Hackley students gathered together on Akin Common to mark the start of the 2024-2025 school year during Convocation. Convocation takes place annually and unites the K-12 community to celebrate the upcoming academic year. This year, Hackley Head of School Charles Franklin, Community Council President Rafael Castro, and Associate Head of School Cyndy Jean discussed community goals and welcomed new students.

Convocation began with a new tradition this year. Participating seniors escorted a Kindergarten buddy to their spot in the audience while the song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” echoed in the background. Afterward, teachers May Steinberg and Megan Fogarty led the Lower, Middle, and Upper school choral groups in reciting the Alma Mater.

Charles Franklin began the ceremony by welcoming senior Rafael Castro. Rafael addressed the community with a speech aimed at setting goals for the year.

“Our Hackley experience is defined by the unique community of dedicated students and passionate teachers and faculty,” he said. Rafael expanded on the importance of community, and the ability to recognize the theme: good people make good places. Rafael emphasized one of Hackley’s many mottos “Enter here to be and find a friend” as the speech concluded. 

In true Mr. Franklin fashion, he began his segment by inviting up four seniors to compete in a trivia game as a fun way to mark the moment of Hackley’s 125th anniversary. One team was Tyler Mook and Kayce Park and the other was Gabrielle Diaz-Alcantara and Quincy Flournoy. These students had to guess which came first: the invention of a particular product like Pez, or Hackley. To make it a true competition both teams competed for a Hornet-shaped stress ball, but as the game persisted, questions became tougher, and the game resulted in a tie.  

Afterward, Mr. Franklin segued by noting the importance of wanting to learn more about others genuinely, and their opinions in his speech. In the current world, it is important to be reminded of these morals, and what Hackley stands for. 

“While our school has evolved in so many great and wonderful ways we also know some things are timeless, one of those for us is the power of human relationships and connection,” he said. Hackley thrives off community so as the school year commences students are encouraged to maintain respect, kindness, and empathy for all. 

Finally, Associate Head of School Cyndy Jean shared her perspective and hopes “that [students] embrace the tools of imagination this year.” She restated that students have doors to just about anything and the possibility of endless achievements. Before the community departed, K-12 took part in the everlasting tradition, the collective shouting of “Go Hack!”