“Kind. Fun. Silly” are the three words Ms. Slack offered up when describing the class of 2023. The Freshmen class came to Prep “Walking on Sunshine” ready to experience all that Prep has to offer. Roughly four months later, the Freshmen have a whole semester of memories made and lessons learned.

Betsy Green ’23 shared how she was coming from a smaller school in which she would not know many people, but “was excited to meet new people and start learning in a new environment.”

One of the first Prep traditions a freshman experiences is the Back to School Dance and peer mentor dinner. Students are forced to meet new people and create relationships immediately. It can sound rather daunting, but for many, it is a great experience that helps them get comfortable with their new surroundings. In fact, Green exclaimed, “The back to school dance has been my favorite thing I’ve done all year at Prep.”

Part of the freshmen experience is getting one’s feet wet in several aspects of Prep life. Whether it means trying a new sport, making new friends, applying for a Window or extracurriculars, Freshmen year is the time to figure it all out. Freshmen Collegio teacher, Ms. Slack, shared how her favorite thing about freshmen is that “they are always so curious, and they are willing to do anything. We do a reading, they’re down, we do a song, they’re down, I taught them a dance move before homecoming, and they all got up and did it.”

Throughout the first semester, the class of 2023’s attitude towards new experiences has shown their growth and Panther pride tremendously. Looking back at all the memories of the semester- whether it be from dances, sports, or just a Friday night football game with friends, the Freshmen have logged in a semester for the books.

As the second semester has already gotten into full swing, the Class of 2023 has gotten to embark on several new experiences has well. They have kicked the semester off to a good start with the freshmen retreat in which they opened to other classmates, formed new friendships, and gotten to know a couple upperclassmen as well. As the positivity continues, they will join spring sports, experience their first Olympic Week, and so much more. Betsy Green is looking forward to her second semester as it will bring new opportunities but is “mostly looking forward to the familiarity” of it all.