<p>Well that’s good to know. I wonder if my son’s stepsing from June is up there. Hmm. Thanks for the hint.</p>
<p>njmom,
report back please and let us know all about it! :)</p>
<p>Our DD is Princeton Class of 2016 and we moved her in for the Community Action Orientation, then went back to see her briefly last Saturday as she moved from Trenton back into her residence hall. This is our second one to go to college. Older one attended a different Ivy. All I can say is that Princeton seems ridiculously wonderful in every respect imaginable. So beautiful. So much good advising. Delightful roommates. Pretty room. It’s over-the-top. My DD is a little stressed settling on her final fourth class for the fall semester but she is flushed with the excitement and joy of being at Princeton. I am so grateful and happy she is where she is. :)</p>
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<p>Thanks for asking for the feedback, mrscollege, and what wonderful feedback it is! First, let me say the day was magnificent: blue skies, less humidity, and a gentle breeze. The opening exercises started with the freshmen walking into the chapel- they were summoned there by the sound of African drums and the whimsical waving of the banners of each college. It felt like there was a magical force in the air leading all to the chapel. After seeing the kids go into the chapel, we hurried over to McCormack Hall, where parents watched the ceremony led by President Tilghman. It was just lovely; I will attach a link from the Daily Princetonian that really captures the event. </p>
<p>The parents then went back over to the chapel to watch the freshmen exit and begin their passage through FitzRandolph Gate. The sweetest part of their entrance to campus was the joyous way in which alum, students, parents, and the band welcomed them. The students looked so humble, as though they were thinking all this for little old me! It was a real gift to see that, and I will never forget how full of promise they all looked. My son quickly went to a freshmen barbeque, and then met us for a light dinner. We decided to wait and see the Step Sing afterwards, and are so happy we did. It was honestly one of the most charming things I have had the pleasure to watch. While the kids sang the traditional Princeton songs, they were interwoven with some contemporary songs such as Dont Stop Believing, We Are Young, and Call Me Maybe. The fourth song (the one that endeared the students to the crowd!) was the Pokemon Theme Song. I cannot put into words how sweet these kids sounded singing that song- they seemed incredibly innocent and intelligent at the same time. A very entertaining alum from the class of 1956 (Thomas Meeker?) taught the kids the Princeton Locomotive Cheer, and they thanked him by cheering him! Everyone was enthralled with this gentelmans antics, which included a light hearted halfmooning of the students in his 1956 shorts (the date was on the seat of them!) </p>
<p>I know that yesterday will have even more significance in four years when I see these same students graduate. I only hope that graduation does not come too soon! Thanks for reading. :)</p>
<p>Here is the link to the article:
[Princeton</a> University - Tilghman asks new students to ‘occupy’ Princeton and serve the greater good](<a href=“Tilghman asks new students to 'occupy' Princeton and serve the greater good”>Tilghman asks new students to 'occupy' Princeton and serve the greater good)</p>
<p>p.s. sewhappy, you said it, we are so grateful and happy as well.</p>
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<p>njmom–Thank you for the wonderful description of yesterday’s events! Our daughter moved in on September 1st and we weren’t able to come back for the opening ceremonies. </p>
<p>We join you and sewhappy in gratefulness!</p>
<p>Thank you so much, njmom, for your vivid and detailed description! I read with tears. Let’s join the cheerful and grateful parents and wish our kids good luck at Princeton!</p>
<p>Glad some of you enjoyed reading about that special day. Lets hope today (the dreaded day of freshmen scheduling!) is smoother than anticipated!</p>
<p>Hi all of you parents out here.
Thanks njmom for decribing this so beautifully.
I was there too.
It was such a proud moment for all of us parents out there.
I had tears in my eyes when they officially entered the Royal Gates of Princeton.
The atmosphere was surreal.
There were old alumnus wearing orange ties to orange socks to orange and black blazers.
In fact I saw two gentlemen wearing orange coats with tiny tigers all over them.
There were alumnus families with the couple and the kids all in orange.
njmom the grand old gentleman is I think the same gentleman who played the drums for some of us onlookers saying that this is how he used to play it in his times.
It was a “WOW” moment.
Some of us parents are lucky to be close by and can attend such moments-in-time events.
In fact the full class meets together only two times in their four years at Princeton.
For Pre rade and then for Graduation.Right?</p>
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<p>Alumother,</p>
<p>I just saw the 2012 stepsing at the ODUS website:</p>
<p>[Multimedia</a> -*Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students - Multimedia](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/odus/multimedia/]Multimedia”>http://www.princeton.edu/odus/multimedia/)</p>
<p>oops, just realized that it isn’t the whole step sing, just a 3 and a half minute video</p>
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<p>I watched a whole bunch of them on YouTube! Thank you.</p>
<p>Anyone planning to go see Sigourney Weaver in this while at orientation?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.timespub.com/2012/09/07/sigourney-weaver-to-star-in-new-play-at-mccarter-theatre-in-princeton/[/url]”>http://www.timespub.com/2012/09/07/sigourney-weaver-to-star-in-new-play-at-mccarter-theatre-in-princeton/</a></p>