The Eighth Grade Year: Student Activities

At Mayfield Junior School, the eighth grade is a year of opportunity, responsibility and growth. As the final year in their Mayfield journey and perhaps the most anticipated, students share big expectations with a little apprehension and enthusiasm to make the most of every moment. From organizing major school events such as the Harvest Festival to becoming role models as Student Council officers and heads of School Families and navigating the secondary school application process, there is much to accomplish. Given the opportunity to meet the challenges of the year as individuals and as a group, the class develops strong bonds, and each member grows in confidence.
Creating a Legacy: Student Activites
From organizing major events and Reach Out fundraisers to heads of School Families, every eighth grade student has the opportunity to develop leadership skills through student activities. The challenges of organizing a community event or activity not only build character, but also help students learn about themselves and become more confident in their abilities. Student Council Snack Bars, the Harvest Festival, Christmas Adopt-a-Family, Love Grams and Blue and White Day are designed to develop life skills such as problem solving, time management and collaboration. With the support of the entire community behind them, the eighth graders are encouraged to create their own legacy within these traditions.

Student Council Snack Bars kick off the fundraising for eighth grade Reach Out in early October and continue throughout the school year. Students determine the treats to be served, organize their resources and give up their breaks to serve. Whether root beer floats or cookies, each snack bar is like a mini celebration for the rest of the student body.

The Harvest Festival is perhaps the biggest event the eighth graders produce each year and one of the most anticipated. First held in 1949, over the years the Harvest Festival has been everything from an elaborately themed event with special entertainment to a Halloween party for children from an inner city parish school in the 1970s. Today the eighth grade class is responsible for planning and running the entire festival. Different committees, such as booths and games, the haunted house, food and raffle, solicit donations, book vendors, organize, build and man the booths and market the event. It is a major undertaking that challenges the students to make good choices, show patience and remain focused. With guidance from their advisors the eighth graders always take their responsibilities seriously and produce a successful event.

For nearly two decades the Adopt-a-Family Program at Christmas has brought joy to many women and children at Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles. Gifts are purchased from wish lists distributed each December by the eighth graders in School Families. The eighth graders are responsible for making sure each person on the list receives something, that the gifts are lovingly wrapped, tagged and collected in large boxes for delivery following the Mothers’ Christmas Luncheon.

In February the eighth graders become Cupids bringing expressions of love to every member of the student body with Love Grams. For a nominal fee - all for Reach Out - the 8th graders sell, collect and assemble personal notes and small gifts, and hand deliver them, sometimes even with a heartfelt serenade.

As graduation nears the eighth graders have one final event to plan and host – Blue and White Day. This field day of fun games and crazy races is a springtime ritual and a definitely a favorite when it comes to Mayfield traditions. Since the 1940s, Mayfield students have divided up into teams representing the school colors (back then it was brown and white) and competed in everything from calisthenics and precision marching to badminton and Ping-Pong, with incredible school spirit. The eighth graders decide on the games, collect all the necessary tools and take over the field early in the morning to get things set up. Whether Duck-Duck Goose with first graders, three-legged relays with the fifth graders or the final grade level tug-o-wars, the eighth graders explain, coach and monitor each contest and report on the winners before tallying the final score. Crazy, chaotic and loud- it is the perfect last chance for the impending graduates to let loose and savor the moment as MJS students one last time.