By Lynessa O’Connor
With the new school year already off and moving, and the need for guidance making its way through the corridors and halls of the castle, I took the time to ask the Head Boy and Girl a few questions about how they felt settling into their new positions amongst the student population. The prestige and honour of the positions this year fell upon two very well deserving 7th year Ravenclaws. Those of us who have been around the castle before, we have surely heard the names Eric Hyland and Zaira Hurley a time or two in the past whether it be through Quidditch or Duelling, or even perhaps the excellence of the thriving plants in the greenhouses with one’s green thumb.
With the selection of the Head Boy and Girl positions being done by Head Mistress O’Keeffe, it remains a surprise to those selected for the honoured position till just a few weeks before school begins. Hyland was asked about his selection for the position. “Yes, very. I was on holiday at the Euro Cup when my letter arrived, and we’d already gotten our supply lists, so you can imagine my confusion. Even with the official letter from the Headmistress, I think I spent about an hour making sure the badge wasn’t some kind of elaborate prank. After about the hundredth Revelio failed to have an effect, I realized it was indeed genuine.” Hurley was also asked the same question about her selection. “I was really! My flatmate over the summer, Rora, she almost threw the envelope away, thought it was junk mail, you know? When she noticed who the envelopes were from, she got prefect too, she ran into my room and we both opened them together and almost got hexed by our downstairs neighbour with all the jumping we did.”
When both the Head Boy and Girl were asked about any special skills that they could use this year with all the changes that have happened, and with their past experiences, they both brought something vastly different as far as seizing opportunities. “Well this year, we have the gardening club, I’m really ace at herbology so I feel like that’s going to help as head girl, so that I can teach some of the younger ones to really get into the garden!” Zaira, I think you are on the right garden path with that one! There seems to be a few that might need help in the garden this year. Eric brought something different to the table when he was asked the question. “Not really, no, unless you count the ability to function with very little sleep to be a skill. Still, the year is young, perhaps I’ll find something as time goes on. Perhaps if any student gets really rowdy, my duelling skills will prove useful? Just kidding, I’d never do such a thing.” Lets just say there was winking that occurred, should I be concerned or flattered?
For older years, as our time in the castle draws closer and closer to an end, we start to think of what we would leave behind once we take our last voyage on the boat across the Black Lake on our final journey home. When one thinks about what they wish for their legacy to be, there are things that we do wish to leave behind to those who follow in our footsteps. Hyland mentioned “I’d say a year without any major catastrophes would be pretty high on my list of goals. Really though, I think both Zaira and myself want to make sure everyone stays safe, and of course, I think we’d like to leave our mark, a good impression that stays with the student body for years to come.” I think it helps though that Eric has tried hard through the years to be a role model to many in the school. Zaria had her own thoughts on the matter though. “I guess the only thing any seventh year wants to leave behind would be something to be remembered by. So I want to achieve leaving behind a memory that makes people think about my time as head girl and smile.”
I think I, along with the majority of the student population, are excited to see what is to come this year with our time in the castle just beginning. One can hope for quiet, one can hope for peace, but more than that we can hope that the Head Boy and Girl are able to handle all that is to come in the months ahead. Good luck during this school year Eric and Zaira. May the students ever be in your favour.