watch their peers perform,” she said.”It’s a really great tradition.”
Senior Katherine Mikaelson said that the holiday assemblies are very special to the community. “They create a very festive atmosphere, and it is a nice celebration of everyone’s hard work this semester,” she said.
Junior Cai Kuivila said that she hopes the assembly will happen next year. “Maybe things will pan out differently,” she said. “It was always a different assembly where the whole school got together to celebrate each other, regardless of religion or opinion.”
Librarian Nancy Solomon agreed that she always loved to attend the holiday assembly each year. “Anytime we can get together as an entire school community and celebrate anything is a good thing,” she said. “I hope we are able to figure out when we can have a winter celebration next school year.”
