Freshmen Welcome Week at Duchesne

Last week, Duchesne freshmen and seniors took part in the yearly happening of Freshmen Welcome Week (otherwise known as “Fish Week”). The freshmen, settling into the daunting mess that is high school, were paired with a senior for the week. Together, the freshmen-senior duos participated in a series of fun, themed events throughout the week.

This year’s themes ranged from Barbie and Western, to rhyme without reason and group coordinated costumes. At approximately 10 o’clock every morning of Freshmen Welcome Week, the girls would flock to the White House Lawn to take pictures in their designated costumes. Ravished by the thought of (lovingly) embarrassing their freshmen, the seniors went all out for the costumes they chose for their freshmen, with each costume being slightly more captivating and alluring than the next. For example, on Western day, a handful of freshman were dressed up as cows, sporting giant inflatable cow costumes that evoked concern from those around them with every step they took down the hallway. 

Along with the designated costumes every day, the duos would participate in daily challenges and games together, with one of those activities being the ever-so lively shaving cream fight that takes place on the last day of Freshmen Welcome Week. The goal is simple: grab a shaving cream bottle, and make sure everyone around you is just as drenched in shaving cream as you are. Freshmen Charlotte Sweeney, who exceeded in accomplishing this feat, loved the shaving cream fight, claiming, “It was SUCH a funny experience - we were covered head to toe in shaving cream.” 

The week concluded with the Orientation Dance, which is the epitome of all freshmen events. The freshmen dressed up in their Barbie-themed outfits and headed over in groups to their designated Seniors’ houses to take pictures before the dance. The dance took place in the gym, which was decorated to the brim, and a booming DJ and lights filled the area. The girls, along with the other boys' schools that were invited, including St. Thomas and Strake Jesuit, had a blast dancing the night away.

Per tradition, the Freshmen debuted their synchronized dance choreographed by the Seniors, which they had been practicing throughout the week. All in all, it is safe to say that this year’s Freshmen Welcome Week was a great kickoff to the blooming school year, and the Freshmen could not feel more welcome to Duchesne if they tried!