By Meredith Lanning

On Wednesday, October 25, the Senior and Junior Girls had a fantastic time at Fleur Morning. This event is a cherished part of the long-standing Brunch tradition, a beloved tradition in our Collegiate community since the 1940s. It’s the highlight of the holiday season, eagerly awaited by all. During Fleur Morning, the Senior and Junior girls can get closer together and build lasting friendships.

Picture from the ’99 Brunch, where classic tv show Gilligan’s Island was the theme. Photo credit: 2000 Winter Spark.

But why is it called Brunch? Well, in fact, it used to be a Brunch. A skit would be performed to the Upper School about healthy eating habits. Then the Health and Physical Education Department would serve a nutritious brunch to the classes. This skit was later performed by the Juniors but honoring the Seniors, and idea of Fleurs had nothing to do with Brunch yet.

Until the 1980s, Fleurs were known as “flower girls.” Catherine Flippen, long-time head of the girls school, was responsible for adding this tradition to Brunch. She felt that the grades were divided, and not everyone knew each other well enough. The purpose of the “flower girl” was to diversify the girls so that the Seniors could help their Junior prepare for interviews and help them with college applications. But Fleur morning wasn’t always during a specific morning. Former Upper School Associate Director of Student Life Missy Herod (’72) recounted her experience being a flower girl: “There are no rules or guidelines about it. I was a flower girl in my Sophomore year, and the Seniors picked us in August. My Junior year, the Seniors picked us in November. You never knew when it was going to happen, so the anticipation built.” She explained that the tradition wasn’t always as organized as it is now. 

Paired Junior and Senior on Fleur morning. Photo credit: Katherine O’Toole.

Now Brunch centers around a captivating play that includes relevant witty jokes, dance, and musical performances from the Junior girls for the Senior girls. The heart of Brunch lies in this theatrical production, and the anticipation begins with the selection of a new theme for the play each year, a responsibility taken on by the Junior class. To make this grand event a reality, various committees are formed to ensure its smooth execution. These committees encompass diverse tasks, such as creating a fake theme to throw Seniors off about the real theme, designing costumes, scripting the play, and choreographing dance sequences. Each committee plays a crucial role in bringing the production to life. The Juniors work hard and rehearse their lines, perfect their dance moves, and engage in numerous meetings to coordinate all the intricate details. The spirit of teamwork, dedication, and creativity is at the core of this preparation.

Fleur Morning is a heartwarming event that takes place in the middle of this preparation for the much anticipated Brunch. It’s a day filled with excitement, anticipation, and nerves. It starts off with the Seniors each randomly selecting a Junior girl only a few days before Fleur Morning. Each then puts together a small goodie basket, a sign, and a friendship bracelet. The Seniors choose a theme that resonates with them, and this theme corresponds with their sign that is tailored to their chosen Junior. 

Photo credit: Abby Rosenstock.

The goodie basket is filled with little things such as candies, stuffed animals, and thoughtful trinkets, carefully selected to match their Junior’s preferences and personality. The friendship bracelet, coordinated with the chosen theme, is a symbol of their budding bond. To add an element of mystery and surprise, the bracelet is enclosed in an envelope adorned with a colored heart, each heart corresponding to a specific location on campus. On Fleur Morning, the Junior girls venture to their designated spots on campus in search of a sign with their name on it. As they arrive at their assigned location, each Junior finds their Senior waiting with their gifts. Hugs and smiles are exchanged all around as the morning unfolds. Junior Katherine O’Toole (‘25) said, “Fleur Morning has made me so happy! I didn’t know my Senior, but now I get to make a new friend. I really enjoyed Fleur Morning. It was fun and cool to see all the Juniors so excited.”

This morning is pivotal in creating a bond between the different grade levels, a crucial component of the Brunch tradition. Upper School Director of Student Life Beth Kondorossy said, “Watching the connections take place, is really special. A lot of the times the Junior girls don’t know the Senior girls, and being able to watch those interactions happen is so valuable for both the Juniors and Seniors, so it’s about building community.” She believes that Brunch is something bigger than just the performance itself. “At the root of what the purpose of Brunch is to bring together this sense of sisterhood.”

Senior Abby Rosenstock (‘24) emphasized the significance of Fleur Morning, stating, “I think Fleur Morning is a great opportunity to make connections with the younger grade. It’s also just a really fun experience.” Many students who participated agree that it’s an exciting time.