For over 10 years, it has been a tradition for sixth grade students to perform the Maypole dance every May at Archer. Moving Up Day will take place Friday, May 30, which is when the sixth graders will weave the colorful ribbons together as a way to end the school year and kick off summer. The seniors set up the Maypole, staking each ribbon to the ground, Friday, April 25.
When the Class of 2031 returned to school from spring break, their current dean, Natalie Kang, immediately started teaching them the Maypole dance. Kang said she begins by explaining the meaning and purpose of the Maypole tradition to students. Then, over the course of two months, she splits the grade into two groups so they can rehearse the dance and weaving routine. Sixth grader Sophia Martinez said she appreciates how everyone is involved in the Maypole ceremony.
“[The Maypole] is like saying goodbye to young privileges,” Martinez said. “And of course, saying goodbye to homework.”
Kang said the Maypole is important in the Archer community because of its long-standing legacy and unique role for sixth graders.
“I think the Maypole is iconic and it’s one of Archer’s oldest traditions,” Kang said. “[The Maypole] is something that only sixth graders get to do, and then you get to relive those memories every year when you watch the next class weave it.”
According to Kang, it marks a point of transition as the school year concludes and summer begins. Sixth grader Anika Kaz said the Maypole adds to the community by forming bonds.
“I think [the Maypole] is a really good tradition for the sixth graders to do every year,” Kaz said. “It’s a big part of the community, and it makes everyone feel welcome.”
During the beginning of the ceremony, each student was assigned a partner to skip with as they find their ribbon and begin weaving the Maypole. Sixth grader Evie Mann said the ceremony is focused on the grade as a group, rather than individually, which makes the grade closer.
“I think the ceremony brings everybody together,” Mann said. “We are all working together to make the Maypole look good.”
According to Mann, the Maypole ceremony is a moment of teamwork and collective effort, as students participate in the final steps of the tradition before the school year concludes. Kang said this event allows students to reflect on their experience, and their connection to the Archer community. She said the Maypole ceremony makes the sixth grade feel officially part of the Archer community.
“I think [the Maypole] is important because it gives a sense of belonging by knowing every Archer girl, who’s gone through sixth grade before, did this,” Kang said. “This makes the sixth graders feel like they can do this too and become a part of that family.”
