It was a night filled with board games, tacos, cotton candy, popcorn and movies; Friday, March 4, was the freshmen and sophomore social hosted at Archer. Compared to a sleepover where students would stay overnight, the theme was a sleep under. It was meant to be a shortened version of a sleepover where students were able to participate in bonding activities and watch a movie without spending the night on campus. For example, games such as corn hole and “Connect Four” were activities held in the Eastern Star courtyard for students to play.

On the day of the social, freshmen and sophomores were allowed to wear their pajamas throughout the school day and bring their pillows and blankets for the events planned later in the evening. The social started at 6 p.m. and ended promptly at 9 p.m. Approximately 70-80 students from both grades combined attended the social.

In addition to a dinner of tacos, agua frescas and games, students watched the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” streamed on a screen in the library. While the movie was being streamed, students played board games, made rainbow looms, bead bracelets and applied temporary flash tattoos. To accompany the movie, there was a popcorn and cotton candy machine in the library courtyard.

Sophomore class representative Tess Hubbard said the bonding experience that these social events promote is important.

“It’s great for grade bonding. When we become seniors and throughout the rest of our high school experience, it’s important we at least get to know everybody in our grade,” Hubbard said. “Of course we’re not all going to be best friends with everybody, but at least knowing everybody and knowing they’re there is nice.”

Sophomore Lacey Thompson said that having the social on a Friday night after a long school day allowed her to destress while hanging out with friends.

“It was definitely time to unwind on a Friday night and to get our competitive natures and spirits up during this fun time,” Thompson said. “It’s fun to hang out because everyone’s talking about their grades and classwork all the time when we’re in school. To have this time to connect as a grade while not focusing on our schoolwork was important.”

At the end of the social, Hubbard said she hoped everyone had fun throughout the event and enjoyed the memories they were able to make through the activities held.

“I hoped everyone was able to make one more friend or know there are more people to count on,” Hubbard said. “I want them to leave with one more memory they can have in their little handbook of Archer memories and moments they can cherish and have forever.”