Connecting with Convocation

Maclay’s 57th Convocation Ushers in the New School Year

Photo courtesy of the Marauder yearbook staff

On Aug. 13, 2025, Maclay’s annual Convocation took place, commemorating the start of the school’s 57th year. This long-standing ceremony serves as a way to unite the entire student body and faculty in one place for one goal: to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. 

“Convocation is a great jump start to the year,” junior Zach Revell said. “It’s always really fun and it's a good way for the school to group together.”

As part of Convocation’s tradition, seniors first entered the Webster Gym hand in hand with first graders, symbolizing new beginnings and bittersweet farewells. Then, Student Council Co-Presidents Molly McDonald and Suhani Gawde, along with Class of 2026 President Claire Smith, opened the ceremony with short speeches highlighting Maclay’s history and community spirit. Head of School James Milford followed with encouraging remarks about the opportunities waiting to be taken this year.

“Walking the first graders in was really fun, but it was surreal because I realized how much time had passed,” senior Will Hunkapiller said. “It was bittersweet.”

Convocation also features a variety of musical performances from the student body. This year’s artists included Kai Okui playing “Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp major BWV 848” by Bach, Bleakley Shettle and Bhavya Ramakrishnan playing “Deux Interludes” by Jacques Ibert, Genevieve Lemmon playing “Romance for Viola” by Max Bruch and Crew Carlile singing “Corner of the Sky” by Pippin.

“It was an interesting experience to get to play for the students,” Shettle said. “Bringing everyone together for Convocation fosters a great sense of community.”

Finally, the ceremony concluded with the annual ringing of the Headmaster’s Bell, a tradition that officially marks the start of the school year. The honor of ringing the bell is given to Maclay’s longest-serving faculty member, and this year, band teacher Jennifer Corzine carried on the tradition.

“I always feel honored to ring the bell and symbolize the start of a new year,” Corzine said. “Every year, ringing the bell gets more special because I never know when it’ll be the last time I’ll be ringing it. I just love being in front of the whole student body and seeing everybody’s excitement.”

With Convocation complete, the Maclay community now looks ahead to a year of growth and discovery. Students and faculty alike are ready to create lasting memories together. 

“[Convocation] as a whole is just a wonderful occasion,” Corzine said. “This year, I think Maclay’s students should take advantage of every opportunity that the school has to offer.”