The  Linden Ledger 

Vol. 04/05 Issue 2 Oct. 22, 2004

     Gretna Day has been an ongoing tradition for many years to celebrate the headmaster’s birthday. Unlike today when we travel in buses, the students used to be transported in hay wagons.

     For the last few years the surprise announcement that it was Gretna Day was made on the same day we were going. It was announced during chapel, or by popping balloons in the hallway, or in assembly. But this year it was a real shocker. While we were in our classes on Thursday, October 14, the fire alarm went off. After we were gathered outside, Mrs. Lavery surprised everyone by saying that tomorrow was

“ IT’S GRETNA DAY! ” 

going to be Gretna Day. Some people didn’t believe her and thought it was a joke. But after a few seconds everyone figured out it wasn’t, and their delayed cheers erupted. And, as a bonus this year, day students didn’t have to arrive at school until nine forty-five, and dorm students were allowed to sleep in.

     The next morning on October 15 we all piled into three crowded yellow school buses and headed to Mount Gretna. Even though it was a little gray and a little rainy, everyone had a good time. At the picnic area we played on the swings, played Red Rover, posed for pictures, climbed on the jungle gym, and talked with our friends. For lunch, we had Sloppy Joes, macaroni salad, cake, brownies, chips, and other delicious things.

     Then we took a nature hike to the roller rink. Even though it was a bit muddy, it was still refreshing. Some people sang, and other people joked around and talked. After the fifteen minute hike we arrived at the roller rink.

     At the roller rink, we got our blades and skates on and went skating around. Along with doing the Hokey Pokey, the chicken dance, the limbo, and the YMCA, we also did relays.

These are always funny to watch because many people fall and some people don’t know how to move the contraption.

Around two o’clock the seniors sat in a circle and sang their song, “Lean on Me,” leaving some people in tears and very sad. Around two-thirty we had to leave the roller rink and head back to school.

     Even though we have this event every year, it’s still a lot of fun, and I can’t wait until next year’s Gretna Day.

 

Above: Excited students spin around at Gretna’s playground.

Above:  Alisa Pitt and Gloria Medina ride a horse around the roller rink.

UPCOMING EVENTS

~Oct 29: Halloween Costume Day

~Oct. 31: Trip to Wolf Sanctuary

~Nov. 1: Politics Assembly

~Nov. 2: School Picture Day

~Nov. 4: Meet with advisors at 9:45

~Nov. 10-12: Trimester Exams for Upper School courses

Uniforms: A Good Thing?

     Imagine having dress-down day every day. You will be struggling with what to wear, something different from yesterday. What a headache in the morning! Thankfully, we don't have to struggle everyday because of school uniforms.

     Uniforms make a student’s life so much easier: not spending time choosing clothes saves more time to sleep in the morning. Uniforms save not only time, but also money. If we didn't have

Rachel Boscov, ‘08

Mi Gyeong Koo, ‘05

uniforms, we would spend much more money on clothes. Some might argue that the cost of uniforms is too expensive. To buy all the uniforms in the beginning of the year might cost a lot, but once you purchase uniforms, you can wear them at least a year. Not a bad deal at all!

     The design of the uniforms is also great. They are not so formal that we will have to iron them every morning, and not ridiculous at all to wear when

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