The fall of senior year is notoriously a time filled with stress: college decisions are impending, advanced study benchmarks have ensued and classes gear up for finals week. According to Edutopia, because of these stressors, it is important for seniors to take time out of their busy schedules to participate in activities that will help take their minds off their hefty to-do lists.
For this reason, 12th grade Dean of Culture, Community, and Belonging Casey Huff said she decided to organize “challenge-by-choice” workshops for all seniors to attend Monday, Nov. 18 from 10:30-11:00 a.m.
“I also know that it’s a stressful time of year; the temptation to continue to work and not take breaks is there, but I think constructive ways to decompress are equally important,” Huff wrote in an email to the Oracle. “All of the workshops were aimed at allowing students the space to do so.”
The week prior, all seniors received a sign-up sheet to select which workshops they wanted to attend. The options included watercoloring, playing boardgames, participating in a sound bath and breath work activity and attending a yoga class led by Ella Dorfman (’25). Two 12th grade mentors hosted each activity that took place in either a classroom, the HD room or the courtyard.
Senior Charlie Clayton attended the watercolor workshop, which was facilitated by English Teacher Kathleen Keelty and Fitness and Wellness Coach Danielle LeNoir. Each attendee was given watercolor paper, brushes and a paint palette. Clayton said she appreciated this grade bonding activity because it was unique and deviated from typical grade-wide activities she has participated in.
“I just think that, the more creative you get with [grade bonding activities], the more fun it is for people,” Clayton said. “It’s kind of outside the box of just the day-to-day of sitting at a table and hanging out with friends.”
Clayton also said she felt that the activity achieved its goal of providing a stress-free space because she was able to express her creativity while spending time with classmates.
“I think it’s a fun way to get our minds off of everything that’s been stressing us,” Clayton said. “And at the same time, we get to talk to people that we don’t normally have a chance to talk to.”
Senior Katie Borris also attended the watercolor workshop and said, similar to Clayton, she enjoyed spending time with many of her peers. Borris noted how the workshops were mandatory, which could be seen as restrictive to student-choice, but despite this, she said she enjoyed the activity.
“This is a really great time because you get to bond with more people in your grade than who are just in your advisory,” Borris said. “It’s also super fun to decompress, you know, and even though it’s forced time where you can’t be doing other things, it’s still nice to take time away from everything you need to do.”
Sophia Shin (’25) attended the courtyard yoga class and said she chose to do so because it was held outdoors and allowed her to take in the surrounding nature. Shin also noted the value of exercise as a method to destress and clear your mind. Shin said when she participates in a physical activity, she notices her stress levels decreasing.
“We were all spread out in the courtyard, facing Ella, who [was] our instructor, and we were just lying in the sun, soaking in the warmth and really enjoying the nature of the courtyard,” Shin said. “I feel like especially active outdoor activities are really important. I know when I’m in a bad mood, the endorphins always get me back on track and recenter me and help me focus, so I really like being active when I’m stressed.”
Similar to Shin, Ivy Woolenberg (’25) participated in the yoga workshop. Woolenberg also said she enjoyed how the class was led by a fellow classmate because she liked witnessing her peer’s passions play out in real-time.
“I find that moving my body gets me into a productive mindset,” Woolenberg said. “I also love the opportunity to get outside in the courtyard and have an opportunity to participate in the practice of yoga led by a fellow sister.”
