The annual tradition of Convocation—which involves cross-grade buddy activities, sign-making festivities, and Director of Student Life Tim Cronister’s iconic orange pants—kicked off Homecoming weekend last Friday in front of the Chicago History Museum.
Every year since 2008, the Latin student body has convened to celebrate the start of Homecoming weekend in front of the Chicago History Museum. As students walked through the park and headed to the pavilion, upperclassmen welcomed them with signs and chalk art from the pre-Convocation festivities. After all students and faculty arrived, DJ Swerve lowered the music, and the ceremony began with a series of speeches from Head of School Thomas Hagerman, Senior Prefect Ralu Nzelibe, Middle School Student Government President Zach Stamos, and three representatives from the fourth grade.
During Ralu’s speech on Latin’s theme for the year—Aspire—he said, “Aspiration is a powerful motivator, and during this Convocation, this calling-together, and every other day of your life, I invite you to think: ‘Who do you want—no, who do you aspire—to be?’”
Finally, Convocation came to a close with the tradition of singing the fight song and a dance party, marking the start of Homecoming weekend.