At the first All-School Meeting (ASM) of the year, the school unveiled a new slogan: “All In.” The following ASM, student leaders clad in blue “All In” T-shirts performed a series of comedic skits. Between the cell phone policy and the introduction of “All In” into Andover’s vocabulary, the school has redoubled its efforts to strengthen our community this year.
But when the slogan was introduced alongside a stream of “All In”-themed merch — T-shirts, stickers, and even an “All In” poster contest — it came with questions: Does this message imply that we weren’t already “All In” for our community? What does “All In” even mean in the first place? Other misgivings centered on the merch; plastering “All In” all over new merch risks cheapening its meaning, until it becomes another buzzword a few months later. It’s understandable to be skeptical about this new “All In” culture that we’re expected to immediately embrace.
Yet, whatever concerns students may have about the delivery of this message, we should embrace this new slogan. In recent years, Andover’s school spirit has faltered. More students chatter at ASM; less people attend Andover/Exeter (A/E), Brace and CaMD scholar presentations, and weekend events. Showing up for our friends and our school is the epitome of a strong community, and we’ve often failed to do so. Whether that’s related to our phones or not, we should appreciate the administration’s efforts to organize a more engaging ASM and formally address the decline of connection on campus. “All In” is not merely a simple idea propelled onto students, but it represents the school’s structured and deliberate efforts to address the critical issue of rekindling community.
While some students are confused by its vagueness, “All In” seems to be intentionally ambiguous for students to decide themselves what they need to go “All In” for. Perhaps you stay in Silent too long and do not spend as much time with your friends. Perhaps you do not attend the Weekender events because you think it might not be fun. Perhaps you procrastinate too much. Go all in. Our various interpretations of “All In” allow us each to play a role in finding the solution — to identify the personal and collective needs of our school. While there may be opinions that the slogan is an unnecessary addition to other abstract mottos such as “Big Blue” and “Non Sibi,” the advice to go “All In” tries to directly encourage us to take a more proactive stance. After all, Andover is meant to engage our critical thinking skills and cultivate leaders in the community. Instead of lamenting over the minutiae of the execution of the ASMs, we should put our energy into reforming the school for the better.
Yes, “All In” may feel artificial when we are being told to do it, but it’s a step in the right direction. The beginning of any change will feel awkward. Culture does not appear overnight; it needs to be created, and all parties need to participate. The administration didn’t do it perfectly, but now that the conversation has been started, students should put in effort, too. We don’t have to go “All In” on everything the administration does, but we should at least give it a chance.
