On Apr. 24, the S.O. Leadership class hosted a successful movie night for students on the football field, showing the teenage rom-com, “To All The Boys I Loved Before.”
The gates opened at 6:50 p.m. and before long, the football field was packed with eager students ready to watch the film. Outside of the field in the parking lot, several clubs and programs were fundraising and selling food and snacks. Many of the clubs and programs at Cardozo, such as robotics and NJROTC tend to fundraise at events by selling goods that they know students would be interest in, in order to help them raise money for things they need throughout the year.
“It’s good for school spirit,” said Mr. Pugliese, advisor of the roboritcs team and substitute teacher. “It raises money for the teams and the clubs, and it builds camaraderie.” Although he joked that he’d rather watch a scary movie on the field, he did explain how much this helps build community.
Chief Chen, NJROTC instructor, agreed, sharing, “These events bring the community together…it teaches the young students responsibility, especially those serving their fellow students, and it lets them enjoy each other’s company in a safe, relaxed environment.”
Leadership was able to sell out tickets for the event, with people anticipating an exciting time, a nice movie, and a good way to spend time with their friends outside of school hours.
Many of the students attended the annual movie night for the first time this year, such as Logan. “This is my first one, so we’ll see how it goes,” he explained, before the movie began. “I’m mostly looking forward to good vibes and I hope the movie is at least kind of good!”
Despite the cold weather, the students came bundled up in their pajamas, leadership’s theme for the night, and brought blankets and other comfortable gear to enjoy the movie together as a group. Ms. Salisbury, the COSA and leadership teacher at Cardozo, said that the annual movie night is beneficial to the school all around.
“I think it’s a great way for kids to come together at school but without the academics, and just have a good time,” she explained. “It also generates revenue for the school; when clubs and organizations need money, these events ensure we have the funds to give them.”
Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services, Ms. Clark, shared a similar take on the annual event. “School is not just the classes; it’s the friendships and the relationships you make with people outside of the classroom,” Ms. Clark said. “It’s different when you’re with people and they enjoy the movie; it makes you enjoy it even more.”
Some of the students who attended the event echoed this sentiment and even said hope that Cardozo has more events like this in the future. “I feel like this is good; we should have more time like this so we can hang out and spend time together with our friends,” Juanisha said.
Praline, another Cardozo student, explained that it helps unite people and create a community.
“I think this is a great way to get the school together and unite people…it helps us become a close-knit community—an international, diverse nation,” she said. “I’m just happy to be here with my friends and get out of the house.”
After the movie wrapped, the students all shared how much they enjoyed the movie itself but the event and the energy that the kids who attended brought to the field. Keep an eye out for more leadership events like this in the upcoming school year.
