This is part of a series of blogs from Noble campus representatives to give a deeper look at campus life.
After returning from a hardworking summer preparing for our Catamounts return, Gary Comer College Prep opened our doors for the first day of school on August 23, 2023.
“We are tired – we have been preparing for your arrival all summer long,” said JuDonne Hemingway, Principal of Gary Comer College Prep, to a room full of students on that first day.
This year, we wanted to go big and nothing less than that to celebrate how we are one BIG Comer family, from the middle schoolers to the high schoolers. The first day gave everyone a chance to smile.
Staff stood outside the doors and welcomed our students with roars of “Welcome back, scholars!” Positive energy bounded around the school as students greeted their favorite staff members and peers. The first day also allowed students to recenter themselves in the school community as our staff set the stage for a school culture that is consistent and gracious.
This year, we welcomed 294 freshmen into our Catamount family. Throughout the day, they were excited to meet new people and see what Comer has to offer. Sitting in their advisory spaces for the first time, freshmen got to “break the ice” and get to know each other and learn more about Comer and all Noble schools’ mission this year – to create school spaces that are clear, consistent, and connected.
“I am excited to meet our freshmen and to give them a high school experience that they can brag about in the future,” said Raeven Funnye, Culture Specialist and 2015 Alum of Gary Comer College Prep.
Gary Comer College Prep senior Sakai said he's excited for the school year.
Davontae, another student at GCCP, poses outside the school during the Back to School BBQ.
We also welcomed back our upperclassmen and pumped them up for the new paths they are about to embark on with the SAT, applying to college, and ensuring they are ready to succeed and thrive in higher education.
“I am excited to be back at Comer because, after a while, the summer gets boring. I was ready to see my friends and teachers and prepare to apply for college,” said Sakai, a senior and student-athlete.
Comer also decided to do something different this year for the first day. We wanted our African-American male staff presence to be felt more on campus this year so that our Black and Brown young men know they have someone there who looks like them to support and provide guidance.
Lawrence Jackson, Director of Athletics and External Partnerships, spent this summer creating the Comer Black Male Initiative to do just this. The Comer Black Male Initiative team greeted students at the front door to shake hands and say good morning.
Members of the Comer Black Male Initiative lining up to greet students on the first day.
Their presence was well-received and such a vibrant experience for scholars. Students smiled and gave high fives to each member of the initiative in the line.
“Our idea was to have an immediate impact as the Black male staff so the students can see our faces and be greeted with a warm and gracious good morning from people who look like them,” Jackson said, “We want to show that we are aligned with the safety and unity of our community and One Comer.”
After a great first day, the Catamount community is ready to take on the rest of the 2023-2024 school year.
