John Butler Throughout 2025, there have been a variety of changes at MSJ, with many new traditions and updates introduced that are helping contribute to a better student life and an overall happier MSJ community. Plus, it has given students more opportunities to interact with one another and connect with new students.
One of the changes this year was to school uniforms. Every Friday, MSJ allows students to not have to wear a tie, as long as they wear a blazer along with their dress shirt. This gives students a more relaxed dress code and, for people who find ties uncomfortable, a more enjoyable experience throughout the school day. This update has been well-received by practically everyone, and despite it being a small change, it has made many people happy.
Another new addition this year was Gael Time. This is a monthly activity where students have a variety of opportunities, from poker to grilling. This has allowed students to meet new people and spend more time with their friends, while still being in school. It also gives students a break from a normal day and a fun activity to look forward to. Personally, I think this is a great addition to MSJ, and it has been the best received by students out of all the things that have been added this year.
MSJ has also implemented lanyards for students to wear with their IDs. In the near future, most buildings at MSJ will have ID readers for security, so students will need to scan their IDs to enter most buildings. Many schools have already begun implementing this new security protocol, but most people do not enjoy this addition, since it makes it more inconvenient to have a lanyard around their neck at all times and to have to scan it to get into buildings. Plus, if you accidentally forget it at home, it will be a problem for you to get to class, and you’ll have to rely on someone else to open the door for you.
During the Christmas season this year, MSJ has also introduced the 12 Days of Christmas event. Each day a new activity or event would be happening at the Mount, from hot chocolate giveaways, to ornament making. This has made a cold and unforgiving December a lot more enjoyable for students, and has made the Mount seem a lot more festive than it has in previous years.
Overall, these new changes to MSJ have been very beneficial for students and have greatly improved student life. Though these changes may feel small on their own, they are bringing the MSJ community together and making the school environment more engaging, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone. These initiatives strengthen MSJ’s school spirit, encourage student involvement, and show MSJ’s continued effort to adapt.
Jack Butler is a senior member of the Multimedia Journalism class.
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Benjamin Shumaker 
William Southern 
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