MKA Gathers to Celebrate 125 Years
“Happy Birthday MKA!” MKA’s rousing All-School Gathering campus welcomes had a new twist this year as they, like much of what followed, celebrated the School’s 125th anniversary. And rather than being filled with an audience in MKA dress code, the Upper School Gymnasium was a sea of gray as 1500 students, faculty, administrators, Trustees and special guests wore special “MKA at 125” T-shirts designed by Megumi Umeda, Class of 2012.
MKA’s 21st annual Gathering to mark the start of a new school year was led by Headmaster Thomas W. Nammack and stayed true to its mission to celebrate the accomplishments of the MKA community. Student successes in academics, the arts and athletics were acknowledged, special members of the community were honored and the diverse talents of the student body were celebrated.
Parent volunteer Marla Higginbotham and former faculty member Jenny Zagariello were recognized for their efforts in chairing the 125th Anniversary committee; Middle School health teacher Scott Coronis, Middle School receptionist Mary Elliot and Development Office Alumni and Parent Assistant Debra Allen were honored for their thirty years of service; new Alumni Association President Rich Stanton ‘87 and new Parents’ Association President Lori Yanes were given special MKA sweaters and science teacher Benjamin Goodrich was presented with the 2012 Founders’ Cup for Teaching Excellence.
Music was provided by the Middle and Upper School Jazz Ensemble, the Brookside Bellringers, the Middle School Chorale Singers and the Upper School Mastersingers, who were joined by special surprise guest soloist, Middle School PE teacher Leon Shade ‘98. In addition to an Upper School Dance III performance, 2nd grade also entertained with their spirited dancing, while the MKA Cheerleaders cheered, the Step Team stepped and some more traditional culture was provided by a group of 8th graders reprising a comic scene from their 7th grade Shakespeare production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Middle School Student Government President Jayson Thompson reflected on the School’s beginnings 125 years ago, while Upper School Student Government President Kira Farris concluded that whatever changes may lie ahead, MKA’s core values of knowledge, vision and integrity will endure for the next 125 years. President of the Board of Trustees Michael Johnson presented special 125th anniversary flags to each campus, and a time capsule, to be opened in 50 years, was filled with items selected from Primary, Middle and Upper School students and the administration.
Maintaining some of MKA’s newer traditions, the senior class welcomed Kindergarten with gifts, and the school year formally started with the ringing of the 19th century Montclair Academy bell by the youngest member of the audience, Sophia Akkaway ‘25. And perhaps a new tradition may have been started, as a tri-campus, six student group enthralled with an a Capella rendition of the School song Oh MKA before the Bellringers led the entire assemblage in singing prior to processing onto Van Brunt Field for a commemorative 125th anniversary photo.
Click here to see video of the Step Team performing
Click here to see Phil Cantor's stop-action video of the 125th photo
Click here to see photos