From athletes medalling at state to students performing original music, there is a lot to celebrate at BSM. A bi-monthly convocation will bring the school community together to commemorate this positivity.

Though typically a convocation refers to just a large group gathering, BSM put its own spin on the term. Convocations will be similar to traditional assemblies at BSM, but they will be specifically aimed at celebrating positivity in the school community.

This year, BSM’s new senior high principal Stephanie Nitchals implemented convocation to celebrate student and teacher achievements twice a month. The specific focus of the assemblies will vary, ranging from acknowledging welcoming students and staff to listening to students read poetry and perform music. “We’re looking at ways that we can bring more positivity to school, have an opportunity to celebrate the successes that you do as students, with the whole student body and come together as a community,” Nitchals said.

Especially after a global pandemic and a tumultuous year in politics, it is easy to focus on the negative aspects of our school and world. Nitchals hopes that convocation will highlight the good amidst this negativity. “Sometimes we get fixated on what’s not going well, and I think we need to focus on the amazing people that are here, students and adults,” Nitchals said.

The first convocation will take place at the beginning of second semester. One of the first convocations will feature nominated acts from BSM’s coffee house. The coffee house will be held on January 10, and students involved in the arts will be able to perform music, poetry, or acting in front of their peers. After the coffee house, students will pick their favorite acts to perform at the convocation assembly. “I think another big thing is just being able to come together as a larger school community and just to be with one another and to celebrate one another,” theology teacher and convocation committee member Michael Becker said.

Another goal of the gatherings is to recognize students whose achievements tend to be overlooked. “I think a lot of times, schools don’t always celebrate all [achievements]. Athletics are awesome, but there’s so many other things to celebrate too, like the successes of our math team…” Nitchals said.

The convocations will be planned by Nitchals and a group of teachers on the convocation planning committee, who will meet weekly to plan the assemblies. “There’s a lot of different visions that the committee has. It’s kind of the joy of starting a committee that everybody just kind of throws their ideas out there,” Becker said.