Mercer Island High School hosts Future Islander Night

By Ella Will, For the Reporter

On Jan. 25, Mercer Island High School (MIHS) hosted Future Islander Night, a three-hour open house event for current middle school students and prospective families.

Doors to the MIHS commons opened at 5 p.m. with a 30-minute pre-event showcase with tables for student groups and departments such as the robotics club, the student radio station, the pottery club, the marching band, and a performance from the improv club.

The event kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with a show from the marching band to lead attendees to the gym. Principal Nick Wold, the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), and the Associated Student Body (ASB) leaders gave opening remarks and speeches about what it means to be a snail — the MIHS school mascot. After the speeches was a student-made video from “The Current,” an MIHS TV service about what makes the high school unique.

All of the speakers who gave welcome speeches emphasized the importance of community at MIHS, and how the school has all the qualities of a small private school and the opportunities of a large school. It is important for students to feel like they can explore their identities and futures at MIHS, Principal Wold said.

“I would like all of our students and families to know that regardless of what you are passionate about, we have a place for you at Mercer Island High School. If you want to be involved in athletics, the arts, high academics, service, or social justice issues, Mercer Island High School has a place for you. That’s what makes us unique and special because all students feel celebrated here and we have something for everybody,” Wold said.

“MIHS is the ultimate American high school experience,” said MIHS student Clara Mak, co-president of the ASB.

At 6:15 p.m., the building was made available for attendees to roam around the various information booths, and classroom visits were encouraged. The booths had representatives from different MIHS academic departments, student counseling, Advanced Placement assessments, athletic teams, and student groups/clubs. The classrooms available for exploration were art rooms, including the culinary classroom, the media/film classroom, and a workshop for hands-on learning.

Future Islander Night welcomed 26 different student groups and represented 30 student leaders, as the event is a “beautiful time to celebrate the current students and let prospective students see the many opportunities MIHS offers,” Wold said

“While Future Islander Night is to attract families, it is also to inform them about the people behind the school, because it’s the people that make our school come alive,” Wold said. “As we think about belonging in our school, our primary focus is around relationships. It’s building deep bonds and connections with our students, faculty, and community members that represent the core values that this school prides itself on.”

In addition to the school’s value for relationships, the MIHS community loves to give back, Wold said. They are generous with their resources, community members often coming in to classes and engaging with students to further their learning, he said. MIHS has lots of volunteer and social opportunities for students, and the school is proud that MIHS produces “fierce advocates” who donate their time, energy, and passion to the community, he said.