Music has recently echoed through the halls during passing period before Advisory. The music is made possible by the efforts of the Student Council’s Senior Class, who is also busy planning other additions to Neuqua Valley traditions.
The idea for the music came from the Senior Classes desire to “leave something behind,” said Senior Class President Kelly McClure. After Student Council Representative Alicia Wojcik suggested something that had to do with music, the Council started a brainstorming process that lead to music in the halls. “We figured that we’d do the fight song after school and then a fun song in the morning,” said McClure. Viva La Vida by Coldplay was the first song to be played through the intercom system. The fight song, however, did not work after school.
Playing music in the morning was also a problem, but not of the technical nature. The Council was notified that music in the morning would interfere with Zero Hour Physical Education and anyone who might be trying to take a test. Still determined, the Council decided that music during the passing periods flanking Advisory would fit nicely.
For the first several weeks of music, songs were individually selected, reviewed by the administration for appropriateness, and then burnt to a CD. This process worked. Songs by Rihanna, Jason Mraz, and John Mayer were played, but streamlining was desperately sought after.
Since then, one long song list was created and burnt to a CD. Even though this list has been finalized, McClure said that the Council is open to any requests if they are made at the Student Council meetings on Tuesday mornings. In the days approaching Winter break, more holiday themed music was selected.
Playing the music over the intercoms is extremely low tech. “We literally take the phone and put it next to the boom box,” said McClure with satirical tone.
Although a source of stress to the Council, the difficulties did give the Senior Class an idea for part of the class gift. “We are going to have new speakers put in throughout the main hallway,” said Mclure, who quickly reinsured that this expenditure would only take up approximately $2,000 out of the $20,000 budget for the class gift.
Once installed, sometime in the fourth quarter of the school year, the Senior Class hopes to play music during the last minute of every passing period.
Along with making playlists, the Senior Class is preparing to distribute official eight dollar senior t-shirts and is investigating the possibility of a senior only casual dance. If allowed, it would likely take place in January in the cafeteria. No guests would be permitted.
By Jonathan Oskvarek, news & web editor
