May Day


The sun shone brightly on Lakeview last Friday, as the community gathered at 11am to celebrate a beloved school tradition, May Day. By noon it was over. Make no mistake, May Day was not a regular 60-minute school performance. Imagine May Day COVID-19 style, held outdoors for the first time at Lakeview's athletic stadium, with special guests and parents of performers seated in chairs along the running track, and lower school students in the bleachers. In its debut performance, Lakeview's band, Lakeview Fanfare, Fife & Drum, introduced the program with a brilliant fanfare, followed by the traditional 5th grade maypole dance. Dancers spaced out on the green grass around two poles and navigated colorful ribbons at high speed. Next, former Lower School Director Beth Grindle presented much-deserved teaching awards to Kimberly Nottingham (LS), Lacy Crumley (MS), and Cece Conrath (US) to rapturous applause, followed by the seniors processing across a beautifully decorated stage as part of the May Court. Jackie Allen, Lakeview's 2018 May Queen, crowned senior Mary Michael Callaghan 2021 May Queen, and incredible music performances by the Lakeview Chamber Orchestra, Lakeview Fanfare, Fife & Drum, and Upper School Chorale complimented the final item in the program: recognizing the service and retirement of two of Lakeview's most beloved employees, Lower School Director Brent Drury and Maintenance staff member Anthony Smith. 
 
It didn't matter that May Day was not in May at all, but in fact April, and that we were in the middle of...
... a global pandemic. It was 60 minutes of pure bliss, seeing each other's smiling faces for the first time in a year (or, in my case, seeing some faces for the first time ever); it was the music, the singing, the dresses, the dancing, the mixing of grades, the accolades, and recognition of years of hard work. It was the camaraderie, and the tradition. It was surviving a dark year, and almost feeling like being let out of prison (to clarify, I imagine that's how one might feel). There will be many more occasions like this as we finish the school year strong and look forward to the fall at Lakeview.

What will the fall look like? Some details are yet to be ironed out (such as the date of my ritual mask burning in a giant bonfire outside my office). What I can say for sure is that I do anticipate either a normal or very close to normal school year next year, including a return to the uniform and dress code, opening the cafeteria, and a regular event schedule with full participation. I also know that we will still offer Remote School, but in a more robust, standalone format. In short, I am more excited than ever for the future of Lakeview, and May Day reminded me why I am so proud (and blessed) to be a Lion. Help me shape that future by completing the community survey, that will be sent out via email next week. The feedback you give will play a crucial role in helping us understand your experiences—and make any improvements, both now and in the future.
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Lakeview Academy is a private, coeducational day school for students in preschool through 12th grade, located in Gainesville, GA minutes off I-985/Hwy 365.
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