Students come to Hamilton because it is an institution full of incredible opportunities. These endeavors often require hard work and dedication, but they also provide many moments of joy. These opportunities allow students a chance to let down their hair and to take a break from their busy professional lives.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) and First Year Experience (FYE) Water Fest, which took place this past Saturday, Aug. 25, gave students the chance to come together and embrace the final days of summer. This event showed students that even though they have started college, they do not have to forget the joys of their childhood upon entering adulthood.

Members of every class year made their way to Babbitt Pavillon. There, they enjoyed the jewels of life: ice cream, raffles, a slip and slide, and other exciting activities brought by CAB and FYE. “I loved the surfboard,” said Andres “Fluffy” Aguilar ’19 before critiquing, “I wish there were more people. This should have been done earlier.”

Despite the relatively late starting time of 6 PM, turnout increased throughout the evening. “The early turnout helped draw people,” said Anna Tinker ’21, a member of CAB. It seems that the opportunity to meet new people played a role in drawing students from their dorms and to this comfortable, friendly social environment. This is something that CAB member Cal Reynolds ’20 also noticed, saying, “It’s beautiful to see upperclassmen and underclassmen come together.”

The Water Fest gave first-years the courage to weave themselves into the fabric of campus life. “I liked this event. I had nothing to do […] I didn’t know anybody, but coming here allowed me to meet some new people and to have fun,” said Preston Comer ’22. Echoing Comer, Andrew McCarthy ’22 added that the slip and slide was a huge motivation for his attendance.

Representing the FYE, Delta Reyes ’20 and Jessica Shields ’20 expressed their satisfaction with the Water Fest. “Our goal is to direct first year students, and invite them to future programs,” said Reyes. “We have events like this so that first years can get accustomed to the Hamilton community and feel a part of it,” added Shields.

Establishing Hamilton as a community is important. So it is crucial to introduce first-years to a culture that views them not only as students, but as individuals. Though it is valuable to focus on your studies, self-care also falls high on the list of necessary strategies for having a successful college career. As Shields said, “It’s important to make being a first-year fun. College isn’t just about studying!”

Although the event was one geared toward first years, upperclassmen took advantage of the chance to enter their new semester with a fun event and a positive outlook. “I came for the slip and slide, [and] it was also nice to stick around and meet people,” said Erin Ebert ’21. Some upperclassmen expressed excitement to have a joyful place to be themselves. “I’m having a great time!” said Anaidys Uribe ’19, hopping off the surfboard machine.

“The waterslide is a lot fun, and more suited for summer,” added Mariani German ’19. All of a sudden, words such as “thesis,” “job search,” and “graduate school” faded away to “ice cream,” “dancing,” and “water balloons.”

“I appreciate the event because it’s been a long week. The music and the activities allow me to be goofy and carefree at least for a few hours,” said Sacharja Cunningham ’19.

The event’s playlist created a mood of relaxation and cheer. The music drew in crowds almost as much as the slip and slide. “The plan was to get ice cream and leave,” said Grace Woolson ’21, “but the music made me stay.”

The playlist included songs such as “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse, “Hey Soul Sister” by Train, “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé, “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber, and many other tracks that turned a night of summertime fun to impromptu singalongs. “I was happy to see a few upperclassman,” said Ruth Coolidge ’21. “Plus,” joked Coolidge, praising the music selections, “When a cellphone rang during ‘Call Me Maybe’ it added to the realism of the song.”

Some upperclassmen critiqued a few of the activities, such as the surfboard machine. “I wanted it to be crazier. It was a rave, but not enough,” said Avery Cook ’21, only partially in jest. Most attendees expressed the importance of the lighthearted nature of the Water Fest. “I wish more people appreciated it,” said Vanessa Vincent ’21.

Although autumn will carry away summertime activities like the Water Fest, we as a community have shown that we are capable of creating spaces where we feel in touch with the sweetest parts of life all year round.