Due to ongoing complications involving the construction of the bleachers on the football field, this year’s 79th Song and Yell Assembly will feature some exciting twists. Despite some setbacks and disappointments related to a change in location and how the overall event will take shape, Galileo staff and students remain optimistic as they prepare and look forward to the upcoming festivities!
With no finalized date set for when the bleacher construction will be complete, the administration has confirmed that the Song and Yell Assembly—now scheduled for May 23rd, will be held in the auditorium rather than on the football field. ASB Business Vice President, Betsy D. said, “It is not the school’s or the construction company’s fault; the timing was just not in our favor.”
According to A.P. Avar, Song & Yell will follow a double-4th-period schedule with each session lasting 65 minutes. In a new format introduced this year, the freshmen and sophomores will attend Assembly A, while juniors and seniors will be in Assembly B. Additionally, the Move-Up assembly, typically held at the end of the year to commemorate the end of the school year, will be combined, merging the festivities and traditions from both assemblies into one exhilarating event.
Since it is the first time Song and Yell and Move-up Assembly won’t include all grade levels at once, the planning team is actively finding ways to adapt. With planning still in progress, many ideas and suggestions have been circulating regarding how the assembly might take place. “I encourage any staff members and students to be part of the planning committee to foster school spirit and for everyone to have a voice in our community,” A.P. Avar notes. “Everything is still in the works, and there may be complications involving the competition between different grades, the voting process, and sending students in mixed-grade classes to the assembly. People need to voice their opinions so we can make this year memorable.”
To accommodate the challenges of having the assemblies in the auditorium, some portions of the event, such as the skits, will be pre-recorded during the days leading up to the assembly and compiled into a video as opposed to being performed live as usual. While this adjustment is beneficial to the timing and logistics, Betsy says, “I’d rather these skits were performed live and in front of everyone. They’re more exciting and engaging when performed in person and can raise school spirit.”
Many Galileo students and staff agree with Betsy, and overall are disappointed with this format. ASB President Mia F. said that, “It’s an interesting opportunity that we as a school can witness, but I feel sad about it because it’s my last song and yell, and it won’t be outdoors.” Biology teacher Mr. Chinn also said, “It is a little upsetting that it wouldn’t be a traditional Song and Yell, but it’s better than not having the event at all.”
Senior Kayliann S. said, “I’m sad about the new Song and Yell format. While I understand this is the only choice for us to have the Song and Yell, it’s unfortunate that the seniors aren’t able to celebrate by running to the middle after Song and Yell and celebrate their final year at Galileo.”
