By Mairin Hoffman ’25
The Frederick Gunn School’s 175th school year began on September 2nd, 2024, with student leaders and international students arriving on campus after a long, sun-filled summer. On-campus activities began with student leader meetings and an international student tour. The following day, all the commotion began. All students arrived on campus to move into dorms, and just as unpacking was finished, the orientation festivities began. Orientation is a tradition in the boarding school community, but why was orientation at FGS this year so special?
Orientation at FGS marks the beginning of the new school year by showing old and new students what life at Gunn is truly about. Orientation exhibits a series of teamwork-oriented and outgoing games that new and old students may initially dread. Still, these games illustrate the sense of community and the force the Gunn community has. Orientation is planned by DOS and the Prefects: the eight student leaders that represent the values of the Gunn community. The Prefects organized these games: Train Wreck, Rock Paper Scissors Tournament, Plank Walk, Hula Hoop Race, and Water Balloon Toss. The Prefects decided to return to the quad for fun games instead of the usual scavenger hunt around campus.
Head Prefect Gordon Bennett ‘25 illuminated on this change and why it was vital for this year’s orientation. “We decided to pivot from the similar themes of past orientations, which included lots of running and staying in tiny groups of people. We wanted to have everyone make as many connections as possible in hopes that maybe a couple would work out well. With the ten counter-rotating groups, every station would introduce someone to another thirty people.” Gordon also shared why these stations were critical for interconnection. “The stations were designed to promote conversations, incorporating questions and connections.”
After a fun hour in the sun, each student was called back to their houses to play games and icebreakers to get to know one another. Getting comfortable in one’s dorm is essential, as it is the community one will be surrounded by for the rest of the year. It is vital to learn dorm etiquette and to know everybody within the dorm, as one might make friendships that last a lifetime. Gordon also mentioned the importance of this house time and why it was written into the orientation schedule. “The quick transition from moving onto campus into orientation doesn’t allow proper time to meet one’s housemates, hence why we decided to split orientation into two parts. The second part involved meeting in each house’s common room, where one would be introduced to a Prefect and RA, who would be helping to spark conversations. We decided to do a sort of “speed dating” game, where one had to find a new person to talk to every minute or two. The freshmen, however, met together to see their grade for the first time.”
Later that evening was a BBQ on the Glade, with delicious burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream that brought everybody some joy. These dinners on the Glade are essential to life here at Gunn, as the community comes together all in one spot to enjoy the outdoors over food, especially after orientation festivities. The night ended with co-curricular meetings, an exciting introduction for sports and arts here on campus. Although orientation can be bustling and exhausting, students remember it for years to come. Even towards the end of the year, Highlanders can reflect on how far they have come from orientation and how much has happened since then. It is a good reminder of how to approach the school year: make the best of it and meet new people.
