While it might seem like a thousand years ago, 2020 was only two years in the past and the effects of the global pandemic are still very present. Does Zoom or quarantine ring any bells? The social disconnect between people due to the pandemic is apparent. Because of this, Rolling Meadows High School’s world language teacher Kate McNally took on a project of bringing the students of Rolling Meadows together. 

So far, she has initiated a trivia contest every Monday where students and teachers answer a couple of relevant trivia questions and email their answers to her for a small reward. 

She also was in charge of running the teacher-led dance. The dance took place during the homecoming assembly and exemplified the school’s spirit. McNally said that she wants to, “think of fun things for the school that would make the school unified.” 

Her most recent addition to the project is a decorating contest in honor of the World Cup. Another teacher, Mr. Diaz, had seen another school decorating their doors for each country in the World Cup, and McNally decided that that would be exciting to have at Rolling Meadows as well. Now, teachers and students at Rolling Meadows High School have come together to dress up the school doors to support all the different countries in the World Cup. 

So far, McNally’s project has not only brought a lot of happiness to the school but also has brought many teachers and students together. McNally reports 

“My hope is that it makes people talk to each other because we are living in a time when people are so consumed in their games, and their technology, and their individual entertainment that I wanted to have something that would cause people to gather around in a unified activity.” The project has already added so much to the school and there are even more bonding activities planned  in the  future.