The all-school holiday assembly is one of Charles Wright’s oldest and richest traditions.  This school has a unique mission to empower our students to achieve their personal best in mind, body, and spirit.  And this campus has a unique sense of community.  The holiday assembly is a product of both those forces and it’s one of the most important school functions held each year.

There is a very good reason that we don’t often put all 732 students in the same room.  For one thing, there are only two spaces on campus that can hold everyone – the Wight Gym and Tarrier Dome.  For another, it’s hard to keep all 732 on their best behavior.  The holiday assembly is special though and everyone from Beginning Schoolers through the senior class is attentive, respectful and engaged.

Chaplain Mike Moffitt led the assembly this year, and the program clearly and comfortably reflected the school’s new spirituality statement, approved by the board in May, 2007:

Founded under the auspices of the Episcopal Church, Charles Wright Academy has always strived to educate the whole child.  CWA welcomes diversity in religious and spiritual beliefs by accepting students of any faith or none and respects that each person’s spiritual journey is unique and is shaped by many forces.  The school inspires students’ spiritual growth by exposing them to diverse sources of wisdom from the world’s great religious traditions.  Led by the Chaplain, CWA seeks to deepen students’ understanding of world faiths and to celebrate common values of faith, respect, compassion and courage.  CWA promotes a strong commitment of service to the community.  We educate students to believe they can make a difference as responsible global citizens.

The assembly included performances by the Lower School Choir, the Middle and Upper School String Orchestra and Band, and the Upper School Vocal Ensemble and Charles Wright Choir.  There were readings from the Bible, a message from the Chaplain, and in total darkness students lit candles borrowed from Charles Wright families of many faiths – a Christian Advent wreath, a Jewish Hanukkiah (a Hanukkah menorah), a Unitarian chalice, Hindu and Sikh Diyas, a Kwanzaa Kinara, and a Wican solstice candle.  After a moment of silence, the youngest Tarrier – a four year old girl in the Beginning School – was lifted up by a senior girl to light the Charles Wright community candle.

At Charles Wright, even a moving ceremony full of tradition can not be concluded without a bit of humor.  So, when the lights came back on, the Vocal Ensemble took center stage with their 2007 rendition of the Fruitcake Song.  Since its début at the holiday assembly in 1993, the Fruitcake Song has become a great favorite at Charles Wright and the whooping and hollering began before the singers had even found their places. 

The ceremony concluded with the entire student body enthusiastically singing Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and Jingle Bells.

Happy Holidays!