By Tomasa Perez and Grace Tanner
Imagine yourself in the position of a nervous freshman or a transfer student being welcomed to the St. Mary’s community consisting of hundreds of screaming upperclassmen looking down at you from the gymnasium bleachers while they stomp, clap and cheer wildly in an effort to bring you into their respective houses. The noise is overwhelming. The excitement is as intimidating as it is enticing.
This scene, part of an event commonly referred to as “House Sorting,” is just part of the annual tradition of initiation for new students at St. Mary’s.
However, this year, following many months of “virtual” learning -- made necessary by the COVID-19 virus -- the orientation rituals have become important for a much larger collection of students than has typically been the case in the past. After all, this year’s sophomores didn’t go through the “freshman initiation” program last year. So, as we returned to campus in August, roughly half of our student population had not been properly introduced to our school community.
So, on that morning back in August, it was exciting to see more than 450 students packed into the gym to properly welcome all “new” students to our community. Once the procession started, students cheered and shouted with excitement and the freshmen received a blessing from the Knight welcoming them into our family. Of course the assembly included the tradition of competing for the spirit stick, and House Aquinas was victorious.
Marissa Sinohui said, “It was cool; it was like a reassurance to Saint Mary’s.” Mariyah Zaragoza added, “It was a good experience. I wish we had been able to experience it too.”
Pictured dancing at the Freshman Sunrise: Ava Castillo
Marissa and Mariyah are sophomores who did not get to experience the House Sorting assembly last year.
Orientation continued a few weeks later as the freshmen were up with the Sun on a Friday morning for “Freshmen Sunrise.” Loud music played as the freshman enjoyed donuts and wrote letters to their future selves.
When asked why he decided to come to Saint Mary’s, Freshman John Murphy responded, “I like the Catholic education.”
Maddie Brittain, a sophomore, said, “I love the community here. The faith is overwhelming.”
As the morning continued one freshman girl started a dance off with a sophomore boy. By the time the bell rang excitement and laughter was heard from all around.
A week later, the freshmen were able to enjoy participating in the first of many retreats at St. Mary’s. The retreat was led by Mr. Santana, the new Coordinator of Campus Evangelization. The day began with a classwide game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” followed by talks from Fr. Wetzel and Sister Augustine Koral. Afterwards the boys heard a talk from Mr. Mar, and the girls heard a talk from Ms. Bartlett.
Martin Chacon said, “It was fun and exciting. Mr. Mar taught us for our future how to be a man and motivated us to strive for academic success.”
The students attended Mass and adoration, and then had an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Welcome to SM Class of 2025
