After a switch from an on-campus pool party to a roller-skating activity, Sage Hill’s annual sophomore retreat kicked off at the Holiday Skate Center on Wednesday, September 13. Student leadership and sophomore staff representatives initially planned to host the retreat at the Sage Hill aquatics center, but ultimately decided against it due to safety concerns about swimming without lifeguard supervision. Some students expressed discontent or hesitancy at first in light of this change, but many others were relieved or excited after hearing the news.
“I was really happy with the choice of roller-skating because it was easier to approach others and start conversations,” Amber Wang said.
During the roller-skating event, students coordinate their outfits to match the 80s-themed costume contest. Some common themes included neon shirts, coordinated colors, and floral prints. The Rothman-Deckers advisory wore shiny tutus over leggings or shorts, accessorizing with matching fishnet gloves.
“I had mixed feelings after seeing that we were going to have the pool party at eight in the morning,” said Aurora Li, who had concerns about chilly weather in the morning. However, she found the roller skating experience to be “fun and very engaging” although “the next day, her whole body was sore and her knees hurt.”
Many students shared her sentiment, as they struggled to balance on the rink and continued to fall, but energy levels were boosted by participating in games such as limbo and Red Light, Green Light. The students’ favorite game tended to be an activity in which a dice was thrown in the middle of the rink, and you were eliminated if your number was rolled. The last students standing won passes for free drinks and snacks. Sophomore Co-Chair Ella Wong noted that this experience was overall a very successful endeavor, as she was able to talk to many new people.
“Our grade definitely got closer throughout our time spent on the rink,” said Ella, and a majority of sophomores mirrored similar feelings.
