by Katherine Green, alternative coverage by Meg Thompson

Walking into school on Wednesday, freshman Kate Dunlea had no idea what to expect with frosh fest. Dunlea had heard about activities from her older sister, junior Machella Dunlea.

“I liked [frosh fest] but I wish they had planned more activities like the skits,” Kate Dunlea said. “I heard previous years were more fun but I loved meeting and spending time with my class.”

Frosh Fest has been around for more than 10 years at STA, a tradition to welcome the new freshmen into the St. Teresa’s community. Traditionally, the fest lasts for three days: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The first day of frosh fest includes a sidewalk chalk contest that lasts both activity one and two. Usually that day the advisories are told a theme for the contests and from that can decide what they want to draw in their designated square. This year’s theme was collaboration.

“Most people used to like the skits the most,” junior Kate Scofield said, ”but since they are gone, the sidewalk chalk is everyone’s favorite.”

Thursday was formerly a quad day where all grades sat in the quad for lunch and activity. Games and other activities were often provided. However, this year the quad day was just limited to freshmen.

“We want to stick with tradition, but make it better as we go,” personal counselor Amanda Johnson said. “Instead of an all-school lunch, with big sisters, we wanted the freshmen to just have some time in the yard and relax and chill because [the freshmen] are overwhelmed. They’re finding a new school and starting classes, so it’s just a way to kind of give them some time to relax have a good time.”

The last day usually used to be a day where each advisory would perform a skit in front of the whole school in the gym. However, this year the tradition of the skits ended due to last year’s freshmen, the current sophomores, saying it made “them feel incredibly exposed, vulnerable, and really uncomfortable,” according to Johnson, which is the opposite of what frosh fest is supposed to be about. However, the skit cancellation raised varying opinions.

“Frosh fest was awesome and the skits were hilarious,” alumnae Nicole Sakoulas said. “I don’t think they should’ve banned them because they were a fun way for freshmen to get to know each other.”

Instead of the skits, this year a new tradition began. The school provided each advisory with pizza and during both activities, the advisory could take time to bond or play games.

“There’s a backpack scavenger hunt, a quick change game, it’s just sort of some silly fun things for everyone to do to get to know one another,” Johnson said. “You can do those or if your advisory has another thing they want to do they can do that to. It’s really just a time to be in advisory, so if you guys want to just sit around and talk or just eat pizza and listen to music, whatever you’re comfortable with thats what we want to do within the advisory.”

Although many students were upset about the cancellation of the skits, according to Scofield, the Friday afternoon activities were a good replacement.

“Even though I was really looking forward to the skits on Friday, I think the activities instead of them were a good replacement,” Scofield said. “We really bonded as an advisory.”

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Kenzie Grimaldi – Junior

“I think frosh fest is nothing without the skits. The freshmen are missing out on a good experience.”

Alex Mullins – Junior

“[My favorite part of frosh fest is] the chalk contest, now that the skits are gone. I think for our advisory it’s the only time we come together for ideas and we get really excited and competitive.”

Lily Walsh – Junior

“[The skits are are a good experience because] they make you more comfortable with the school and it’s something your advisory can bond over.”