This year there was a change that angered some students in West Milford High School: the 21-year-long tradition of Recognition Assemblies during a double third period was announced to end.

Students agreed that this fun assembly united the school and created a sense of Highlander Pride, but in spite of that fact, it was decided that they would not be returning this year.

The Recognition Assemblies featured all senior athletes, high honor roll students, clubs, and other student athletes who do not participate in a school sport – such as snowboarding and rugby. Each presentation would have its own unique skit between the clips called segues.

These student organized productions required true dedication and a lot of time. To get enough clips to create a great rec piece, the students would have to attend many games and other school events, sacrificing hours of their free time.

In the beginning of the new school year, the administrators believed that more time had to be spent in the classroom learning rather than in an assembly. This caused disappointment and frustration for many students, especially the TV Science students and this year’s seniors.

A petition to be signed by both students and teachers was passed around. Meetings were held with administrators to try to undo this decision. As the rec assemblies appeared to remain cancelled, several students spoke at the recent Board of Education meeting. The petition was presented to the Board with over 500 signatures.

Several points were mentioned in the student’s speeches to the Board, some of which were incorrect, but students fought their hardest. One senior pointed out that these assemblies do not just highlight the athletes and star students – it compliments the TV Science program and the efforts of the students who produced the videos. Without the assemblies, awareness of the TV Science program would be lower and the class may dwindle in enrollment and eventually may not run.

Another senior calculated exactly how much time would be lost by the assemblies. Since the cancellation was due to time lost in class, it actually comes out to be three tenths of one percent of class time lost, out of 8,000 minutes in class yearly. Every speaker agreed that the student body was not involved in this decision, which caused even more disappointment.

Mr. Hessler told NorthJersey.com, “We are not taking it all away. We’re trying to keep the groups in class as much as we can.” The solution was to show the production after school, which happened Dec. 15 and was well attended. Many students have jobs, clubs, or just other events to attend so they were not able to make it, but perhaps the spring assembly will have a better turn out. Most people are in favor of the Rec Assemblies making a comeback and being shown during school time again.