Tie Earning Process: Freshmen do not begin their time at SMA with a tie--they must earn it. The freshman class collectively creates a class identity for their tie color and presents it to Administration, Faculty, Staff, the Senior class, and Freshman families in attendance. To do this, they select a class mascot, patron Saint, and motto that best represents who they want to be as their class tie color. The class also selects a popular song with a positive and uplifting message and then rewrites it to chronicle their journey at SMA, memorizes it, and performs it at the presentation. Lastly, the Freshman class must memorize and perform the SMA Alma Mater, whose lyrics date back to the 1930s and our time at the old Slauson and Crenshaw campus. A polished and graceful presentation will earn the Freshman class their tie, which they are surprised with at a later date unknown to them.
Big Sister - Little Sister Events: During Freshman orientation, 9th graders fill out a survey indicating their personal interests. These surveys are given to the Senior Class Student Leadership Council officers who pair Freshmen with Senior Big Sisters. The Seniors host a “Mystery Week” where Seniors leave anonymous clues on their Freshman Little Sisters’ lockers, sharing their own interests with their Little Sister and giving clues about who to look out for on Reveal Day, the culminating event of the week where Freshmen find their Big Sister on the Senior Lawn and enjoy a picnic and welcome party with the Seniors. Throughout the year, Seniors and Freshmen take turns in planning Big Sister - Little Sister events around holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
