By Olivia D’Ambrosia

2017 Senior Class President Kyle Riopelle gifting his cape to his Kindergartner at Convocation in 2016. Photo courtesy of Collegiate School.

At Convocation 2016, Kyle Riopelle (’17), then Senior class president, took time during his speech to give his Kindergarten buddy Alex (’29) a green and gold Collegiate cape that his mother had given him at his first Convocation in November 2004. That cape has become an emblem that holds sheer joy and history that I hope continues to be passed down in that Kindergarten-Senior family. Ever since that Convocation, I had built up anticipatory excitement about being paired with a Kindergarten buddy of my own. I’m now a Senior, and the moment finally arrived.

The special tradition began with another beloved tradition at Collegiate, Convocation. The first Convocation, in fall 1999, was created by Keith Evans, Head of School from 1999-2014, as a way to connect all three school divisions. Evans is quoted in The Collegiate School,1915-1015: 100 Years as saying, “It seemed to be the right time at Collegiate to begin conversations about building a school community and take the next step… to bind the three schools together in practical and ceremonial ways.”

At the first Convocation, Seniors walked down to the Lower School, picked up the Kindergartners, carried them on their backs or took their hands, and walked them to the Upper School lawn. All the other Grades, 1st-11th, entered and sat together, as described in the Winter 1999 issue of alumni magazine The Spark as “a sea of green and gold.” Now, Convocation takes usually place on the Grover Jones Field and has become a tradition for the entire school to celebrate entering the new year. It is one of the few times all three divisions unite in one space. Since 1999, the relationship between the Kindergarteners and the Seniors has grown and is appreciated by the Seniors, Kindergarteners, teachers, and parents.

Convocation in 1999. Photo from The Collegiate School,1915-1015: 100 Years, courtesy of Collegiate School.

I had the opportunity to talk to Kindergarten teacher Clara Gaul and her class. Gaul has been at Collegiate for three years and stated, “This tradition is one of my favorite things about teaching Kindergarten.” She continued, “It’s so sweet to see them get so excited about seeing [the Seniors]. It’s definitely the thing they look forward to the most.” Gaul recalls a few years ago when one of her students bought a gift for his Senior. Every day, the child would ask when he could see him. When the student was finally able to see his Senior and give them the gift, the child felt a great sense of accomplishment. Gaul talked about how the relationships helped the Kindergarteners strengthen their learning of the importance of empathy, a skill that takes children longer to develop fully. Most importantly, Gual thinks the tradition shows the type of community the Kindergarteners will grow up in and “build a love for their school environment to create lasting memories for years to come.”

Carrying their buddy on their shoulders. Photo credit: Vanessa D’Ambrosia.

When I walked into Gaul’s classroom in the Lower School, my Kindergartener Mason (’37) leaped up, yelled my name, and hugged me. Gaul told the students I was coming, and Mason said, “I was waiting for you to come all day.” I asked all the students who their Senior buddy was their favorite thing about them. Olivia (’37), whose Seniors are Giles Ferrell (’24) and Chloe Webb (’24), said, “Playing with them,” and “I like seeing them.” Marco’s (’37) Senior is Ruby Goff (’24), and he said, “She’s funny.” Some of the kindergartners were a little shy, but they told me who their Seniors were. Tommy (’37) said assuredly, “I have Miss Ella and Miss Meredith.”

Many Kindergarteners continue their relationships with their Seniors outside of organized events. Libby (’37) goes to watch her Senior, Heidi Albrecht (’24), play in lacrosse games, and Kate (’37) does the same and watches her Senior, Callie Rogers’ (’24) field hockey games. Some of the relationships go beyond school. Ella (’37) and her buddy Rhodes Sinnott (’24) are family friends. At first, Ella was upset that she was paired with a boy Senior buddy, but once she realized it was Sinnott, she was beyond happy. She said, “I think that he’s nice.”

Two Senior boys with their Kindergartner. Photo credit: David Privasky.

The Kindergarten-Senior tradition has continued to grow. At the beginning of March, Seniors and Kindergarteners connected again during a new event: a VGF Scavenger Hunt. This year’s events have included a pizza lunch, craft activities, singing songs, and Convocation. Although these activities are exciting, many Seniors voiced that their time with their buddies needs to be longer. Emma Lewis (’24) commented, “I wish we had more time with them.” Despite this complaint, Seniors always enjoy their time with them. Chloe Miles (’24), who is buddies with Elliott (’37), said, “I like having someone excited to see me and play with me.” Miles continued, “They are just so freaking cute.”

Some of the Kindergarteners make cards or souvenirs for their Senior buddies. Vivi (’37) made a card for Anjun Dhillon (’24), and Dhillon commented, “I have mine in my room still.” Ava Robinson (’24) loves her Kindergartener Livi (’37), because “it’s a reminder of the freedom and curiosity we have as a youth.” Robinson also commented on the full circle connection:  “When I was a Kindergartener, I remember being so excited to see my Senior, and now I get to be on the other side of that; I’m so excited to see my Kindergartener.” Whenever I see Mason, it’s a break in the day to relax and be a kid again. Having a Kindergartener buddy lets me hold on to my older memories at Collegiate before I depart. Once I discovered why the tradition started, it became more meaningful. It’s a culmination of what we’ve learned through the years about community being the essence and core of Collegiate, which makes it so special.

I contacted Riopelle and talked with him about his experience and the meaning behind the cape. He told me that his mother had made the cape when he was in Kindergarten to wear for Pep Rally and Convocation. He loved it so much that he ended up wearing it every year. Riopelle remembered, “It dragged on the ground when I first wore it, and my Senior year it barely came down to my waist!” He reminisces about why he gave the cape to Alex: “I wanted him to remember what it was like to be a Kindergartener as he grew up, like how my cape had helped me remember too.”

Being a Senior, especially in the first semester, it’s easy to get caught up in grades, testing, college applications, college decisions, and other distractions. However, you forget what it’s like to live in the moment and cherish Collegiate while it’s still here. Riopelle added, “I think we’d all probably be well-served by acting a bit more like how we did in Kindergarten, appreciating where we are rather than rushing to the next thing.”

As the class of 2024 embarks on their next adventure after Collegiate in the next month, it’s essential to take in the present, recollect the past, and, most importantly, find the joy within our Kindergarteners. The two groups will meet for the last time this week after the Senior Sendoff Upper School assembly on May 22.