by Senior Journalism students AJ B. and Ramsey R.
Every October, the Oak Hill Academy senior class spends one fall Wednesday away from campus while the rest of OHA’s students take the College Board’s PSAT. During their time off ‘The Hill,’ the students bond through a variety of activities.
This year there were three different opportunities for students: going to a rec center; participating in community service; and taking in a movie. Most of the class of 2020 visited the Wytheville Parks & Recreation Community Center, where some of the group enjoyed the game room, playing ping-pong, air hockey, billiards, and even video games. Other students took part in physical activities such as playing basketball and climbing the rock wall. Anees Abdul-Raheem said, “It is delightful to have a day off with my fellow seniors. I enjoyed playing basketball and pool with my friends.” A smaller group of students went swimming, enjoying the social atmosphere of the pool and hot tub. A few students got in their workouts using the Precor cross-training machines, ellipticals, treadmills, and adaptive motion trainers.
Students enjoyed the freedom to try new activities with their friends and spending time getting to know each other better. For lunch, the rec center students went with their respective academic advisors. Each advisory group got to pick their own place to eat. This allowed the smaller groups to develop a closer connection.
Part of the senior class volunteered to spend the day helping in the local community. They went with Rev. Turnmire to tear down an old barn, to help repurpose the barn wood, and to crawl under a house to measure for new insulation to make the home more comfortable for a senior member of the Mouth of Wilson community. They spent the entire day away from campus working! Justin Mauney and Will Heard both shared, “It was a good time. It is fun work to tear down a barn!”
A few seniors traveled with Mr. Dacons to lunch and a movie. This allowed his group to get back to campus early for a full basketball practice.
It was a good day for everyone!