At Loomis Chaffee, Winter arrives as a perfectly phrased proclamation. When asked what constitutes a Loomis winter, one can argue that numbers on the weather app or the thermostat are the deciding factor. I, however, find that the acoustics of the season are just as important to shaping the quintessential wintry vibe on campus.
The skirting and scratching of snowplows at dawn, metallic scrapes punctuated by distant thumps of machinery, signal to once sleeping students that the world has turned white. Murmurs and whispers in the bustling hallways about delays for the upcoming day fill us all with anticipation. The crunch of frosted snow under the soles of your white low topped shoes, unprepared for the arctic conditions of New England, reminds you that socks, however thick, are tragically insufficient. As the sharp dampness slowly seeps into your socks, you promise yourself to buy boots next year.
The brushing swoosh of fresh powder being pushed aside as you disembark from the coziness of your dorm and clear a path for your peers from the overnight inches; the crackling and popping of the fire as underclassmen gather together after a successful study hall for a seasonal reward of S’mores and hot chocolate in the dry Connecticut night; the deep and tentative voices of Batchelder as they burst out in carols of the season; and the laughter of friends around the dinner table after a long afternoon of practice—all serve as the soundtrack to the holiday season at Loomis, appeasing any lingering worries.
On gameday, the banging and rattling of the hockey boards jolts you with excitement, as you holler with encouragement at your friends in the spotlight. Leaving the rink, you gaze up and hear the honking of a late flock of geese on their path South, while you stay put for the numbing months forthcoming. Your heart drops after the sudden squeak and sliding as you feel the moist bottoms of your sneakers sliding from under your feet on the infamously slick dining hall floor. The hasty zip-up of thick winter jackets ring out as eager students are exonerated from their final course.
The lull of serenity of a peaceful quad enters after the hustle and bustle of dismal afternoon activities. The rustle of paper during your hibernative study sessions becomes the only interruption to this serenity. At last, the crinkle of dense layers of blankets, you are thankful to have not been sent home during the warm nights of fall, after a long and rewarding day on the Island.
The sounds of a Loomis Chaffee Winter compound to an unmistakable chorus of practical noises and community warmth. Bringing joy, aggravation, and warmth, they culminate the season and create a most unique atmosphere, a soundscape you can’t feel or read on a thermostat or see on a website, but have to experience first hand, preferably with boots.
