Layout by: Jianing (Jennifer) Lin ‘24
SALMAGUNDY The Official Student Newpaper of Miss Porter’s School Family Weekend Special Edition 2022
INSIDE THE BUBBLE NEWS SALMAGUNDY
Opening Days in Review By Lucy Newmyer ’23 Inside the Bubble Editor
Throughout the first days of September, Miss Porter’s School welcomed 104 New Girls in all four classes to kick off its 179th year. Hailing from 13 different countries and 12 US states, this year’s New Girl class spent its first week getting to know each other and acclimating to life in Farmington. Known as Opening Days, the new students’ first week on campus was marked by academic and athletic orientations, New Girl-Old Girl bonding events, class retreats, and of course, the first day of classes. Summer-Zaire Bell ’26 (Brooklyn, NY) believes that her class trip to Empower Adventure Park helped her form bonds with her classmates in her first few days on campus. As an only child, Bell was not used to living with a roommate or so many people her age. But, she has found that “being at a boarding school gives you opportunities to meet new people, especially if they’re not from your background or from your community…I think it’s really important to venture out and meet new people, and I feel like here, I’ve been able to do that.”
At the other end of her high school career, new senior Lauren Baker ’23 (London, England) arrived early to train for field hockey during pre-season. She is grateful she had the opportunity to bond with her new teammates and classmates before the school year started. Knowing some faces and names around campus enhanced her experience on the senior class’s white-water rafting trip. “Everyone is pretty welcoming…there were people I knew of or could get to know in each class,” Baker said of her first week of school. Opening Days were just the first of many successes that await this year’s new students. As stated by Director of Admission Sarah Quinn, “I am beyond thrilled about the character of the New Girl class. It can’t be measured with facts and stats, but I know we are already a better place because of the many new girls who have joined our community, and I am so happy that they all chose Porter’s!”
JSA Sit-Down Dinner
By Sadie Abramson ‘23 Outside the Bubble Arts & Travel Editor On September 20th, 2022, the Miss Porter’s School community piled into the newly renovated dining hall for the first Sit-Down Dinner of the year. Red and yellow decoration ordained the tables, as well as fresh challah bread and apples and honey, representing the hope of a sweet new year. The menu consisted of Jewish delicacies such as brisket, noodle-kugel, tzimmes, and a special fall-inspired pastry dessert. The evening began with an opening statement by the organizers of the event, which were the Heads of the Jewish Student Affinity, consisting of Maddie Mazlish ‘23, Jules Rowthorn ‘23 and myself. We explained the reason for the community gathering was to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, which is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Starting on the 25th of September this year, Rosh Hashanah is a part of the High holidays, the holiest time of the year for Jewish people. Traditions for this holiday vary from family to family, but traditionally a shofar, a traditional musical instrument comprised of a ram’s horn is sounded. The heads of JSA continued to elaborate that Rosh Hashanah is not the only important holiday around this time; Yom Kippur, a holiday meant for reflection and atonement, is observed on October 5th. Overall, the night was filled with education about Jewish holidays, delicious food, and a sense of community that propelled the start of the new academic year.
Photo from Miss Porter’s School
“Neon Themed” School Dance
By Evana Jang, Luna Lee, Addy McNear ‘26 Staff Writers In an iridescent blur, students from Salisbury, Ethel Walker, and Avon Old Farms gathered together in the Mellon Gym of Miss Porter’s School for their first dance of the school year. On Saturday, September 17th, people from all grades were able to expand their social circles by bonding over snacks and dancing to pop songs. Thanks to the Head of Student Activities, Maren Frey, who suggested a neon themed dance. Participants dazzled the amphitheater with fluorescent accessories, such as glow sticks, necklaces, disco hats, and other bright attire. Students conversed about classes, afternoon activities, dorm life and other exciting events that come with the new school year. When students entered the Mellon Gym, they were greeted by the upbeat music played by the DJ. The energy emitting from cheerful students chanting song lyrics and hyping their friends up in the dance circle proves to be contagious, as many peers found themselves subconsciously swaying to the beat. Students ran in and out from the buzzing gym and the breezy stone steps, greeting and introducing themselves to new friends.
