<p>I know that different Smith Houses each have their own traditions. One that's very common (universal?) is the Senior Banquet. Spoke to D a little while ago...hers was last night and she was still pretty overwhelmed with emotion. For those for whom the system works, it explains a lot to me about the Smithie loyalty...these young women are part of a chain of experience and tradition that reaches from the past and extends into the future.</p>
<p>D has good friends in every class she's been with, from seniors during her first year to this year's first year. I think she's making several lifelong friends here. I couldn't be more pleased with the experience she's having, all the way around. </p>
<p>At my d's house - they had theirs last night, which included the passing down of stuff. My d. received 3 tapestries, a pair of wild-looking hippie pants, and a martini glass - given to the youngest member of the house (and hence, theoretically, the last one who will be legally ready to use it.) The three seniors in her house are quite remarkable women (including Stacy, who occasionally pops in on this list.)</p>
<p>our senior banquet WAS awesome--a great way to relax before the studying/paperwriting/etc. miasma we now find ourselves in. my favorite parts were getting rid of lots of stuff i won't be able to move with (including a tape deck for your d...she wanted it!), playing limbo and sardines, the great food the underclassmen cooked, and starting the party early enough that we all still got good night's sleep. </p>
<p>it's still hard, though, for the 8 seniors in the house to realize that we really won't be back next year...but we all have exciting plans (grad school, fellowship, jobs, travel, etc.) so that makes it better.</p>
<p>Every fall a unique house tradition, Emerson's Medieval Banquet, takes place. Each senior in the house invites a professor to be her personal guest at a banquet full of singing, dancing, food and lots of fun. Both students and faculty attend in medieval garb and enjoy the festivities which the junior, sophomore and first year students have planned. Sounds like fun to me!</p>
<p>Every fall, the president of the college chooses a beautiful autumn day to cancel classes, giving students the opportunity to enjoy the foliage and the weather. No one knows when Mountain Day will be until the president has the bells rung early in the morning to signify that classes are canceled. After the bells finish ringing, Emersonians blare the "1812 Overture" on their stereos to make sure the whole Quad is aware of the holiday. A house across the Quad responds by playing the "Hallelujah Chorus."</p>
<p>I love Ivy Day...i've worked reunion for the past 3 years and it's always wonderful to see the alums march in...especially the ones who are back for their 75th (!) reunion. I know I'm going to be all teary at it this year, especially when all the seniors march in at the end of the parade as the college's newest alumnae. </p>