Debate is done in a parliamentary format, with two teams of two going head to head against each other. There is no research required (although a knowledge of current events doesn’t hurt), as topics are given on the spot, and the teams only have ten minutes to prepare their speeches. So debate is accessible to anyone, even those with lots of other extracurriculars. The speeches themselves are eight minutes long, with one speaker giving a five minute and a three minute speech. The speeches normally consist of both presenting your side’s arguments and refuting those of the opponent. Each year there are about six tournaments, with novice and advanced divisions, and you and your partner go to typically two or three of them.

Debate is certainly not for everyone. That doesn’t mean, however, that it’s not for you. Anyone who considers themselves a capable public speaker should do well. The time commitment is minimal–just weekly meetings and practices. Tournaments, although they take a whole day, are not mandatory. Debate is certainly open to those who just want to practice their public speaking. So, if you do happen to come to Milton, keep an open mind. Give debate a shot. I decided to take the chance, and I have loved it ever since.

Dance Concert embodies the Milton experience for me.  At many schools, it is rare that the plays and concerts have audience numbers equal to or surpassing football and soccer games. For the Milton Academy Dance Concert, tickets sell out within minutes of going on sale. People line up hours ahead of the doors opening for good seats, and students and faculty bring flowers and make signs for students. Dance Concert is a pride-filled part of Milton Academy, from the faculty members in charge, to student choreographers and dancers, to the students who manage to find seats for all three nights–support is found in surplus here.

The swim and dive team is a close group of about 40 students who love being active and in the pool. Although we often complain about jumping into the cold water or practicing until dinner time, these conversations bring us closer.  We love our teammates, coaches and the team as a collective.

Everyone, whether you are a swimmer or diver, is very supportive, spirited and encouraging. Because swim and dive is a team sport as much as it is an individual sport, we always pride ourselves in calling ourselves a team and push each other to become better. Even though we are a coed-team and from different grades, we consider one another as not only teammates but also close friends. We have some fun annual traditions, such as Secret Snowflake, water polo and team dinner, which allow us to take a break from the hard practices and purely enjoy being a part of the team. Having been on the team for two years now, I can confidently say that even if you may not love the sport, you will grow to love the team.

At Milton, doing a sport is a great way to keep in shape, get involved in the community, and make new friends all at once. You will definitely form close bonds with your teammates through practices, bus rides, and meets/games. The swim and dive team, in particular, has given me the unique experience of being part of a truly caring team.

The excitement to this game started six days ago at the start of Spirit Week. During Spirit Week every day has a theme, from tropical day to twin day. The final day is Orange and Blue day when there is a school wide pep rally. The athletic center is filled with students waving orange and blue pom poms and towels and chanting. There is music, dancing, and the annual Milton Nobles video. At the end, we all come together under the orange and blue confetti raining down to support one another in our quest to beat Nobles. “Nobles Day” switches its location every year—it’s at Milton one year and Nobles the next. No matter where it is, you can always count on good clam chowder, snacks, friendly competition, and a lot of spirit. Although I love being a fan for basketball, hockey, squash, and wrestling in the winter, in the fall and spring I have the opportunity to be on the field. The energy, sense of community, and support you feel whether playing in a freshmen, junior varsity, or varsity game is incredible. No matter what the level, the Milton community will be lining the field and the game will be absolutely hype.

My favorite tradition, though, is when the faculty kids come trick-or-treating in Hallowell. To prepare for the occasion, we hang up spider webs and plaster the walls with ghost cutouts. The faculty kids at Milton walk through the halls of Hallowell and knock on our doors for candy. Then, to end the night, we gather in our common room to take pictures and eat Halloween themed candy. These nights of coming together to honor these traditions are some of my favorite memories at Milton.

1. Listen to the way the rain hits the flat roof of the Arts and Media Center as you paint, draw or sculpt away your rainy day blues. The AMC is open all day and in the evenings, and there are always supplies for painting, pottery, drawing, digital art and much more. Students come to finish up a still life sketch for their Advanced Drawing course or to wheel throw as a study break from their English papers. Whatever your interest or ability in art, there’s an option waiting for you to discover here, and a rainy day is the perfect time to explore.
2. Warm up by grabbing a bowl of soup and pouring yourself some tea, coffee or hot chocolate in Forbes Dining Hall. The warm, bustling atmosphere during fifth and sixth period lunch can provide the perfect contrast to a cold, rainy day
3. Sit on the second floor of the Stu (our Student Center) and enjoy the glass walled view of the gray day as you commiserate with friends. You can almost always find pockets of students sitting together on the couches by the        windows or hanging over the railing talking to their friends on the first floor. The Stu is the hub of social life at the Academy, and there’s no better way to enjoy a rainy day than with friends.
4. Make the most of those indoor practices. As tough as it can be to fit girls’ and boys’ varsity, junior varsity and freshmen teams indoors at the same time, the challenge becomes part of the fun. Some teams use the time to analyze game film, while others sit together in their locker rooms to have serious conversations about goals and plans for the rest of the season.
5. Curl up on a couch in Straus Library with your US History readings or a new book. Few people know about this hidden gem, for most people only know it as the College Counseling office or the site of morning assembly a few times a week. However, Straus has some of the comfiest couches around and the wood paneled room, with its shelves of antique books and comforting fireplace, provides a serene escape from a rainy day.
6. When the rain subsides, walk around campus and appreciate that refreshing post-rain scent and the freshly cleansed beauty of Milton’s campus. Stick to the pavement so your shoes don’t soak through!