Photo from Miss Porter’s School
After the eventful night, participants exchanged their personal contacts over glowing screens and said their goodbyes. Cups of sparkling water in one hand, and a new friend’s number in the other, students of different schools boarded their buses and looked forward to the next social event to come.
INSIDE THE BUBBLE NEWS SALMAGUNDY
Visiting Prescott Speaker: Mónica Guzmán By Bessie Xu ‘24 Inside the Bubble Arts and Travel Editor
On October 7th, Porter’s welcomed its first Prescott speaker for the school year—Mónica Guzmán. Over the summer, all faculty and incoming 9th graders read Ms. Guzmán’s book called “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times”, which talks about ways to find common ground and build bridges between conflicting opinions. Unlike many previous Prescott speaker series which usually took place in the form of lectures, the whole school engaged in a panel discussion this time. The community posed many insightful questions ranging from social media’s influence to how to set boundaries, and Ms. Guzmán responded in a way that offered our community new perspectives and surprising answers. The discussion, which resembled more of a talk show, was definitely a success and set a high bar for all future Prescott speakers on campus. Photo from Miss Porter’s School
Welcome Tradition
By Charisse Thorpe ‘24 and Cate Callahan ‘24 Staff Writers
On Friday September 17th, the first full week of school came to an end as returning students and faculty members watched new girls participate in Welcome. The tradition began, quite literally, with a bang in the dining hall at lunch. Seniors carried out a fun and spirited tradition, and some new girls may have needed to change their clothes as a result! To celebrate Welcome at night, seniors dressed up in K-Telle (whacky and colorful outfits) while the rest of the students dressed according to their dorm affiliate colors. All members of the Porter’s community cheered as Junior Advisors led New Girls running across campus, solving riddles and collecting treats along the way.
Photo from Miss Porter’s School
Photos from Miss Porter’s School Through this event, new students learned about the different traditions and senior privileges in a memorable way that will stick with them throughout their time at Porter’s. After the tradition, New Girls were able to spend time with their Old Girl and party with friends at different dorms. The night ended with an impromptu dance party outside of the Hacker Theater that put a smile on everyone’s faces. Not only does Welcome celebrate the newest members joining the Porter’s community, but also bond returning students and faculty in a festive way!
SPORTS SALMAGUNDY
The Winged Beavers take the Fields! By Savannah Cox ‘24 Staff Writer
On Saturday, October 3rd, Avon Old Farms varsity football team faced off against Loomis Chaffee on home turf for their second game of the season. On the side of the field, students from AOF, Miss Porter’s, and Ethel Walker joined the team’s relatives and friends in cheering on the Avon athletes. The team spirit was high, as most spectators came dressed complying to the game’s white-out theme. “I am so excited, this is my first Avon football game! Cross my fingers that Avon wins, this seems really exciting based on what I heard from last year!” said Perez ’24, a student from Miss Porters. At the outset of the game, students from AOF had brought baby powder, which overlied the stands for much of the game. As Loomis Chaffee kicked off the first quarter with a solid 14-0 lead to AOF, the Avon players soon scored their first three points, raising the score to 14-3 with eleven minutes left in the second quarter. With AOF kicking off to start the third quarter, both teams scored seven points, putting the home team in a sixteen-point deficit before they secured a rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 14-9. The crowd went wild as baby powder filled the air. Both teams demonstrated impressive sportsmanship and unwavering efforts, but Loomis gained another 7 points in the fourth quarter to take the win at 28-10. “We played with a lot of heart but Loomis is an excellent team and the d-line [defense line] is superior.” said an AOF student. Despite their loss, we’ll stay on the lookout for the upcoming games!
Photo from @farmingtonfits on Instagram