C.L.U.E weekend was hosted right after winter break, as the students slowly returned to their daily schedules. C.L.U.E was an excellent opportunity to unite the upper dormitories: Central Main, Lower Drayton, Upper Drayton, and East Main. This is not equivalent to its lowerclassmen counterpart C.O.W.W. which was hosted right at the start of the school year.
This year, C.L.U.E weekend featured most of the same activities as in past years and introduced fun new ones as well. The weekend kicked off in the Multipurpose Gym in the F.A.C. with an exciting and fast-paced game of classic dodgeball. All four dorms gathered to protect their glory and win the game, starting the weekend off strong.
On the following day, activities started in the afternoon and were immediately followed. by events in the evening. From 2:00 to 4:00 pm, our community members and Upper Drayton dorm parents Lazarus and Evona hosted a vision board making activity on the Marshall wood floor. In the evening came “The Big Event,” which was Karaoke with Kai where all four dormitories gathered to connect over music and food. As the major star event for C.L.U.E Weekend every year, the Karaoke night was an event which many students thoroughly enjoyed, even being described by one student as the “most exciting event that I look forward to during the evening.” The night ended with a warm Meeting for Worship around the newly built fireplace, where all of the upperclassmen gathered around to reflect in silence while helping themselves to roasted S’mores.
As C.L.U.E weekend is the event that helps connect the upper dormitories, there are more new juniors and sophomores were welcome to attend. The upperclassmen embraced their new role in the GS community and continue to thrive. All felt welcomed and warm as they met new (or old) friends and teachers from other dormitories.
The weekend ended with dorm breakfasts on Sunday morning. Having done Meeting for Worship on Saturday night, the upperclassmen could sleep in and help themselves to a warm breakfast of pancakes with their dorm parents and friends. Central and East ended their day with a fun “untalent” show, where students cheered each other on with their hidden “talents”.
This weekend was an opportunity for new upperclassmen to represent their new dorms and community for the first time and for the seniors to celebrate their community one last time. It’s also a great way to relieve academic stress and bond with peers.
