Sahaj Datta | The Chronicle
Ashwin Corattiyil, Mason High School (MHS)’s new Assistant Principal, has found a unique way to express his school pride to students and staff – through his wardrobe. His brightly colored and eccentric pants aren’t just a fashion statement; they’re a part of a larger effort to build culture and connection within MHS.
Corattiyil said he started wearing his collection of unorthodox pants as a way to give students a visible reminder that Mason is a place where learning and fun can go hand in hand. He explained that the pants symbolize how school doesn’t have to feel serious all the time, but can also include small, lighthearted moments that build connection.
“We can all find a balance between being professional about our jobs or our roles as students and having a fun life,” Corattiyil said. “There doesn’t have to be [only fun or only focus]. The pants came into it because I think there are little things you can do that remind people that school can be enjoyable.”
Corattiyil said one of those ‘little things’ could be showing off school colors via clothing. He said it’s important for people who are part of the MHS community to perform small acts that show they are attached to its values.
“When people are involved outside of the curricular day, it’s not that they’re [involving themselves] with the intent of increasing school spirit, it just means [they] have a belief and a connection to what the school stands for,” Corattiyil said “It’s showing [students] would make a choice outside of what [they’re] legally authorized to have to do here to still connect with the school in some way.”
Corattiyil said this mindset extends beyond his wardrobe. Part of his role includes helping tell Mason’s story more intentionally, something he said the administrative staff emphasized at the start of the year.
After seeing numerous activities happening in the building – sports practices, music rehearsals, and club meetings – Corattiyil said he realized that many of these MHS experiences go unnoticed by other students. Since then, he’s made it his mission to work with the administration to expand Mason’s presence on Instagram, showcasing the daily life of MHS students.
“It’s like the pants, but in a digital way,” Corattiyil said. “Yeah, they look crazy, and [students and teachers] laugh at them, and they’re fun. But the goal, subconsciously, is that I want as many people to see we believe in the green and white as [much as] possible.”
Corattiyil said his ultimate goal is to build a culture at MHS where the staff, students, and parents of the Mason community all feel connected. Whether it’s him popping into classrooms or being made fun of for his pants, Corattiyil said he wants to work together with everyone in order to build and capture the moments of joy and pride that MHS stands for.
“There are way more students than [staff],” Corattiyil said. “If we don’t share our ownership of the school with [them], then the culture will never be what [we all] want it to be.”
