Mustang Moments bring student voices to Medford School Committee meetings
Medford students will be able showcase their talents, celebrate their accomplishments, and share projects and initiatives with the community.
The new school year is bringing change to School Committee meetings in the form of student voices.
“We're going to be starting our meetings with the Mustang Moment in that all meetings will start with the voices of students,” said acting Superintendent Suzanne Galusi.
Galusi said the Mustang Moment is meant as an intentional practice where students will celebrate their accomplishments, share projects and initiatives, and showcase talents.
“Students are the why, they’re the reason for why we do this,” she said. “And we want this space to be one where we’re elevating their voices and we’re listening to their perspectives every time we gather as adults who have the power for making decisions.”
The moments
The inaugural moment included three ninth grade students sharing a highlight from a summer art program and three members of the marching band highlighting their upcoming competition.
While the School Department was able to offer three free art programs over the summer, student Cameron Belanger said they wanted to highlight the mural project.
“We began by voting on the message we wanted the mural to convey, as well as the overall theme and vibe of the artwork,” he said. “We also selected the color palette together.”
He said the students knew they wanted something bold, vibrant, and uplifting with a positive message that would reflect the entire school. “Dare to Begin” is the message they chose because, Belanger said, it reflects the courage needed to take risks, try new things, and embrace creativity, and it reminds them that every achievement starts with a first step.
Fellow student Evie O’Shea said they were very proud with how it turned out and with the feedback they’ve been getting from students and staff.
“Our goal was to create something energetic and vibrant but not overwhelming, a mural that inspires and uplifts everyone who walks by each day,” she said.
Students brainstormed ideas and made sketches, which staffers then combined into one single design, said O’Shea. “Collaboration was the key.”
Located in the art wing, right off the main office, the mural has a vibe that is decidedly retro. It is bright and bold and a little 1970’s in style with geometric patterns, clouds, and large flowers. Even the font used is reminiscent of the one used for the 1974 TV series, The Partridge Family.
O’Shea said the mural process taught them to listen to each other, to slow down, and to pay attention to details, “and maybe most importantly, we discovered how important it is to be flexible.”
They are skills the students can use far beyond the mural project, she added.
Jack Mastromatteo said he hoped the mural would inspire all students to “Dare to Begin.”
The second Mustang Moment included members of the marching band and their big news. Their first big event is the Home Show, which will take place at Hormel Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. Percussion captain Gemma Gudino said participants would be traveling from all over the Bay State to perform at what will be their first competition of the season.
“This is a huge event for us, so we would love to see strong support from the community in the stands,” she said. “The Home Show also serves as an important fundraiser to help cover the cost of our staff and other expenses that go into running our program.”
Drum Major Jonas Wirz said the show is a mash up of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” and Shostakovich’s ballad Suite No. 2.
“The music and movement work together to send a message about evolving, breaking down barriers, and connecting with your creativity,” he said. “It's both powerful and inspiring, and we can't wait to share it with our audiences throughout our season.”
To get ready for the big show, Medford High School Color Guard Captain Allie Hopper said they spent two weeks at band camp where they learned the bulk of the routine.
“It's an intense but exciting time filled with long days of practice, teamwork, and growth, “ she said. “We ended camp with a special preview of our show on Friday, August 22, where family and community members were invited to see our progress.”
In addition to the competitions, Hopper said, the show will also be presented at home football games this season, “so the entire school community can experience all of our hard work and the energy we feel.”
