As summer comes to an end, the buzz and talk of being back on the Hill campus becomes ever more apparent. The return to school also brings a plethora of student activities both on and off campus. While none of the activities are mandatory, they are suggested, and much of the student body will often attend them.
Behind the scenes, the Student Life Association (SLA) has, for months, diligently planned various activities. The process of planning such events is much more complex than most would imagine. Many ideas for events stem from student suggestions. However, many events need approval from the Dean of Community Life Heidi Eccleston and Dean of Students Coleman Weibley. “Claudia LaMarca oversees the SLA program and helps plan and approve events that we pitch to them” says co-president of SLA Kierpa Singh ’25.
With the arrival of new and returning students on campus in early September, student leaders gather to plan the opening of the school weekend celebration. According to Claudia LaMarca, Director of Student Activities, some past events include “some type of Dorm Cup competition, music and food, with the main focus of getting the community together for the first time.”
These activities set the foundation for a packed school year ahead and encourage students to get to know each other.
Lawrenceville Weekend, a 137-year-old tradition and much anticipated fall activity, excites many in early November. Over the course of the Lawrenceville Spirit Week, students participate in themed dress days, a delicious “Red Meat Dinner”, prep rallies, and a bonfire. All the events build up to the day of the competition at the end of the week, including the Blue and Gray Lawrenceville Dance. In addition to these more formal and organized activities, weekends at Hill are filled with trips to local shopping centers, such as King of Prussia Mall, and on-campus events, which range from silent disco to bouquet making. If the current activities do not align with a student’s interests, LaMarca encourages them to reach out to her and offer their suggestions to influence future activities. She says, “If you would like to see something on campus or visit somewhere off campus that you know a group of students would like, set up a meeting with me! I am always happy to accommodate and plan with the help of student input when feasible.”
However, as a new student, it may be intimidating to attend these events. Nonetheless, student leaders urge all students alike, both day and boarding, to take advantage of the unique opportunities Hill offers.
As a two-year day student herself, weekend crew team member Tane King ’25, explains, “We [student leaders] encourage day students to participate in these activities because it helps them become more integrated with boarders.”
Participating can often help new students form lasting relationships with their boarding peers who they would otherwise not spend much time with. Singh ’25, says, “At Hill, a phrase I tend to hear often is that the people make the place. If you read an event in the weekly flyer, and it seems the slightest bit interesting to you, I strongly encourage you to go and have a good time. If it ends up being something you aren’t interested in, that is okay! At least you can walk away from this experience knowing you used the opportunities to the fullest.”
Singh recalls some of her best memories from her underform years as those where she stepped outside her comfort zone and showed up to a new activity.
With the range of activities that the Student Life Association has planned for the fall term, everyone in the community is likely to find an event that suits them. LaMarca encourages all students to go and try out an activity simply for the sake of it—even those that may seem daunting. “Often, students are ‘nervous to go’ because they don’t know who else will be there. Bring a friend. Get outside your comfort zone and have fun!”
