Lament not for the passing of Thanksgiving, for it is the season of winter! As students are preparing for the final push to their semester finals, Christmas closes in, and the town of Concord begins to see signs of snow. In the festive spirit of the winter, another exciting event will happen before students are off to break: Senior Holiday Chapel.
Designed to celebrate a semester of students’ hard work and the coming of Christmas, the Senior Holiday Chapel is a Concord Academy tradition that takes place on the last day before winter break. From poetry readings to songs and skits, seniors would give various kinds of performances to the boarding community and their families. This event is a fabulous way for the boarding community to conclude the fall semester, and it will, as per tradition, be organized by the senior class advisors and student volunteers who will participate.
Due to the special circumstances of last year’s remote learning model, Senior Holiday Chapel did not happen during the 2021-22 school year, and only Holiday Concert took place online. As we return to the CA campus fully in person, it is certainly a delight to see this great tradition carry on. In addition, Senior Holiday Chapel signifies the beginning of a series of senior class events throughout the rest of the academic year, including Coffeehouse, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.
As seniors step into the chapel this year singing “Dona Nobis Pacem” with candles in hand, the Senior Holiday Chapel will not only be a celebration but also be a reminder: that despite hardship, some parts of this community are never lost, and we will continue to hold tight together this year.