By Anjuli Niyogi

You slide next to your friend on Mills’ blinding red bleachers. The rally is about to begin. Ryan and Richard, your rally commissioners begin, “What’s up Vikings!?” Your ears seer with the microphone’s high pitched echo. You think to yourself, Why am I here? I could be doing so many other things right now. You may be partially right; screaming at the top of your lungs may seem a little pointless at first, but there’s so much more to rallies and school events than these silly traditions.

First off, school events create a sense of unity and togetherness. If your class can’t come together to scream at a rally, how do you expect to make any other significant change?

More than that, Leadership and other committees put together rallies, dances, and other social events for the student body. I’ve personally seen how many hours class council members stay afterschool on rally weeks to complete posters. Prom committee works tirelessly the few months before prom to put on an unforgettable experience for juniors and seniors. Students and other organizers put a great deal of effort into these school events and it’s disheartening to hear when students aren’t enjoying them, let alone want to enjoy them.

Now you might be thinking, No one else is doing is dancing like a clown at formal!! Why should I be the one to make a fool of myself? Don’t get me wrong,  at first you might feel a little silly dancing the night away at homecoming, but if you start, others will follow your lead. All everyone is looking for is a leader to keep their spirits high and have a good time with at these events. If you create that environment where people are free to unite and still be themselves, not only will others enjoy themselves, but you will too.

Moreover, you only get a few shots at going to prom, formal, and attending Mills’ acclaimed rallies. So, make the most of your time here. You could spend your Friday nights sitting home alone playing video games, bored out of your mind, or you could grab a few friends and attend a home quad night. In 10 years, you’re not going to remember binge-watching the latest Netflix original or the AP classes you took, but rather the good times you shared with some of your best friends.

I’m not telling you to run for the next rally commissioner. Coming from a fellow Leadership student who was not always the most spirited, all I ask is to try a quad or a football game. Scream your heart out at the rallies. Try asking someone to formal, even if its a friend. Be open to going out and trying new things. If you take a couple of these baby steps, I swear you’re going to enjoy your high school experience. You won’t remember it as the most stressful or boring four years of your life, but rather some of the most interesting. High school is the last four years of your childhood, so don’t waste any last bit of it.