Everyone passes the front desk in the morning. Some choose to revisit it during their free time and receive two coveted pieces of candy or mint later on, as they are regaled with classic jokes and informative trivia.
This everyday pleasure has been revamped as of late with “Joke of the Day March Madness.” The tradition is relatively new, having been implemented last year.
The inspiration behind “Joke of the Day” traces back to a simple but meaningful goal. According to Ms. Amy Morris, the resident joke aficionado, the game emerged from a desire to foster a more sociable environment and tight-knit community.
“It was very easy for kids to walk by, say hi, but not interact,” Ms. Morris said.
This desire for interaction stems from her prior experience as a Spanish teacher. As she switched professions, she wanted to maintain good relations with the people around her.
“I wanted the interaction with the kids, which is what started Joke of the Day.”
The March Madness-style event is rooted in Ms. Morris’s family tradition. They, like many Fords, are avid enjoyers of March Madness. Her love of the NCAA tournament inspired the nature of the competition.
“I’ve seen that a lot of kids overthink, so the joke of the day usually [displays that] the simplest answer is the right answer. I think it’s a nice way to train that other side.”
Ms. Amy Morris
Ms. Morris is also curious about finding out which jokes are most popular with the student body.
“This is a smart group of people, especially the people who come for Joke of the Day every day. I think they like the ones where they have to think a little bit, but they also like the ones that they can get the answer to,” Ms. Morris said.
Ms. Morris expressed her support of “the toad joke,” foreshadowing its eventual triumph for these reasons.
However, she also noted that the Third Form was especially enthusiastic about voting for the winning joke. She speculates that older students have less time to take part in the competition. Despite this, she urged that visiting the front desk can be a means of relaxation and recuperation.
“It’s a little bit of lightness, a little bit of levity. I also think from what I’ve seen that a lot of kids overthink, so the joke of the day usually [displays that] the simplest answer is the right answer. I think it’s a nice way to train that other side.”