By Tekajah Lewis
Booker T. Washington High School
At Booker T. Washington High School, we have something called morning assembly where we come together as one body to hear announcements, go through our morning rituals, and learn about our character education word of the month. As a freshman, this was all so new to me and I did not understand why we were doing what we were doing but as time went on, I realized what the true meaning behind this was. At first, I thought it was a one time thing to welcome us back to school like all of the other schools did but I realized that this high school was different than any other school I’ve been to: a school that cares about the students and their well being. I also thought that I would ever use see the character education words that were given to me but I figured out that I have been using those words all the time without me even knowing what the meaning was behind those sacred words.
The morning assembly is used as a confidence booster while also instilling a new word and character trait in our minds and our hearts. My principal has stated that this is used for this manner as well as having a way to converse with some of our classmates and schoolmates before the hard school day begins. She has also stated on numerous occasions that other schools such located in the Auburn and Opelika area wish they had a familial bond and environment as well as being able to have morning assembly the way we do with joy, laughter, and love. By participating in morning assembly, not only has my confidence increased but I’ve learned words that even I didn’t know and I am very grateful for that. Being in that type of environment and atmosphere in the morning when you get on the gym floor to do your part is exhilarating. Knowing that you have supportive people and smiling faces in the audience, you won’t even realize that it’s scary or that you are even down there.
Morning assembly turned out to be helpful to by allowing me to be more confident in my words and knowing that what I say has an impact on everyone. I have been able to get out of my shyness a bit and become a GEAR UP Alabama Writing Ambassador as well as leading a solo in the school choir. I know that other students may have either had similar experiences or totally different experiences than what I had but I can honestly say that this morning ritual has changed my life in ways that I didn’t even realize. Overall, my principal has taught me so much in my four years of being here and I can say that they were some of the most helpful years of my life. I’m thankful for her character and her drive to help students and empower them as well as giving tough love when it is due.
