Senior year comes with stress and nerves as seniors apply to colleges and aspire to attain their best grades yet to send to their schools. Then, they are anxiously awaiting a response from their dreams schools, hoping they are accepted so senioritis can kick in. However, every year the seniors look forward to getting paired with a first grader that they meet  in the fall to plan for the Halloween parade, and then again during the holiday season. Scott Clothier, history teacher, helped organize the buddies and thinks “it is a great way to link the upper school and lower school, especially since they are not in the same building.” Not only are senior and first grade buddies a great way to connect some of the youngest and oldest students at Friends, but it also helps the senior class forget about everything else going on by channeling their inner five-year old selves again.

At the beginning of the school year, first grade students fill out a simple questionnaire about their interests, hobbies, and what they want to be for halloween. A committee of several seniors is then created to help pair two or three seniors with a first grader who is similar to them so that everyone can get the most out of their experience. Each first grader is generally paired with two or three seniors who then dress up like them or compliment their costumes for the Halloween parade.

For many seniors, the Halloween parade at the Lower School allows them to forget about school and other things that cause stress in their lives. In addition, it allows them to relive memories from when they were young. When asked about having a first grade buddy, Blair Atkins ’17 commented, “After going to Friends for so long, it has been great to go back to the lower school and be able to relive all the memories I had by connecting with a first grade buddy because I remember when I was in first grade walking in the parade. It was also nice to see all the parents of both seniors and lower school kids in one place together.” Although the seniors are leaving Friends soon, these relationships provide them the opportunity be nostalgic about their time in the lower school, and connect with the younger generation.

After the chilly yet exciting parade on Monday, students from the senior class commented on how much they loved dressing up again and enjoyed having a first grade buddy to share it with. Simone Veale ’17 added, “I had an awesome time with my first grade buddy. In the short amount of time that I have known her, she has grown so attached to her two other senior buddies and I and that has been adorable to watch. I also really liked seeing how happy our rocket ship made her. I hope she had as much fun as we did because I had a great time.” Overall, the Halloween parade allows students of all ages to bond over their similarities and get excited about the holidays.

The senior and first grade buddies is a tradition that every senior looks forward to because it is always fun and exciting to connect with the lower school. This experience provides a way for Friends students of all ages to interact, helping unite the community throughout the year.