The Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS) program at The Hill School is being revamped this year by its new adviser Kevin O’Brien. 

“I think the real turning point for the program this year is the application,” Maggie Pearson ’18 said. “Everyone who is getting a little brother or sister really wants to do it, or else they wouldn’t have applied.”

The BBBS course was open for 6th formers to join on Canvas. The entire process was split into three parts: an anonymous survey, a BBBS application and pledge, and a new student request.

The application asked students to reflect on their own experiences at Hill and what advice or support would have helped them during their first year.

One of the questions on the application was, “As a Big Brother/Big Sister, what specific actions will you take to welcome, support, and mentor your new student(s)?”

Last Spring O’Brien sent an e-mail to the class of 2018 inviting them to join BBBS with a link to the Canvas page.

“(Rising) Sixth Formers, you set the tone for the entire school year,” O’Brien said in the e-mail. “As returning Sixth Formers, it’s your school – understand the responsibility.”

O’Brien believes that the 6th formers shape Hill’s atmosphere and determine what is considered “cool.”

As a result, he has allowed only 6th formers to serve as big brothers and sisters this year.

“Many people in my grade were just too busy with 5th form year to really connect with their little siblings,” Nicole Sergiwa ’18 said.

Kitty Fritz ’18 thinks the inclusion of 4th and 5th formers as Big Siblings was a big part of the program.

“I’m sad to see it go,” Fritz said. “I had a big sister that was only one year older and to continue to that relationship within campus walls for most of my Hill career was so helpful.”

While big sibling relationships for incoming freshmen won’t be as long-standing, O’Brien believes the relationships will be of higher quality in the new student’s first year at Hill – when it counts the most.

O’Brien also believes the returning 6th Formers will have the experience and perspective after the rigors of 5th Form year to serve as mentors to new students.

“My Big Brother wasn’t really that great, and I struggled to make the transition and adjusting to Hill,” Sahib Saini ’18 said. “I wanted to be a Big Brother because I wanted to help someone complete that transition and not struggle like I did.”