May 14

Last Saturday we had our very own square dance in the parking lot of HMI. We had a caller to play the music and instruct us in how to perform the various steps. It was a full crowd with the addition of the apprentices, many faculty, and Christopher, Porter, and Jack Barnes. Many students dressed the part, with flannel, hats, and cowboy boots. We learned dances such as the Virginia Reel, the Cotton-eyed Joe (which is much different than the one taught to small children) and the Dance of the Rose, which was a group favorite. During this dance, the men line up on one side of the dance floor and the women on the other. One person sits at the head of the dance floor with a rose, and the first two people in the line of the opposite gender sit on either side. The original person hands the rose to one of the two, and dances off with the other, leaving the rose holder to choose, and the cycle continues. This resulted in some hilarious tensions and rivalries between students. Eating ribs and baked beans for dinner capped off this highly enjoyable night.

On Sunday, as the sun peaked out from the behind the clouds, we loaded off the vans, hooting and hollering at the sight of the glistening Astroturf field at the Lake County Community Park. We were ready for Cabin Olympics. The Olympics were not only a time to laugh and play with the other students, they were also an opportunity to prove that one can win more than just cabin inspection. As Quidditch commenced, it became evident that the “seekers” with the most endurance were the ones to catch the elusive “snitch”. After multiple games involving the playful throwing of volleyballs and soccer balls at each other, it was time to begin kickball. Using improvised bases and flattened handballs, everyone’s stamina was indeed tested as the circling of the bases continued. As the competition heightened, we realized that breaking up the cabins for some lighthearted games of Ultimate Frisbee and soccer would be the perfect way to cap this enjoyable yet tiring day off. 

After an active weekend, this week has been busy week with Advanced Placement exams coupled with upcoming projects. AP tests this week included statistics, French, and English language. In science we have been studying climate change. As part of our unit, we examined the effects of carbon dioxide on the atmosphere. We also examined the relationships between human activities and climate change. Our final project is a presentation about a species that is affected by climate change. We're working in pairs and we get to choose which species to study. 

In English class, we have been working on revisions to our lyric essays. The revision will be part of our semester portfolio. In class, we had a debate about whether Chris McCandless was a hero or not. In AP US History, we just finished studying the 1960s and 70s and then started to review for the upcoming AP exam.

 All in all, we're keeping busy and making the most of our last few weeks of class.

By: Alex Garner, Eve Babcock, & Tae-Hoon Kim

To see more photos of RMS 26, please click here.