Traditions Add Sparkle to Academy Celebrations

Boys carol at girls’ houses the night before winter break begins, but that’s just one of the seasonal traditions at Milton Academy, where many rituals date back to the School’s early days.

The Winter Concert, an evening of instrumental and choral music showcasing talented Milton Academy students, will be held this year on December 12. Prior to the Winter Concert, Robin Robertson will host a tea, an informal drop-in event in her home. It is a great opportunity to greet Dr. Robertson, faculty and other parents. An earlier seasonal concert is scheduled for December 10, and Holiday Vespers are December 15.

The boarding community has longstanding traditions including a holiday dinner and caroling. On the night before winter break, boarding students are joined by house faculty and members of the administration for a festive dinner. Diners sing The Twelve Days of Christmas, in which the “Five Golden Rings” chorus is sung only by seniors. (Actually, the volume and gusto with which the seniors sing would make “screaming” a more accurate description.) Following dinner, the boys serenade the girls' houses with carols. Individual houses may partake in “secret Santa” exchanges, which bestow many kindnesses and a small gift on each participant. The student organization, ONYX, has added Kwanzaa to Milton’s seasonal festivities. (“Kwanzaa” means “first fruits of the harvest.”) Last year, they teamed up with chaplain Ed Snow and invited the community to join in their celebration.

Another newer holiday celebration occurs on the day before winter break (this year, December 16). The entire Milton community gathers in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center to share a variety of holiday presentations. The holiday assembly includes performances by School vocal groups and the advanced dance class, and the reading of a favorite children’s story by Robin Robertson, with the assistance of Lower School students. Seniors carry balloons, marking their status as leaders of the School.

The Community Service Program is in high gear during this holiday season. Shortly before Thanksgiving break, students participate in the Oxfam Hunger Banquet. At lunch, students are randomly assigned to low, middle and high-income groups, in proportion to the economic status of the world’s population. Each income group eats a lunch of rice and water, rice and gravy or the usual lunch fare, respectively. The dollar savings are donated to Oxfam.

Armed with a list of Boston-area children's “wishes” provided by various community service groups, Andrea Geyling, director of community service, matches them with Milton students. The students donate wrapped gifts, which are passed on to brighten the holidays for less fortunate children. In addition, this year, Milton students will host children from a Dorchester shelter for a holiday party which will reflect the varied religious and cultural celebrations of the season.

Of course, evidence of the holiday season can be found just by looking around campus. The School buildings display wreaths, adorned with bright white or silver ribbons. Some houses choose to display their own Christmas lights and Chanukah menorahs. Celebrations of specific religious traditions may be held, organized by culture groups such as the Middle Eastern Club or the Jewish Student Union.

At Milton, just as in the larger community, the holiday season is busy and exciting. The students have many opportunities to come together and share in the lighter pleasures of the season, to remember and honor one another and to give to others who may be less fortunate.

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