And we were off! Eight buses filled was the senior class filed out of Lewiston High School and left behind four years worth of social stereotypes. It was a day of finding commonalties, rather than differences, creating friendships rather than enemies, and forming bonds rather than building walls. Geared only with our minds and spirits, each bus was bursting with energy; and everyone was ready to participate and cooperate with our peers. We let our guard down and just enjoyed a day free of the binding social hierarchy experienced every day in high school. Senior Survivor Day was in full swing.

When we arrived at Range Pond, we branched into our groups, which could be identified by the color bandanna worn by its members. We came up with catchy names for our teams as we marched to the first activity area. Several groups were at each station giving us an opportunity to meet students outside of our team. At one station was a series of activities that improved the participants’ communication and team-building skills. For example, we had to untie a human “knot,” quickly pass a hula-hoop around a circle of students holding hands, and run through a relay race while tightly tied with ten other students. Along with those activities, we did a commonalties game that helped us get to know others in our class who we had not yet been acquainted with.

Each activity got all of the students involved and created an equal ground for everyone to partake. The next station was to further familiarize us with our team. We created a team rap or poem that described the members in the team, high school, and senior survivor day. We also collaborated to answer many trivia questions. After we presented our poem or rap to the other teams, it was time for the next station. The final station was the ropes course. Here, we were required to trust the other members of our team or the challenge would not be met. Each team put much effort into making all the members not only participate, but have an enjoyable experience, as well.

Exhausted, but at the same time energized, we loaded back onto the buses and drove away from our day free of social restrictions and restraints. We left knowing more names than we had before we began, and with a better understanding of our peers. Even though most of us went back to sitting with our normal lunch crew the next day, now there are more friendly smiles as we pass through the hallways and a memory of a day where we were all equal and bonded with our graduating class of 2004.