Showing off our new Island School physique.

Week One

Delay:

Everyone was excited and anxious to finally get here after Tropical Storm Ernesto set the semester back by two days.  Finally, on Thursday, August 31 we arrived at our campus in Cape Eleuthera to begin our 4-day orientation.

Thursday:

With a feeling of relief and excitement, students from all over met and started to bond at our first bonfire. During the bonfire, we played a game to find our advisors and advisory members. After the game and introduction speech by the dean, students returned to the dorms for a meeting. After the meeting, everyone crawled into bed awaiting the fun-filled morning exercise.

Getting ready to snorkel off Boys' Dorm Beach.

Friday:

We woke up early for a running tour of campus and some snorkeling at the shipwreck off Boys’ Dorm Beach. The rest of the day was filled with everything from bonding activities and name games, to the numerous new rules. The night brought many hilarious skits performed by our new advisors and eager faculty.

Saturday:

The boys learned the consequence for talking after lights out when they all rolled out of bed for an energizing 2-mile run in the dark, at 6 in the morning. Immediately after the boys’ return, everyone headed back out for an intense run-swim. The rest of the day was filled with more orientation activities, including CPR and medical training.

Learning about this place during the Where Are We? class on the first day.

Sunday:

Sunday was the highlight of the orientation. Students ran to the marina and were taken by boat to a sandbar off the Cape. Chris Maxey enthusiastically awaited our arrival to teach us about how the sandbar was formed. Part of the lesson included the Island School spa treatment of rubbing sand (ooids) all over our faces. After our excellent dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs, the students followed in the tradition of past semesters and signed our names and what we want to bring to the community on the fish plaque.

Monday:

No exercise!!! After a luxurious sleep-in, our first full day of classes began. Unfortunately, everybody was traumatized by the extensive workload and endless homework. Later that night, cacique (daily leader) Smith led the first student and community meetings.

Tuesday:

For the first time this semester, the whole community made it to the flag pole on time for morning circle…No pushups!!  No pushups did not mean we were in for an easy morning; we ran around 3 miles.  The students have never been so happy to take one of the infamous “navy” showers.  Classes went on a regular schedule today, including our new research classes that we are all very excited about.  Today was also a very special day at the Island School, because Liz Spelman celebrated her 17th birthday…which brought the community very delicious cake!

Henry and Sam are all smiles on the first night.

Shoutouts: 

Smith Marks: Hey Mom and Dad, I’m having a lot of fun here.  Tell everyone I say hello and that I miss them.  Can’t wait to talk to y’all tomorrow night.  I love it here.

Hanna Koch: Hey Everyone! Annie, Julia, Kelly, Meagan, Emily, Lizzy and John I miss and love you all soo much!! Good luck EHS field hockey, let me know how the seasons going. Sorry if I don’t get to write a lot I barely have any free time. Rachel I hope your loving college and I cant wait to come visit you. Melanie I’m sure freshman year is going great and I can’t wait to see you on parents weekend. Mom and Dad I love and miss you both and so excited to see you both again. I absolutely love it here, it’s amazing. Please write me and send me pictures!!!

Christina Lazarus: Hey ya’ll!!  It is awesome here!! But I miss everyone back in MB soo much!!  Leigh, I miss you so much…piece of cake, BFF!!! Lindsey, Maddy, Ck, Hanne, D-bo(HAPPY BIRTHDAY), Erin, VG and everyone else at MBHS…Ya’ll are awesome! I miss ya’ll so much, I can’t wait to see ya’ll…don’t have to much fun without me!! Caroline, thank you so much for all your advice, it’s helped so much!  Mom, Dad, Jordan, and Jacob…ya’ll mean the world to me, good luck with football Jacob, and tennis with you Jordan!!  Good luck in the Friday night football game…GO HAWKS!!!

Kevin O’Hara: Hey everyone! Mom and dad, I miss you so much! I think I might miss Tom and Megan too, but I don’t know yet. All my friends at FHE, I hope your first day of school went well. I miss you all! Make sure you write me soon! I can’t wait to see you again in December!!