Since Archer was founded in 1995, the iconic Maypole tradition has been a staple of Moving Up Day. This celebration will take place on the last day of school, May 29, where the sixth graders will weave colorful ribbons together to signify a new year and the start of summer.
Sixth grader Sonoma Klungness said the Maypole tradition is important to her because it signifies togetherness and an appreciation of Archer traditions.
“It just means unity among the sixth graders, moving up grades,” Klungness said, “and embracing Archer traditions.”
Coco Broccoli (’32) said, to her, the Maypole tradition means making new connections and strengthening friendships. She said it signifies the end of the school year.
“The Maypole means friendship altogether,” Broccoli said, “and working together to braid the Maypole and complete the dance.”
Director of Middle School Reed Farley said the Maypole tradition has significant importance to the Archer community and the Brentwood neighborhood as a whole. Farley said the anticipation and excitement of this tradition brings out the people in the community during May.
“People in this community look forward to every May, seeing the gorgeous Maypole be mounted,” Farley said. “There is a tradition in the community that we’re upholding, and then again, of course, what it symbolizes to us as an institution.”
The sixth graders practice for this tradition either on the backfield or in the Zeller Student Center. Farley said each practice looks different depending on the two varying locations. Practice occurs on the back field once the students learn the steps to the dance. In the Zeller Student Center, practice is focused on learning those steps by watching past performances and getting to know each other as a grade.
“In the Zeller Student Center, we use archival videos of the previous year where the kids are wrapping the Maypole, so the sixth graders will have a visual aid to help them learn the steps,” Farley said. “Then, once they learn the steps, they practice weaving in small groups on the practice Maypole in the back.”
The whole sixth grade class works together to weave the ribbons into a pattern. Jordan Peteren (’32) said the Maypole dance and tradition are a way of bringing together the class and the rest of the community.
“It’s a sense of community, in a way, because I’m doing this with all of my friends and classmates,” Peteren said. “It’s ending the first year and starting the next.”
Farely said the tradition is viewed as a celebration. He said the month of May for Archer is vital and an important time for the sixth graders.
“The Maypole tradition is a symbol of the end of the school year,” Farley said. “So when we see that Maypole go up, we know that the month of May will be a month of celebration of students sharing their vibrant work.”
Klungness said the Maypole tradition reflects growth and a transition. She said it wraps up the year.
“It’s important because I feel like it’d just be sad if we went from sixth grade to seventh grade without culminating anything meaningful,” Klungness said. “I think it ends our sixth grade year very sweetly and meaningfully.”
