Academy greeters welcome incoming students

The Academy’s tenth year started off with much excitement and commotion, as the smiling faces of 38 “First-Years” arrived on campus. On Thursday, August 27th, our official Orientation began with five o’clock Vespers, followed by a dinner with the freshmen and their families. Later that night, each household gathered for their first “house meeting” to become familiar with Academy policies, and with each other.

Friday’s activities started early, beginning with Mass, breakfast, and a tour of campus. English writing tests and Latin placement tests followed, which caused anxiety at first, but, soon enough, everybody was done and back to playing volleyball. Pizza lunch was served outside, which provided an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other more, accelerated by “people-bingo” and a “name-game challenge” for the Residence Assistants and Proctors. The new students were then given an overview of Academy services, safety, chores, athletics and chaplaincy before having some well-earned rest, relaxation, and, of course, more volleyball. After dinner, students jumped into chores, taught by upper classmen how we keep our school clean. The highlight of the day, however, was an evening bonfire at Professor Nicholson’s house. Each household walked out to nearby Mask Island to join the Nicholson family in celebrating the start of the school year, while fiddles, guitars, and dancing provided lively entertainment. 

A team of first-years create a pyramid for the scavenger hunt

Saturday began by students fuelling up with Mass and a big brunch before a Bay-wide scavenger hunt began. Teams overcame wet weather in order to snap pictures for points as they raced around Barry’s Bay retrieving the required photos. Not only did everybody have a chance to become comfortable with the town and each other, but the unique opportunity to form a “conga line” on the Opeongo Line was also seized with much enthusiasm. A coffee house event on Saturday evening provided an opportunity to show-case a variety of Academy talent, musical and otherwise. Some of the freshmen were even able to out-sing the Academy’s established karaoke champion as the night turned to fun and less-conventional musical talent.

On the last day of Orientation students celebrated Sunday Mass at St. Hedwig Church followed by our usual Sunday brunch. In the afternoon, Fr. Paul, the Academy chaplain from Madonna House Apostolate, gave his annual introductory talk to students before leading them on the rigorous hike to Kluke Lookout. School spirit wasn’t dampened by a little wet weather. The students returned to hot suppers in-house which provided a chance for new arrivals to meet the returning students. Everyone had one last chance to relax at the “Sunday Sundae Social” in St. Clare’s Café.

Orientation drew to a close as students headed back to their residences to get ready for the start of classes the next day. By the end, everyone was eager to take on the challenge of OLSWA academics the following morning.