Some people might know me as a face of the announcements, but I didn’t join LMHS TV to fulfill that role. In fact, I joined because I was interested in film tech. My sophomore year, we started announcements back up after COVID and I, along with four seniors and a junior, rebuilt its community. As I grew more comfortable with those five upperclassmen, I began trying out different roles in the mornings and I soon found a new light under the studio lights.
What many people don’t know about announcements is how terrifying it can be. To sit in front of a screen of scrolling text in an empty room, while knowing that over thirty classes are staring at your face on their projector. To me, LM has become a place where I can accept that vulnerability, because I developed a trust with the students watching my blown up face. I trust that they know I am doing my best up there, just as I trust everyone will be kind to me even if I stumble over my words (or start cracking up because someone behind the camera is goofing off.)
It seems weird to trust such a large population, many of whom I don’t know and seemingly have no connection to. Except that I do have connections to them. LM bonds every student that walks through the main entrance (or whatever side entrance people sneak their way into) everyday. We all sit through classes and frees. We all wait half an hour in the lunch line for sushi or acai bowls. We all await 2:40 p.m., when the rest of our days can truly start.
Each student is an individual, but we all share at least one commonality.
For me, that is enough to embarrass myself on the announcements anyday.
I found being involved in LM’s community through clubs such as LMHS TV, Players, Amazing Ace and Sage brought me closer to the school as a whole. I started as a new kid in each organization, knowing almost no one. As time progressed and I got to know each club’s members individually and see what great things we can create together, I found a family. These connections allowed me to understand how connected we as students all are.
School is a trust exercise. We trust our partners will do their work in group projects, we trust our teachers’ grading integrity, we trust our teammates and fellow “players.” Trusting and allowing yourself to be comfortable with the people around you helps them trust you in return. It makes this large population less intimidating, because you can walk circles around this school and find someone new every time. You don’t have to join 100 clubs to be connected to this school, all you need to do is trust.
