Freshman Class of 2019 joins Upper School

Cheering+Key+Club+members+introduce+the+class+of+2019+through+a+tunnel+of+hands.+Freshmen+Orientation+was+held+on+Aug.+20.+

Vivek Bharadwaj

Cheering Key Club members introduce the class of 2019 through a tunnel of hands. Freshmen Orientation was held on Aug. 20.

The Upper School welcomed the new freshman class of 2019 on August 9 with a number of recreational teamwork-building games.

The events commenced on a symbolic level as freshmen passed under a tunnel of cheering Link Crew members, upperclassmen who have chosen to personally provide advice to freshmen. Two Link Crew members, a junior and a senior, are assigned to each advisory and will intermittently speak with their freshmen advisories throughout the year.

The new freshman class is the largest, by students, to date. The class of 2019’s new dean, Chris Florio, reflected on his annual vision for the class.

“I’m sticking to goals for this year right now which of course extend to all four years. Focusing on the freshman year, really, the words that come to mind are pride and unity,” Florio said. “I want the class to get to really have a sense of being together and really form a sense of unity right away.”

Many freshmen are excited about the new privileges the upper school confers.

“I’m really excited about the independence, and [being able] to pick my own classes,” freshman Andrea Simonian said.

Others enjoy the new academic opportunities.

“[There’s the] beautiful campus, and the amazing teachers, and the amazing programs,” freshman Anika Rajanani said.

Dean Florio personally welcomed the new students into the gym, where they sat and met their advisories. To build familiarity, advisories played a game of “get to know each other” bingo.

After finishing up in the gym, the freshmen moved to Davis Field to begin the main games. The games are played in advisory teams at rotating stations. Each activity is designed to “absolutely require teamwork” and serves as a constructive exercise in building advisory synergy.

Some activities took place in the Singh Aquatic Center, which helped counter the heat of the summer day.

“I would have loved to jump in the pool, as it was such a hot day,” senior and Link Crew member Namitha Vellian said.

There was a brief recess for lunch, where advisories sat together to build familiarity. Pizza, brownies and lemonade were served.

Many freshmen are excited for the upper school’s culinary options.

“I heard the food’s really good,” freshman Erana Wan said.

After lunch, the games continued until dismissal.