Benet Academy welcomed its incoming freshman class by hosting Froshfest on August 17th. This important tradition strives to show incoming freshmen the Redwing Way. Principal William Myers stated, “We welcome incoming freshmen from 90 partnership schools. It’s very common that you may know one or two kids from your middle school, but there are some kids who don’t know anyone. It’s a way to efficiently create community quickly and to get the kids excited about coming to Benet.”
The Student Government is responsible for Frostfest. Planning for the event starts over the summer to ensure that a fun-filled afternoon is ready for the incoming freshman class. Mr. Frey, Student Government Advisor, stated, “Froshfest is one of Student Government’s longer-running events. It goes back even before when I was a freshman at Benet Academy in 2001.” He goes on to explain the importance of the tradition to help freshmen students feel more at home at Benet Academy. He explains that the goal is to help students coming from several middle schools get to know their peers. Mr. Frey highlights the importance of Froshfest is to connect students from various schools and begin to form new friendships. The Student Government set up and organized this event. Michael Budd, Student Government President, stated, “I think overall the event went well. I think the freshmen enjoyed the inflatable obstacle course, the closing pep rally, the slushies, and Captain’s Coming the best.” Froshfest helps ease the students into their first days as Redwings.
This year, after students ran through their daily class schedule to locate every classroom, the fun of Froshfest began. The students were first assigned into groups based on their 9th period class and last name. There were many outdoor activities they could participate in: Captain’s Coming, an inflatable obstacle course, three legged race, and more. Eventually, the students ventured back inside for slushies and a scavenger hunt. The event concluded with a pep rally which spotlighted the Redwing spirit. Freshman Caitlyn Sobkowiak stated, “I think it was very helpful to get to know where everything was and to get to meet a lot of people…I think it was very fun and I liked how everyone dressed up.” In all, the Benet Academy freshmen enjoyed their introduction to High School through Froshfest.
