North’s 7th Grade Fun Day

On Tuesday, the 26^th of June, seventh graders of North High School participated in a special event designed particularly for them: Fun Day. Fun Day was strategically placed between Monday and Wednesday, both days being off for Memorial Day and Eid, respectively. This field trip-like day is for seventh graders only. It lets them harken back to their elementary school roots where they used to experience recess almost every day. So, what activities do these grade seven students get to experience? Here is my personal first-hand account as a seventh grader, of Fun Day! 

Seventh graders as usual arrived at school and attend periods one through four. My first period, which happened to be gym, was fun where I played outside with my friends (although I was literally going to do just that three periods later). Next, was my English period which was honestly relaxing. My third period was Health where my class and I binged on a movie while doing work on the side. My last and fourth period was lunch. Even though I and the rest of my grade would receive lunch outside, we were still allowed to eat. After completing my “starter,” it was time for Fun Day! 

All grade seven students were directed to go out of the building to the field through the gym back doors, only after pit stopping to their lockers to leave or take any belongings. Soon a huge crowd of my schoolmates and I were ushered out. I was hit by sunlight and the thick, humid air outside. It was a beautiful day to be outside with an almost cloudless sky, and the field of North High School shimmered. The turf glistened, reflecting the sun’s rays. I took the time to apply sunblock, knowing it was going to be a fair day. 

There was some confusion, and it took awhile to get into our groups. After a bit, I was collected by my SPO leaders (more on them later) to my group: Group 16. Although it was difficult to join our groups, we were allowed to eat lunch immediately then. I had a turkey sandwich made from home which was savory and delicious. Every bite was packed with juicy turkey. In addition, I had the school’s ham and cheese sandwich. After taking a refreshing sip out of the lemonade I packed from home, I decided to socialize with my buddies. Soon enough, our first activity began.  

The first activity my group got to participate in was kickball. The group I was in had mostly girls, with whom I was not familiar. Despite this, throughout Fun Day, I found out that many friends were next to me in other groups that I was allowed to converse with. Kickball is not really my thing; however, I got to talk to one of my friends. During my conversation, my friend noticed a rainbow right above the softball field - the one behind the school or in front of the track. It was a small and slightly faint rainbow, but it was noticeable. Behind the light, pastel, sky, the rainbow was magnificent, almost looking magical. It glinted, its vibrant and striking colors showing off, a spectacular sight. 

The next activity was a chalk art session, which functioned as a cooldown in my opinion. As I talked to my buddies, I created a smooth nightscape. A half crescent moon with yellow highlights tucked behind two white smooth and silky clouds. This is how I would describe my creation. Remembering it was Memorial Day, I decided to start by adding blended red and blue streaks on the clouds. I ended up adding The United States Flag in the background. The overall appearance was phenomenal, yet I have not worked with chalk often. I felt satisfied. 

The next four activities are a repetition of our group going to the baseball field and to the softball field in the front of North. We started out in the baseball field where I played frisbee and spike-ball with a group consisting of peers and my SPO leaders. This was fun and comfortable. We moved onto the softball field where we played this variation of soccer or ball. This was not particularly my favorite. We switched back to the baseball field, where I picked up and peeled an orange. As I peel the orange, I can feel the citrus oils on the orange fill the air around me, spreading a sweet aroma. The first orange slice was amazingly refreshing although I was taking regular sips of water. In no time, I completed the orange leaving me with a sweet mouth and sugary-sticky and citrus-smelling hands.  

We played two games of Telephone in the baseball field. The second game, the schoolmates I played with somehow changed the original sentence into another completely unrelated phrase. This intrigued me. After completing our two games, we walked right back to the softball field where we played a game over and under with a foam-like ball. This game was mediocre only because many of my peers playing were not paying attention to the ball when it was given to them. Some just straight-up flung the ball out to the person behind who was inches away. Nonetheless, it was fun seeing others trying to get the ball behind. 

By this time, I was tired from all the activities, walking, and mostly the sun I experienced that day. We took a break in the softball field where we just sat around, passed time, and where I got to socialize some more. Now you could be wondering about what are these “SPO leaders”? SPO is the Student Peer Organization in North. It is the fancy way of saying “upperclassmen who help lowerclassmen.” SPO members were given the responsibility to lead and supervise seventh graders in each group. I got three SPO members in my group who were kind and friendly, and I had a wonderful time talking and getting to know them. Shout out to Leah, Ashley, and Lili for being spectacular SPO members for my group. All the hardworking and resolute SPO members did splendid jobs. It is not easy work to deal with all my fellow grade seven students who can be a bit of a handful. After our break, we headed to the “gym back door” area where grade seven students and SPO members could participate in Tug of War. I participated in a few games, and it was fun working as a team. It is especially hilarious when a side says they will dominate and be victorious only to get obliterated and defeated by the other team. 

At this point, my back was sticky from sweat and I felt as if I had been roasted and baked at the same time by the unrelenting heat. This is when me and my schoolmates were taken to the softball field in front, to get refreshing treat: ices. Although I was aware of this, I was still excited and surprised at the sight of the boxes of ices on a table. 

I requested a SPO member for a cherry ice. The pre-opened cherry ice looked mesmerizing under the sun, condensation over its sides. Its vibrant red syrup slushing around the tube, with tiny air bubbles drifting about. The first bite was reawakening with the sweet, cold, cherry flavors hitting my dry, flavorless, warm tongue. The slushie-like treat left me feeling cool and energized for activity, but I have already reached the end of Fun Day. 

Fun Day in my opinion was a great in-school field trip that encouraged seventh graders to step outdoors and socialize among their schoolmates. It is a nice break from the usual lifestyle and is a fantastic way to begin the summer. Although, I did feel some of the activities were not appealing. On the other hand, from what I have noticed, the entire grade seven student body enjoyed this event despite minor complaints. Nevertheless, the end goal was to have fun, and I and most of my peers certainly did. This outdoor event is a nice exception made for my peers who are young in comparison to upper grades. We have changed our elementary school ways, made great commitments, and became mature overall.  

Fun Day breaks the seventh graders’ responsible “shell” and lets us be care-free once again. Just before we venture off into eighth grade, high school, and beyond. Just before we voyage into responsible and accountable lives ahead.