September is upon us, and with that, the first few weeks of the new school year are complete. It's been a busy time on The Hill with lots of athletic events, preparation for upcoming theater productions in both the Junior School and High School, and a few of our annual recognition ceremonies to honor milestones at MBA.
Before their registration, each of the 150 incoming seventh-grade students spent time with their senior Big Brothers – first at a campus scavenger hunt and pizza party, followed by the Pinning Ceremony Breakfast. Twelfth-grade Big Brothers picked up their seventh-grade Little Brothers for their first day at MBA and presented them with the waffle pin. Speakers at the ceremony included Warner Hart from the 2027 senior class and Luke Brown, Junior School teacher and coach and 2006 graduate from MBA.
“With this pin, we pledge our support and resources, and we recognize your immense potential,” Brown shared. “While you enter here as a boy, we all anticipate in the coming years that you will continue to become a good man and honor the ideals of ‘Gentleman. Scholar. Athlete.’”
The next MBA milestone tradition comes in ninth grade, when students receive their MBA patch. Freshman students were greeted by the senior members of Student Council in front of their families and friends to recognize their transition into the High School. It's a big step up — both for students making the move from Massey and those entering the school for their first year — and the students were reminded of the expectations that come with their newfound High School status.
“While it’s challenging, MBA can be an incredible place to grow. There really is nowhere else like it,” senior speaker Robert Hart told the freshmen. There’s something very special about shared hardships. The stress and difficult situations build powerful bonds between you and your friends. I encourage you to take pleasure through the trials and rejoice in the camaraderie it will instill in you.”
We take this time to recognize and congratulate our seventh graders and ninth graders, and wish them all the best as the start of school continues on!