When students reflect on high school, they often picture crowded hallways, early morning bells, and rigorous classes. Long after Franklin’s final bell signals the end of a school day, several dedicated groups remain. This is Franklin’s nightlife, a steady hum of after-school practices, evening rehearsals, and late-night meetings. During these hours, communities are built; personal values and life-long friendships form when students choose to stay late and invest time in something larger than themselves.
Franklin’s track and field stay lit late into the evening, accommodating practice times for ultimate frisbee, football, soccer, and cheer teams. Their dedication and community are ever-apparent as teams practice, coaches shout across the field, and athletes develop skills. For Franklin’s cross-country teams, those evening hours together create a deep sense of unity. According to Ashley Rose, a Franklin science teacher and women’s cross-country coach, “It’s more time that they have to bond. Especially on runs where the athletes just talk … about their day, … teammates really get to know each other.” Over the course of the year-round sport, those shared miles become shared experiences, building relationships that endure long after an athlete’s final season.
Cross-country, like many sports, demands significant discipline from athletes. As Rose explains, “Cross-country is not only a physically demanding sport, but it’s mentally demanding as well.” Student athletes develop resilience as they endure year-round practice, rain or shine, and lengthy races. Over the course of a season, athletes also develop habits necessary for a successful education. “Many athletes gain the valuable skill of being disciplined and consistent with training, which requires time management skills,” Rose says.
Balancing athletics and academics is not an easy feat, especially for students enrolled in advanced classes. Late practices, long meets, and travel can make already-packed schedules even more demanding. Still, student athletes find ways to adapt. The challenges that come with a packed schedule help to develop focus and lead students to become efficient and resourceful, often completing assignments on-the-go. “Students tend to bring homework to long meets, such as ones that we need to travel to, and they are good at managing their time,” Rose details.
The consistent commitment necessary for running daily creates a distinctive team culture. Rather than being defined solely by competition, the women’s cross-country team emphasizes joy and mutual support. Rose describes the team as “goofy, fun-loving, and [a] super supportive community that enjoys working hard, [and] having fun while doing it.” In the evenings, runners’ laughter serves as a reminder to all that a team does not always need to be rigid and stern to be meaningful.
Behind the scenes, administrative support plays a critical role in making these after-hours sports programs possible. Logistics like funding, scheduling, and transportation are essential to ensuring equitable access for student athletes. Rose explains, “We get support from the athletic director [to make] sure meets are paid for.” That support allows teams to focus on growth and connection rather than obstacles. Rose believes that “sports are important for the broader Franklin community, since they create spaces for students to connect … outside of the classroom,” further stating, “Sports help with school spirit and give the broader community something to come around to support.”
Another aspect of Franklin’s nightlife thrives indoors, in a classroom creatively transformed to resemble a courtroom. For Mock Trial students who choose to participate in extracurricular events, practices often stretch late into the evening as students refine cross-examinations, brainstorm possible objections, and prepare for competition. Led by Franklin social studies teacher and Mock Trial coach Brian Halberg, the Mock Trial program bridges academics and extracurriculars, functioning both as a class and a team. In class, students dive deep into the American legal system, the scope of a Mock Trial Competition, and the various events of Speech and Debate. “Students have the opportunity to study our criminal justice system, civil rights, and civil liberties,” Halberg explains. “[They] are able to develop critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills.”
Those skills are sharpened over months of preparation for simulated trials. “The Mock Trial community at Franklin is amazing,” Halberg beams. “At our evening practices, students are consistently going above and beyond to support each other, try out new arguments, and make our teams a great space to be at whatever level of involvement best fits each member.” That flexibility allows a wide range of students to feel welcome and participate, whether they are competitive or simply curious about the law.
The benefits of those late nights extend beyond high school. Halberg emphasizes that, “The skills gained through Mock Trial help prepare students for success not only in their classes at Franklin, but in being prepared to meet their college and career goals after high school.” Much like athletics, Mock Trial is a space where students grow academically, socially, and personally, guided by mentors and peers who share common interests.
Franklin’s administrative team and broader community play a crucial role in enabling Mock Trial events. Hosting tournaments, especially on a large scale, requires coordination and trust. “The administration has been very supportive of the law program here at Franklin,” Halberg says. Logistical support from Franklin staff enables the use of the dozens of classrooms necessary to host a Mock tournament. He also credits outside support, noting the role of the PTSA in funding tournaments. For Halberg, the value of after-school programs is clear: “I believe offering a variety of after-school programs is essential.” The options available at Franklin ensure that students with different interests can all find a place to belong.
Beyond sports and Mock Trial, Franklin’s nightlife spills into nearly every corner of the campus. Every Monday at 6 p.m., approximately 30 AP U.S. government students meet to practice and prepare for the We the People constitutional competition. Franklin’s annual fall musical keeps the auditorium glowing well into the evening as actors rehearse lines and tech crews experiment with lighting cues. Later in the year, the auditorium is full once again as production for the spring play begins. Every few weeks, the student staff of our very own Franklin Post stays late to finish article edits and page layouts. For some students, night school offers a second chance at earning credits after a failed class and a flexible path forward, proving that learning does not have to end with the school day.
Taken together, these after-school activities reveal the true heart of Franklin. This nightlife is not just about staying late for the sake of it, but about choosing connection, passion, and growth. Whether running on the track, debating in the Mock Trial Classroom, singing under stage lights, or huddling around an InDesign page, Franklin students have built communities that thrive long after the halls are mostly empty. Somehow, in those quieter, darker hours, Franklin feels most alive.
