Seniors gathered in the auditorium for their first class meeting of the school year during W4. Class officers made announcements about senior dues, Prom, Homecoming, fundraisers and the end of the senior stampede tradition.
“I thought the meeting went really well,” senior class officer Gunnar Thompson said. “Everyone seemed exciting about Homecoming week and Prom.”
Graduation coordinator Cindy Hook announced that senior dues would be collected during English classes on Sept. 26 and 27. The dues are $62, and can be paid with cash, checks made out to AHS or money orders.
The officers announced that Prom would be held at the Tysons Corner Marriott on June 7. The announcement was met with mixed responses from the seniors.
“I think it’ll be nice, I’m sure the officers worked hard trying to find a nice place for us,” senior Victoria Beasley said.
An issue several seniors were upset about was the fact that they would not be allowed to run in a senior stampede at the end of the year. Assistant principal Pamela Gravitte explained that the cancellation was because of injuries that happened during the stampede last year. She encouraged seniors to think of new ideas to replace the senior stampede tradition.
“I’m really bummed about it because it’s something that the seniors have been doing ever since we’ve been here and it’s something we were all looking forward to,” Beasley said. “I feel like some people will try to do it anyways, but the administration will probably not let them walk at graduation.”
“You don’t start a tradition by voting on what to do,” senior Clark Girardin said. “It’s something that happens that people continue to do every year.”
CJ • Sep 21, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Allthough, I graduated 5 years ago (2007) many of my classmates particpated in the Senior Stampede. I however didn’t, and it looked like a lot of fun. I find it very dissapointing that they’d get rid of this.
jerry • Sep 20, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Alright new tradition, twerk fest in ms Gravitte’s office
Adam • Sep 20, 2012 at 11:46 am
To be honest, it makes no sense not to let the class of 2013 take part in tradition. Part of the problem could be the change in Principle. Sure, there in inherent risk in allowing kids to stampede down the halls of AHS, throwing paper everywhere. It would not be something kids do if there weren’t risk (and hence fun) involved. Mr. Ponton, the former principle, would let these kids stampede. Mr. Ponton embraced the traditions of AHS with pride. Imagine how disappointing it must be for these kids, many of whom have been looking forward to the senior stampede since they first watched it freshman year. Last year, Principle Randazzo was giving high fives to the kids who ran by him with smiles and laughs. This year, he isn’t letting the kids run? To me, it seems that tradition and any sort of thing that makes Annandale High School “such a great place” is being stripped away. Watch out Atoms Boys, soon you won’t be able to take your shirts off at football games.
jason • Sep 20, 2012 at 10:49 am
I bet this “injury” was a few scratches and a bruised pinky toe. Good old AHS admin getting in the way of students trying to have fun in high school.