Sasha Poradun
For the students of North, a sense of belonging is in every hallway, every classroom and every interaction. Each morning students are kindly greeted by North’s Dean of Culture Kevin Shubnell, who makes it a point to interact with every student entering the main entrance. Small interactions like this throughout the day contribute to this general sense of belonging.
However, it’s not just the students who benefit from this sense of belonging. The teachers, too, find community within these walls. Amidst the recent Board of Education decisions that have seemed to dismantle North piece by piece, teachers gathered on Feb. 27 at the Board of Education meeting to display foam bricks adorned with words encapsulating what North means to them. They aligned the bricks neatly on the stage to showcase the strength of North’s community. In a profession often marked by challenges and uncertainties, the close bond between faculty and staff here at North serves as a daily source of inspiration for students. Teachers have not only prepared us to be academically rounded, but they have also instilled in us the principles of hard work, dedication and leadership.
Throughout the school year, each class becomes more than just a group of students — it becomes a family, bound together by shared experiences, triumphs and challenges. Together, we weather the stress of exams, lend a helping hand to those in need and celebrate victories on the field. Students at North are known not only for their academic excellence but the support system they have built for one another within the school. For many students, North is more than a building, it is a second home. Throughout each school day, students are seen motivating and inspiring one another, without each other, we wouldn’t possess the unbreakable strength we exhibit today.
There are various extracurricular activities where students can discover a sense of belonging throughout the building, whether through writing poems for Harbinger or leading a Student Council meeting. With resources like National Honor Society tutoring and Kids Need Opportunities To Socialize, students can collectively learn from one another, allowing us to grow in understanding of each other’s diverse perspectives. Our administration, staff and faculty provide us with so many opportunities to excel in our passions.
Norsemen showcase their pride after the school day ends through school sporting events and supporting the performing arts. The student body collectively shows up to numerous sporting events and performances each year, through wins and losses and pioneering performances, we continue to believe in one another and continue to show up for each other. We not only attend, but we also dress according to the theme, chant enthusiastically, award standing ovations and relish each other’s company.
However, as Norsemen, it is our responsibility to support each other beyond the confines of the school building. Students are encouraged to attend the Board of Education meetings held on select Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Brownell Middle School, to stay informed about important matters affecting our education and school community. The student voice can be even more impactful on the Board of Education’s decisions and the influence of the opinions is felt throughout our community. With our voices, we can show being a student at North teaches you resilience and the bond between students, administration, staff and faculty is indestructible.
