A night to remember for a principal to remember

It was “an event that felt like Mr. Hughes,” said Spanish teacher Sean Capkin, a member of the Sean A. Hughes Memorial Committee. On March 10, over a year since the death of beloved LM principal Sean Hughes, a memorial fundraiser was held to honor his memory. Hughes had a long and distinguished career serving LMSD, first as a teacher, then as assistant athletic director, athletic director, assistant principal, and finally as principal of LM. Interviews with those who knew him reiterated one consistent theme: his unwavering commitment to the school, its students, and their families. His presence and character left an unforgettable and heartwarming sense of community at LM that persists to this day. The memorial party was a fitting testament to Hughes’ impact and legacy, and it was a deeply emotional and moving occasion that brought people together to celebrate his life and the lasting impact he had on so many.

Following his passing, close family and friends of Hughes produced a plethora of ideas to honor his memory: “Can we name the new junior high school after him?” “How about a memorial?” “Is it going to be a field or a building?” “A statue or a mural?” Ultimately, the idea of an active garden was born, bridging the area between LM and the district administration offices. The artist recruited to design and construct the memorial is Harriton High School graduate from the class of 2001, Miguel Antonio Horn. In order to raise money for this memorial, among other projects

Maya Zada ’26

to honor Hughes’ legacy, a chosen committee of Hughes’ friends and family from a variety of his communities came together. Once a fund was established, planning for the Sean A. Hughes Memorial Fund Kickoff Party began.

The kickoff event was held at the Great American Pub in Conshohocken. Funds were amassed from tickets for the event, raffle sales from prizes donated by Philadelphia sports teams, local businesses, community families, 50/50 tickets, and other smaller prizes. The Saint Patrick’s Day themed party was a colossal success. Altogether, fundraising exceeded expectations and goals, amassing a total of over 16,000 dollars raised.

The Sean A. Hughes Memorial Committee is an extraordinary group comprised of the committee president, Kristi Hughes, student representative Michelle Kelly ’23, as well as Hughes’ close friends and colleagues, many of whom are LM administrators and teach- ers. However, one of the most noteworthy attributes of the event was that LM students participated as volunteers. With so many teachers, LM alumni, and students working together, it united the community, just as Hughes did. The fundraiser was just the beginning. In the future, the committee plans to host a golf outing and 5K run to continue raising money for the memorial, and children’s book, scholarships, and other items to honor Hughes’ legacy.

Students are required to sign their names in when they enter the building late after having a free period, or sign out when they leave the school early.

Just a week before spring break, students sat down during advisory to watch a video. It was a presentation made by Dr. Johnson updating the student body, focusing on some issues that stirred mixed opinions. Discussed in this presentation were some new rules, most that would be implemented when returning from the break. While some of the new rules were generally accepted, one in particular caused much angst and disruption. This rule stated that students no longer had access to the majority of doors around the school during the day. Essentially, the main office and Kobe Bryant Gymnasium entrances were the only ones to be utilized by students. Additionally, they were not permitted to enter or leave school from the side entrances for free periods, appointments, or to move their cars. Instead, students are now directed to sign in or out at the office whenever they enter the building late or leave early as a result of free periods at the beginning or end of the school day. This new regulation impacted students greatly, as the ability to leave for any purpose, including to move their cars, is now limited.

While students still enter through these side doors in the morning, new regulation prevents students from exiting through these same doors.

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One of the most prominent concerns amongst students regarding Dr. Johnson’s decision is how students will continue to use twohour parking. Parking is consistently a problem for LM students, primarily due to the lack of lot space and an excess of students who drive to school. Seniors are able to enter a lottery for one of a few highly-coveted parking spots at the beginning of the school year. With such limited parking, many students, especially juniors who don’t have access to the lottery, opt to use the two-hour parking in LM’s surrounding neighborhoods, especially near Owen Road. These spots are mostly accessed via door 23, near the Spanish and Engineering classrooms. Students who need to move their cars before being ticketed after two hours in a spot typically use the door heavily throughout the course of the day. While this practice always violated LM rules, these new regulations prohibit this behavior, impacting LM students who previously used this form of parking.

Though the school rule preventing students from leaving the premises had been in effect before Dr. Johnson became principal,

Opinions

it was never strictly enforced by past administrators. This sudden change was abrupt for many students. In the past, especially due to students who could easily go home during the day or those who accessed their cars off campus, the idea of a “closed campus” was not entirely maintained. It became a privilege that students took for granted. However, students who didn’t expect the change in policy are now finding alternative practices since they cannot leave the building to move their cars throughout the day, or leave campus if they have a free period. Some students claim that it leaves very few alternatives, if any, for students who must use two-hour parking. Additionally, this rule limits students’ ability to use the side doors during free periods to leave campus. One common spot for the student body is Suburban Square; some students frequented the open-air shopping center during frees or Lunch & Learn. Our school has always been considered a “closed campus,” but the previous lack of specific enforcements allowed students to break this rule without severe consequences. Now, with administrators and campus aides policing the campus more heavily, and with sign-in sheets to ensure students don’t leave unless authorized, students are generally unable to exit the school and return from places like Suburban Square. This is accompanied by signs reminding students not to use any exits around the building during the day except the main office entrance. Additionally, if they have a free at the beginning of the day, they can come to school late but must sign in on the form in the office. The same goes for free periods at the end of the day, as students must sign out before leaving.

With this, students, especially the ones who use two-hour parking, are greatly impacted. On one hand, students who usually use two-hour parking could just take the bus to school. On the other hand though, two-hour parking might just be more convenient for them, their situations at home, etc. With all of this in mind, LM students may be confined to using alternate parking places like Suburban Square, or just taking the bus. One thing is evident in light of this news; the leniency at LM is coming to a close.

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