It's the most wonderful time of the year…
House Traditions Ring at Milton
Tradition is a source of joy, comfort and connection for most of us. Milton's boarding students may miss their families' own special events until they return home for break, but they join with their family away from home in traditions that thrive at Milton. On Academy Road, a giant "W" in white lights singles out Wolcott House. Paper snowflakes and candy canes adorn Forbes dining hall, and more than one faculty member sports a Santa hat.
In the first weekend of December, Robbins House girls hold their holiday decorating party; with paint and glitter they decorate wooden and glass ornaments shaped like snowflakes, Christmas trees, snowmen or Jewish stars. They also play Santa to their housemates, drawing names and delivering a thoughtful treat to their chosen "sister." Given a few weeks to buy, make or gather small gifts, the girls leave clues to their identity in the days leading up to the big unveiling.
The boys of Norris House recognize the oldest and youngest among them by bestowing the honor of topping the tree with the Christmas angel. Brotherhood is one of the Norris watchwords, and in this case, the senior "brother" gives his Class IV "brother" a boost. Each of the Norris boys also recognizes — in a poem, written by faculty member Peter Parisi — a sentimental or humorous line or two commemorating his year so far.
Wolcott House boys are not to be outdone. On the last evening before winter break, the boys dress up and escort the girls of Hallowell, their sister dorm, to the holiday dinner. They then return to the dorm to practice their caroling songs—with which all Milton's boarding boys will serenade the girls' houses one by one. After caroling, the Wolcott boys gather in their common room to watch Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and enjoy a much-deserved feast.
In the week before break, Hathaway House girls stage their important holiday event: the holiday dinner—with fancy dress and linens—where their dining hall and facilities staff are honored guests. Senior Sarah Reilly explains, "We decorate the dining room the afternoon before, shutting out peeping new girls until dinner time. Each senior girl invites a senior boy to the dinner, though they serve instead of sit as guests. As a collective group, the boys perform a song after dinner is done, then each boy sings a song, reads a letter or poem, or plays an instrument for the girl who invited him. Afterward, the dorm crowds around the piano and we sing carols, followed by dessert made by the dorm faculty. This dinner is one of my favorite parts of the year, and I am so excited to finally be a senior as a part of the tradition."
Holiday vespers is an optional, popular and more solemn event that celebrates the spiritual aspects of the Christmas holiday. While weekly Chapel services are non-denominational, Holiday vespers is a Christian service, where students and faculty take turns reading lessons from the Christmas story. Vespers takes place in the Chapel just before the big holiday feast, which is the one time all year that the full boarding community comes together for dinner. Since everyone is done with school work, and leaving for break the next day, the evening is a happy celebration, and as one student said, "there's such spirit in the air."
Cold New England weather is no deterrent for these students; they keep toes and spirits warm celebrating with friends in a community that relishes great holiday fun.
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