Seniors and freshmen spend a day outdoors for Unity Day

With many so many students at RM, it is hard to get to know everyone. But one annual event lets students bond with each other is unity day. Unity day is held for both freshman and seniors during a school day. This year, Senior Unity Day was held on Thursday, Oct. 11, while Freshman Unity Day was held a little over a week later on Monday, Oct. 22.

Both unity days took place at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg. The staff there provided food for the students, including burgers and hot dogs. Toppings included mayonnaise, pickles and ketchup, and sides featured chips, baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw; and desserts such as brownies. For those who were vegetarian, veggie burgers were also an option.

The drinks that students could get included soft drinks, lemonade, water, ice tea and hot beverages like coffee.

After eating lunch, the students hung out with each other. There were many things to do at the farm, where there was a large open space, allowing students to bond and get to know others better. Students had the chance to play basketball, volleyball, tether ball, horseshoes, mini golf, softball, soccer, and tug-of-war.

“I walked around. I almost got stung by wasps! I ate burgers and burgers. I hung out with my friends and played Uno. I watched kids roll in buckets and ziplines that were broken. I watched a lot of kids play volleyball, and almost got hit by one!” senior Miracle Robinson said.

“I played volleyball and mini golf. I had a veggie burger,” freshman Chloe Gonzalez said.

Seniors and freshman alike both thoroughly enjoyed not having to attend all their classes and taking the day to have fun with their classmates. “It’s good to get out and spend time with friends” senior Ava Muhammad said. “It was also a good break from all the stress from college apps and school stuff.”

In order to participate in unity day, students needed to pay a $27 fee. “The money that is collected from the students is used to pay for the costs of going to Smokey Glen. Because the buses have to be paid, and [it] paid for the food as well and the subs that have to cover for the teachers,” Business Administrator Ozmara Hernandez said.

All in all, freshman and seniors had fun on their respective unity day and got to know one another through all the sports and activities available.