Celebrating Tradition in Dark Day

It's not easy keeping a secret. It's even harder trying to keep the secret from 700 or so engaged students, faculty, and staff. And yet that's exactly what occurred earlier this month when a supposed AI expert arrived on campus to give a last-minute, multi-hour assembly. Both students and employees were sent communication Friday morning to meet in the gym at 9:55 and be prepared to spend the next two class blocks listening to the advances of artificial intelligence. When everyone gathered in the gym, Head of School Gretchen Warner, with a presentation at her side, began introductions for the assembly. She was interrupted by two clowns, our own Middle School and Upper School division heads, who had dressed for the comic relief. Mike Davidson and Marshall McCurties entered the gym through the small projector window located at the top of the bleachers. At this point, no one was listening, but trying to understand what was happening. Through the silly string and antics of Davidson and McCurties, it was announced that we were having a Dark Day! Everyone was going to Marymoor Park to see Cirque du Soleil "Echo" under the big top tent. 

This is not the first such Dark Day surprise Overlakers have received. This celebration, based on a Norwegian tradition of holding a surprise event during the darkest days of winter, has been a part of Overlake for decades. It was first started by Dean Palmer, who served as head of school from 1970 to 1984. According to the commemorative book published during the School's 50th anniversary, "Palmer staged a fire drill in a muddy pasture to make the announcement: 'Get on the bus.'" Students, faculty, and staff went skiing for the day! 

Past Dark Day activities also included ice skating and roller skating. More recently to celebrate Overlake's 50th and 55th anniversary, the community went to the Family Fun Center in Tukwila. While the cadence had been every five years, that streak was interrupted this year, in Overlake's 58th year, sparking renewed interest by students of when the next Dark Day may occur!