From the Editor

When I arrived on Cannon’s campus in November of 2014, one of the very first events I photographed as the new marketing and communications manager was Project Wrap-In. Held on the first Friday in December, the schoolwide event allowed me to truly witness, for the first time, what was so special about the culture at Cannon School.

Students poured in, dressed in the tackiest of holiday sweaters, or pajamas, or elf shoes that really jingled. Their arms were filled with presents, selected with care and destined for children less fortunate. There was tape and wrapping paper and music everywhere. The excitement was palpable.

Upper and Middle School students joined forces with Lower Schoolers, helping them make careful cuts; trying to figure out dimensions together. (How does one wrap a basketball?) By the end of the morning, thousands of gifts were carted away to selected nonprofits. I could only hope that the project’s goodwill was wrapped into each one.

At Cannon School, we take our traditions seriously. Our students dream about how they will plant their feet during Tug-of-War on Gold & Maroon Day, what the Middle School Advisory Games theme will be, and whether their House will emerge victorious the day the Gossage Cup is presented.

All these traditions help make our culture special. These days allow us to come together as a community, for the good of the community. Despite the gap in our ages—with students as young as 5 and teachers as old as…well, we’ll let you finish that thought—our Cannon traditions allow us to experience something unique and fun and meaningful, together.

This issue came together with the help of two senior students who have become incredibly special to me—Skylar Couture and Ella Kungl. Since August, these two have served as my interns, learning the ropes of marketing and content. They used their own experiences with traditions to write several articles in this issue. We hope that you read the following pages and think back to the times that you, or your child, were bubbling with excitement and joy regarding one of our special traditions. They are what helps make us all Cougars.

Amy Reiss Editor, Cannon Magazine