Marist held its annual open house on Sunday, October 26. The event provided an opportunity for hundreds of middle school students and families to see all Marist has to offer.
Before visitors were given a student-led tour, they are had a chance to walk around and check out all of the activities.
“All clubs were set up in the main gym, along with sports, so parents can bring their children,” said Mr. Jason Berta, who moderates Guitar Club and Mock Trial. “We have over 40 to 50 clubs and dozens of sports.”
The open house offers a chance for future students to see what their life would be like at Marist high school.
“I think what’s important is that once a seventh or eighth grade student walks into the gym…they see that there are dozens of possibilities that many of which they haven’t heard about and that’s an interesting and unique thing,” said Berta.
Attending families were given a tour of the building by a student ambassador, which is another way students can get involved.
“I think they have the most important role of the day by bringing those students and visiting families through Marist High School, and sharing their own experience,” said Director of Admissions Ms. Kelsey Callahan.
Students give insight about what being a Marist student is like while leading tours.
“A lot of the families, while they do like to hear from the adults in the building, they really want to hear from the students because you are the ones living the life of a Marist student every day,” said Callahan.
Setting up this event takes a lot of preparation, including sprucing up the building and coordinating volunteers.
“It’s a lot of teamwork to run the open house. I have the admissions team here with me and then I work with all of the clubs and club moderators, all of the varsity sport coaches, as well as other departments. I also work with maintenance to make sure that the building looks great, so that we’re showcasing all that we have to offer, and then obviously working with the students,” said Callahan.
Marist’s open house is a well-known event, bringing in many prospective students and families.
“A little over 300 families came through to the open house but close to 400 students. Some families brought multiple of their students with them, ” said Callahan.
A successful event leads to higher enrollment at Marist.
“When a student attends an open house, we have a high rate of those students coming to Marist. We’re pretty similar to last year’s numbers, so we’re hopeful that it translates to a good testing number,” said Callahan.
“I am so happy that I went because now I know more about where things are in the school and I talked to many students who go to Marist,” said sixth grader Camryn Smith. “I am definitely going to Marist now that I know what it’s like. I am going to love it.”
