The morning of November 6 was gloomy, the usual lively music and happy greetings evidently absent. No casual banter between middle school students filled the air. Instead, as students trickled into the Mudd Pit, somber sounds of classical music filled the space; violin and cello echoed off of the wood beams. 

     Huddles of students and teachers filled the classrooms. Whispers of, “I just can’t believe it” were met with, “I feel defeated. I really thought we had it.” 

     Director of Lower and Middle School Dr. Zanita Kelly began the morning meeting by addressing the middle school community. Coffee mug in hand and the glimmer of tears in her eyes, she then invited 7th Grade English Teacher Mr. John Cross to share W.S. Merwin’s poem “Thanks,” which expresses the importance of sharing gratitude amidst the darkness.

      Before opening the floor to the students, Dr. Kelly shared, “There is no place I would rather be today than here.”

      She then took a seat among the students, squeezing between a seventh and eighth grader.

      Some students wiped tears from their eyes, leaning their heads on her friend’s shoulder. Sniffles could be heard around the room as both teachers’ and students’ emotions became more visible.   

      In a moment of community support, several students offered words of comfort.  

    “I feel hopeful, because in the next election we [eighth graders] will have power to vote, and our voices will matter,” said Middle School President Sophie G. ’29. 

      Although the sentiment was one of sadness and defeat, some students privately noted that not everyone might be feeling that way.   

      “[There was] not really support for the people who might have been voting for Trump,” Ellie G. ’29 said.

Dr. Kelly assured students, “If you need to be sad today, we want to give you space for that, but also if you want to be really loud today, you can be.”

       As the meeting wrapped up, Dean of Student Activities and Auxiliary Programs Ms. Farrell Heydorff shifted the mood by playing an uplifting Taylor Swift song, “Long Story Short.”

      The morning meeting was a moment to offer support to those disappointed by the election’s results. Regardless of politics, the outpouring of collective support was best summed up by Olivia P. ’29, “I know Westridge will get through this together.”