Margaret '15: September@USM

Nerd day during Homecoming Week!

USM’s homecoming week was full of dress up days and celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the school. My personal favorite dress up theme was nerds, greasers, and preps. I dressed up as a nerd (pictured below with freshman, Mia). Other dress up themes included twin day/dynamic duo, pajama day, homecoming t-shirt day, and blue and gold day. On the Wednesday before homecoming, we had an upper school pep rally, where each sports team did a performance or an activity. The swim team’s activity was particularly entertaining; they picked people from each grade and had faculty members do a relay race on scooters, lying on their stomachs to simulate swimming. On Friday we had an all school pep rally in our blue and gold, where each grade did their own spirit cheer, faculty members participated in the ice bucket challenge, and more. 

Senior Retreat

At the end of September, there were a few days where the juniors went on a college trip, the sophomores did service, and the freshmen and seniors had respective retreats. Senior retreat totally changed the element of the senior class. We were all separated into groups where we didn’t know each other very well. After three days of activities and getting to know one another, our group has now become very close and is now planning on going to a trampoline park together. Not only do I feel closer to the eight other people who were in my small group, but I also feel as if our grade is closer as a whole. Since I am afraid of heights, I was very nervous going on the high ropes course. The first activity I got through, but barely. The second, however, I climbed a ladder with a partner, and having a friend there with me made me much more comfortable. Through large and small group conversations, we shared our struggles and how we have overcome them, and the best memories that we have shared. The month of September has made me even more excited for my senior year and I can’t wait to make the most of it.