H-B Woodlawn - Traditions

Traditions

The school's motto is Verbum Sap Sat, short for the Latin Verbum sapienti sat est, meaning "A Word to the Wise is Sufficient."

HB Woodlawn is run on the belief that left with responsibilities, students will learn and get work done. They are given privileges such as going off campus, going to Town Meeting, etc. The school is run using Town Meeting, a way of voting by students and faculty and all others on how to run the school. In Town Meeting, participants use a silent method of agreeing and disagreeing using their hands (a "fist nod" to agree).

Another tradition is the Teacher/Senior Play, at the beginning of the year, and the Teacher Play, at the end of the year. At first day of school play, it is tradition for the students to scream over the principal, Frank, or chant "Frank the Tank," not allowing him to speak for roughly five minutes.

Before Thanksgiving break, H-B's physical education teachers organize the Turkey Bowl, where the junior and senior face off in flag football.

The most notable tradition is H-B graduation. It takes places in their gym--it is incredibly informal. Family and friends are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Each TA (Teacher Advisor) presents their graduating seniors and write a two to five minute speech about their experience at H-B, thus graduation tends to run long. TA's normally give a funny, gag gift to the graduating senior as well as a lai. At the end of graduation (as well as the end of the year play), Frank and other faculty who can play guitar and sing preform a sing-a-long to "Feet of a Dancer" by Charlie McGettigan and "Good Riddance" by Green Day. By the time you're a senior, you'll have the lyrics memorized.

Another familiar song at H-B is "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. It is last song played at prom, or the last spring dance. Students traditionally form into a swaying circle, belting the lyrics.