As winter break approaches each year, we gather as a community to celebrate our various traditions and build greater student body unity. Some of these traditions are public, but many are in smaller groups and build community among grades and friend groups.

Camaraderie manifests through various yearly advisory games where grade-wide activities are present, such as the building of gingerbread houses, which was established by the class of 2027 co-presidents last holiday season.

Masters student Etienne Millet ‘27 reflected on this experience. 

He said, “I would definitely say it was a great bonding experience for our class, because I think the combination of a little bit of competitive fun was really great, because we collaborated as an advisory, but we also competed against other advisories…. So I think that really helped lighten the mood a lot and just made it fun for everyone all around.”

In addition to grade-wide events, smaller-scale activities build the sense of community bonding even more. For example, Secret Santa and Secret Snowflake traditions are held for many members of our community. In contrast to other grade-wide traditions, this event takes place in a smaller setting, mainly between friendships and advisories. The tradition features a secret gift giver for each member in a group, and on an agreed day, the gift giver, along with the present, is revealed.  

A participant in this tradition,

These traditions have a genuine impact on our student body and enable our students to get to know each other during a break from the cramming period prior to the vacation. It should be a goal for Masters’ community to strengthen its already thriving bonds through traditions on campus. Our time at Masters should be memorable, and with these events, our community can continue to thrive before our departure from this campus for winter break.