Four Years, Four New Student Activities Directors. Will Mr. Harris Stick?

Join us as we explore Middlesex's own version of Defense Against the Dark Arts, where the departure of the Student Director of Activities mirrored the cursed post at Hogwarts

Many may still remember Brenna Morrissey's abrupt exit from Middlesex last year which left Middlesex bewildered. Her advisees, for example, were staggered by the wholly unexpected email from the former Director of Student Activities mid-summer announcing her sudden resignation after months of family leave. Similar events concerning the resignation of the Director of Student Activities, in fact, had plagued Middlesex for four years, emerging as a humorous parallel to the turnovers of Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Enter Mr. Harris, the latest contender for the role of Middlesex's own Defense Against the Dark Arts instructors. Despite having no prior experience in this particular realm, Mr. Harris's background in helping students transition to private schools and his passion for working with young minds seemed to be promising qualities that will aid him in breaking the curse. Besides, his accolades as a top marathon runner, including an impressive finish in the Boston Marathon 2023, suggest a stamina that might just be necessary for navigating the assiduous terrain of student activities.

After seven months at Middlesex, Mr. Harris appears to have settled in seamlessly with boarding school life, embracing dorm life at Peabody and, after months of stagnation, finally resuming his marathon training. His adaptation and gradual move to self-discipline, indeed, is not unsimilar to our own struggles as inexperienced new students transitioning to Middlesex, especially to in-class paragraphs and the dreaded five-paragraph essays.

Acknowledging the swirling rumors about the curse of the Defense Against the Dark Arts—sorry, the Student Director of Activities—Mr. Harris greets the joke with a knowing laugh. It seems he's well aware of the legacy he's stepping into as well as the subject of the interview, thanks to a conversation with none other than Luke Power, our news section editor.

But beyond the banter, Mr. Harris exudes determination to defy the odds and break the curse. He is ambitious, envisioning greater class cohesion and revitalizing the club system. With a keen eye on fostering inclusivity and community, he aims to diversify class activity offerings, encouraging students to voice their ideas directly to class representatives, thus strengthening connections within grades and amplifying student voices in the community. Additionally, well aware of the waning enthusiasm that often plagues club organizations after the initial club fairs, Mr. Harris is determined to sustain interest throughout the year. Through encouraging consistent meetings, especially for recreational clubs like the Harry Potter or Movie club, he seeks to reignite passion and participation, addressing a longstanding concern among students who often find their club options dwindling as the year progresses.

As students, we hold out hope that Mr. Harris's enthusiasm and commitment will translate into tangible improvements for our school. His marathon spirit of persistence and determination fuels our optimism for a brighter future at Middlesex. With Mr. Harris, perhaps we'll finally see an end to the curse of the Defense Against the Dark Arts—or, at the very least, a more vibrant and engaging student life experience. 

Gina Zhao