Students Soar Into Langford for Hawk Day

Maclay Had Annual Hawk Day

Photo by Blair Bayliss/Maclay Andalusian

On Feb. 1, 2018, an incident involving a hawk and a squirrel reminded students and teachers of the sublime beauty of nature. In between the pods a hawk aggressively protected its food from people, and objects going towards it. This encounter sparked the idea in Mr. Norment and Mrs. Evans to create Hawk Day to enjoy the true beauty of nature.

On Hawk Day during second period, each English and Science teacher gave a brief description of the importance of nature, and why this day is so unique.

“In English classes today and tomorrow we’ll be reading a poem or an essay that features a bird of prey,” upper school English teacher Lee Norment said. 

Norment does this to commemorate Hawk Day. After the class is finished all students go to their homeroom and after announcements are finished, all forty students head directly to Langford. 

A representative from the Tallahassee Museum, Shelby Boykin, brought Maclay two birds, one being an Eastern Screech Owl and the other a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. She then provided a quick summary of the birds and then allowed the audience to ask any questions. After her presentation, she gave students the opportunity to take pictures of the owl as well as hold some of the extra items she brought. 

“It’s really important for them [students] to understand the reality of what is happening with the environment,” Boykin said. “As well as “the importance of helping them [animals] and what they [students] can do in the future.”  

Many students learned a new appreciation for the birds of prey and nature as a whole. 

“I’ve always thought birds of prey are cool and appreciated them, but now I know some interesting facts that I wouldn’t have known,” junior Mallory Brown said. 

Maclay has held this event for over five years and it seems like it is here to stay. Each year Maclay gets to inform more students about nature and life outside of our own. Next year be one of the first 40 students to fly into Langford for Hawk Day!