We’re so back! Our SD Boarding community came to life on Saturday, when we welcomed our new boarding students and their families to campus. Our student-leader prefects were here to greet their new housemates, leading “get to know you” games out on Kesterson Field, followed by s’mores in the evening. Returning students arrived on Sunday, and the entire Boarding community celebrated together with a pool party and barbeque, before we all headed out to the Golden Gate Bridge for our annual group photo!

Amongst the orientations, games on the lawn, dorm meetings, and processing family goodbyes while hovering over an open Canvas browser, I asked students what was on their minds: 

Rosie S. ’24 was “imagining spending the year with new people, having fun, and losing my voice!” 
Katharina G. ’26 was reflecting “It feels unreal, like a dream. It feels like yesterday when I applied, and now I’m here.” 
Rhea P. ’27 was quick to reply, “I’m open to meeting new people, and making new friends!” 
Leo L. ’24 and Vincent Z. ’25 were candid with me, “I’m thinking about sleep.” 

Some students shared with me the highlights of their summer break: 
Omar W. ’25 reminisced “going to Texas for track, even though it rained.” 
Chidera O. ’24’s highlight was “going to the Air Force Academy, and talking all night with friends in the halls.” 

However you spent your summer, I hope you carry good memories, thrills, and anticipation into this semester. Head of Residential Life Melissa Taylor speaks for us all in the boarding program, “Thank you for sharing your students, your families, and your lives with ours. We are so fortunate to count you all as part of this Panther Nation.”

– Rachel Greenmyer, Resident Faculty