Proctor Academy - Registration Day

A year ago, anticipating the arrival of new students, I wrote a page entitled Transition and Trust which triggered more emotion than any of the 1000+ Corners I've created over the past decade. Today, under glorious, dry, late summer skies, the remarkable transformation began again, as 135 children were delivered to our trust.

One hundred and thirty-five is the largest population of new students in Proctor's history, reflecting last year's large senior class, a decision to increase the day population while the new dorm is constructed, demand by twenty-two siblings and legacies and a tremendously successful admission year.

Excited kids and their families picked up instructions and all kinds of info in the library, were introduced to a student tour guide, and visited a set of stations to receive room keys, open bank accounts, arrange for laundry services, pose for face book photos, etc. The tour guide then escorted them to the Health Center, Bookstore, mailroom and dormitory.

In the past, I have sensed more anxiety than I did today. These kids seem more excited than nervous. After lunch, the crowd convened outside for words of welcome from Mike Henriques and the reading of Orientation groups.

Each Orientation group then found a place to sit--with families included--to break the ice and exchange information about the five-day wilderness hike that commences tomorrow morning.