The South Campus was a 25 million-dollar project, demonstrating the biggest fundraising campaign the school has ever done. The question is, was it worth it?
Let’s start at the beginning. In 2012, the land across the road went for sale. Julie Kim-Beal, Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives, says that “the board of trustees decided to purchase it… thinking long-term, 20, 30, 50 years down the line.” It was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. The South Campus opened at the start of the 25-26 school year. That year, the school was still figuring out what kinks in the system needed to be worked out. It was just a test year. According to Kim-Beal, this year, the school “really wants to focus on having students come over more and have it be a natural part of their experience”. To make this goal a reality, the school made sure that there are seating, games, food, and many other activities. They also have weekly and monthly events. Every Tuesday, the school hosts a Taco Tuesday during lunch. Every month, they hold an event on the first Friday. There are games, food, and other fun things to do. The sole purpose of these initiatives is for students to spend more time at the South Campus and to use the amazing land and facilities.
“There have been more people over here,” says Dr. Roy Nyberg, a high school physics teacher. Nyberg has been at HRS for 4 years, and he has been teaching on the South Campus for 2 of those years. Nyberg notices that “Taco Tuesday and First Friday are big ones” with the students. He has seen a significant increase in student activity this year. Nyberg sees that the South Campus is not just a place for certain events. His favorite part “about teaching on South Campus is that we have access to the outside”. This leaves many opportunities for students to feel the fresh air. Students can take breaks outside, complete their labs, and use the outdoor space to its maximum. To Nyberg, the campus is becoming both a more social space and a useful part of the school day.
Students, however, have varying experiences with the South Campus. Finn Ciruli, a 9th grader, has really enjoyed the South Campus as a new area of the school. “I really like how it turned out,” Ciruli says after remembering it being built in his 7th-grade year. He especially likes “all the new spaces and fun activities,” referencing ping-pong, spikeball, etc. He has attended the Taco Tuesdays, but unfortunately couldn’t make it to the first Friday event. Although Ciruli likes the South Campus, he would rather spend a free block at the North Campus because “there’s the library for studying.”
Other students have had less interaction with the South Campus. Bristol Copeland, a 12th grader, says that the South Campus is “really pretty and peaceful” but admits that she doesn’t go over there very often. One reason Copeland doesn’t spend much time on the South Campus is because she doesn’t have any classes there. Copeland also would rather spend a free block at the North Campus due to the substantial walk between campuses. Copeland recognizes how the South Campus is useful for many other students. She says, “It hasn’t affected me personally, but it has benefited others.” She notices how people use it as a chill spot to study and hang out.
Although the South Campus hasn’t yet become a part of every student’s day, the new events have given students and faculty a good way to socialize, relax, and enjoy their school day.