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Seniors Get Nostalgic Meeting their Kindergarten Buddies
Seniors traveled to the Historic Siesta Key Campus to meet their kindergarten buddies for the first time.
The students spent time getting to know each other, playing on the playground and having lunch together. Each senior was paired up with a kindergartner who they will meet with throughout the year—this tradition creates a unique bond between our oldest students and their kindergarten counterparts.
The students in the Class of 2019 remarked that they enjoyed the time spent getting to know their new kindergarten friends and how readily the Siesta Key students warmed up to them. “Owen and I climbed the rock climbing wall. He got down before me and then offered to help me down which amazed me because we had just met 20 minutes before,” said Cayla Dammann ‘19. “At first he was so nervous to talk to me, then he grew comfortable enough to help me, which was very heartwarming.”
Spending time on the Siesta Key campus had some seniors reminiscing about their earliest years at ODA. “Running around the lower campus again like a little kid was so incredible. Mrs. Runge showed us a picture of when we were in third grade and it just put me in such a nostalgic mood,” said Mary Fulton ‘19. “Coming to school at the lower campus was like a fairy tale and this was a sweet reminder.”
The twelfth graders have high aspirations for their relationship with their kindergarten buddies. Many hope that they will become positive role models for them, while others wish that their connection will help the younger students realize that older students aren’t scary and are approachable. Alexa Assha says she hopes her buddy “will become more comfortable talking to adults and making friends” after getting to know his senior friends. Several students voiced that they want the Class of 2031 to “take on the five core values our school holds,” and think that the time they spend together during this year will help pass on many of the important School traditions.
ODA “lifer” John Vickery touchingly summed up the first meeting between to two groups of students: “I wanted to have as fun of an experience as I did when I was in kindergarten and had a senior buddy. I also wanted to make sure Ben was having as much fun as I was. I think he had tons of fun and we did as well.”
For photos of the first time Seniors met their kindergarten buddies, visit our Facebook photo album.
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The students in the Class of 2019 remarked that they enjoyed the time spent getting to know their new kindergarten friends and how readily the Siesta Key students warmed up to them. “Owen and I climbed the rock climbing wall. He got down before me and then offered to help me down which amazed me because we had just met 20 minutes before,” said Cayla Dammann ‘19. “At first he was so nervous to talk to me, then he grew comfortable enough to help me, which was very heartwarming.”
Spending time on the Siesta Key campus had some seniors reminiscing about their earliest years at ODA. “Running around the lower campus again like a little kid was so incredible. Mrs. Runge showed us a picture of when we were in third grade and it just put me in such a nostalgic mood,” said Mary Fulton ‘19. “Coming to school at the lower campus was like a fairy tale and this was a sweet reminder.”
The twelfth graders have high aspirations for their relationship with their kindergarten buddies. Many hope that they will become positive role models for them, while others wish that their connection will help the younger students realize that older students aren’t scary and are approachable. Alexa Assha says she hopes her buddy “will become more comfortable talking to adults and making friends” after getting to know his senior friends. Several students voiced that they want the Class of 2031 to “take on the five core values our school holds,” and think that the time they spend together during this year will help pass on many of the important School traditions.
ODA “lifer” John Vickery touchingly summed up the first meeting between to two groups of students: “I wanted to have as fun of an experience as I did when I was in kindergarten and had a senior buddy. I also wanted to make sure Ben was having as much fun as I was. I think he had tons of fun and we did as well.”
For photos of the first time Seniors met their kindergarten buddies, visit our Facebook photo album.
The Out-of-Door Academy
LOWER SCHOOL | Historic Siesta Key Campus | Pre-K – Grade 5
444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941-349-3223 | Fax: 941-349-8133
LOWER SCHOOL | Lower School Campus on Clark Road | Pre-K – Grade 1
11011 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241 | COMING SOON
444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242 | 941-349-3223 | Fax: 941-349-8133
LOWER SCHOOL | Lower School Campus on Clark Road | Pre-K – Grade 1
11011 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241 | COMING SOON
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLS | Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch | Grades 6 – 8 | Grades 9 – 12
5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, FL 34240 | 941-349-3223 | Fax: 941-907-1251
The Out-of-Door Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, physical ability, religion, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
The Out-of-Door Academy is an equal opportunity employer.
© 2023 The Out-of-Door Academy
© 2023 The Out-of-Door Academy