Harvest Fest 2019 Introduces Changes

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Emma Hastings ’19 gets into Harvest Fest spirit at the 2018 gathering. Photo by Caroline Ellervik ’18.

Edan Zinn, Outgoing Editor-in-Chief

For the first time, the annual Harest Fest will be celebrated Friday by matching Lower School buddy groups with Middle and Upper School advisor groups.

In past years, groups were paired by grade levels.

“We are hoping that the switch will provide for more meaningful connections across divisions,” Dean of Student Paul Murray said.

“The overall goal is to connect everybody together,” third-grade teacher Hali Hellmuth said, who is organizing the event for the seventh consecutive year. “I think it’s a really powerful way to connect students and teachers alike from different divisions of the School. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

During the event, younger buddies are paired with older buddies who assist them with an arts and crafts project.

This year, students will decorate pumpkins and participate in the annual Pumpkin  Roll, which will be led by Lower School physical education teacher Jaime Lin.

Upper School Band Teacher Luca Antonucci will also lead the band in a performance set.

Hellmuth’s favorite part of Harvest Fest is seeing Upper School students collaborating with Lower Schoolers.

“During Harvest Fest, Upper Schoolers really take a leadership role and nurture and care for their Lower School buddies, and I love that,” Hellmuth said, also noting that the event fosters community.

Marlie Kass ’23 has experienced Harvest Fest for the past nine years.

“I really liked when groups were created by grade; being with my friends helped me to ease into getting to know the much-older high school students, but I think that the change will help to foster a stronger bond between smaller groups in both divisions.”

The group pairings will be announced on the morning of Harvestfest.

Stay tuned for photos and video of the event.

Photo illustration courtesy of Brimmer and May.