Well-Polished Reality Recruits On its Own
by Abbey Moland
We have neglected to point out that our annual prospective student open house is just a presentation of Marian in every sense of the word. We can throw you the facts, the statistics, explain the curriculum, and we can even give you a well-polished student to shake your hand, smile, and answer your questions. We can rattle off average class size, graduation requirements, and introduce you to every department chair in the building. But there is a lot aside from a good presentation.
No, our male teachers do not normally wear sport coats and female teachers don't always clip through the halls in high-heels and suit dresses. In fact, our faculty usually dons the "business casual dress code" and on Wednesdays they swarm among students in their spirit shirts. Our floors aren't usually so polished and majestically shiny, but our school is comfortably and casually clean. Students don't usually come to school with their hair fixed and their uniforms ironed. "Bedheads" and stapled hems in uniform skirts prove to be the more common trend. Students are obviously more concerned with getting sleep than getting ready, and are more focused on how they will "show up" on an exam than how they will show up for school. Contrary to popular belief, balloon arches aren't found throughout the school on a daily basis either. But spirit signs and birthday wishes plaster lockers throughout every hallway.
If the glitz and the glamour of our good politics and powerful presentation fulfill their mission, we can sell Marian to you in one Sunday afternoon. But this packaged product, neglects to mention one thing: we can never fully and fairly explain what Marian really is. It is the experience, the spirit, and the friendships that cannot be found in any "Did You Know?" book or even captured in any photograph.
We cannot explain the transition students go through from their freshman to senior year or how much they discover and grow within themselves. We cannot begin to express of the unity and the bonds we have made with these girls we call our sisters. We cannot even explain the hysteria of late night study groups at Borders exchanging last minute explanations for a calculus test. Nor can we tell you what it feels like to complete a 100-hour government project, to win a state championship or to rally your class together and simply win a Field Day.
We cannot tell you of the laughs and tears we have shared or of the fond memories laced throughout our time at Marian. But buyer beware: there is more to this package of outstanding statistics, stellar students, and a beautiful presentation. We have forgotten to read you the fine print at the bottom of the contract. It is the experience as a whole that has shaped and formed us into confident, independent young women who seek to learn, grow and give back. Even the shiniest floor can't tell you that.