Susan '28
Susan '28
Hometown: Cairo, Egypt
Groton activities: Student Activities Committee, Black-Latinx Alliance, track and field, swimming, International Community Advising Program
Most surprising when you first arrived at Groton: The most surprising thing about Groton when I first arrived was the ease at which a community formed. Whether this was within the dorm with my prefects or in the classroom with my friends, I was immediately surrounded by people that made Groton feel like home. Looking back, I’m still in awe at how quickly those friendships formed.
Favorite class: Third Form History with Dr. Ibrahim. I transferred into the class a week late but it quickly became my favorite class period. The lively class discussions, presentations and projects grew my love for the subject more and more as the year passed. Learning to manage the high quantity of reading and note taking quickly became a valuable skill that benefited me in other areas as well.
Most memorable Groton moment: My most memorable moment at Groton was the Track and Field New England championships. The full day track meet required missing a full day of Saturday classes and rushing back to campus 20 minutes into Spring Formal. The day was filled with high energy, and a sense of pride and sadness for the seniors’ last track meet. It was the perfect finale to a season filled with fun, bonding with the other members of the team and growing my love for the sport even more.
Favorite Dining Hall food: The chicken tenders with honey mustard!
Favorite place to study: The dining hall early in the morning before it fills with the pre-chapel breakfast rush.
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![Snowball Fight! Oh and Soliday!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770666058/grotonorg/ezulpdsflyr93k869g1l/DSC04352.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770666058/grotonorg/ezulpdsflyr93k869g1l/DSC04352.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770666058/grotonorg/ezulpdsflyr93k869g1l/DSC04352.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770666058/grotonorg/ezulpdsflyr93k869g1l/DSC04352.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1770666058/grotonorg/ezulpdsflyr93k869g1l/DSC04352.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1770666058/grotonorg/ezulpdsflyr93k869g1l/DSC04352.jpg","width":2200}])
Winter Suprise Holiday is always little unique compared to the others! The announcement by the school prefects and our headmaster Mr. Maqubela takes place the night before rather than after Chapel. This Winter Term, speculation was more undercover than previous years and I was pleasantly surprised.
![A square style gingerbread house]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1767197797/grotonorg/fs51z0dgyipgyplgpe4c/IMG_3276-OluwagbemisolaAdelakin.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1767197797/grotonorg/fs51z0dgyipgyplgpe4c/IMG_3276-OluwagbemisolaAdelakin.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1767197797/grotonorg/fs51z0dgyipgyplgpe4c/IMG_3276-OluwagbemisolaAdelakin.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1767197797/grotonorg/fs51z0dgyipgyplgpe4c/IMG_3276-OluwagbemisolaAdelakin.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1767197797/grotonorg/fs51z0dgyipgyplgpe4c/IMG_3276-OluwagbemisolaAdelakin.jpg","width":1560}])
This past Sunday, I found myself in the Student Center for a BLA meeting. BLA standing for Black Latinx Alliance. The Alliance gathers every few weeks to connect, chat, and strengthen our community presence on campus.
![A group of young women, dressed casually, are gathered together at what appears to be a restaurant or cafe setting, with a decorative floral backdrop and tables set with plates and glasses in the foreground.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763494024/grotonorg/dkwzzgh3skxfzqn56pq5/Susan1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763494024/grotonorg/dkwzzgh3skxfzqn56pq5/Susan1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763494024/grotonorg/dkwzzgh3skxfzqn56pq5/Susan1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1763494024/grotonorg/dkwzzgh3skxfzqn56pq5/Susan1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1763494024/grotonorg/dkwzzgh3skxfzqn56pq5/Susan1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1763494024/grotonorg/dkwzzgh3skxfzqn56pq5/Susan1.jpg","width":2200}])
Perhaps the most speculated day of the term, is the triannual Surprise Holiday. Once a term, the House and Senior Prefects announce the Surprise Holiday and Mr. Maqubela dons the green jacket that is a staple of the tradition.
![A group of people dressed in colorful, vibrant outfits, including wigs, sunglasses, and other accessories, posing together in what appears to be a festive or celebratory setting with a circular stage or platform in the background.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760474237/grotonorg/eo5jdrtiqi1lgs1lkkdq/DSCN2800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760474237/grotonorg/eo5jdrtiqi1lgs1lkkdq/DSCN2800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760474237/grotonorg/eo5jdrtiqi1lgs1lkkdq/DSCN2800.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760474237/grotonorg/eo5jdrtiqi1lgs1lkkdq/DSCN2800.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760474237/grotonorg/eo5jdrtiqi1lgs1lkkdq/DSCN2800.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760474237/grotonorg/eo5jdrtiqi1lgs1lkkdq/DSCN2800.jpg","width":2200}])
Every year, a highly anticipated first-week-of-school tradition is the first dance of the year. The first Saturday night after classes begin is Dorm Storm.
![A crowd of people in Times Square]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757101204/grotonorg/w6kbmshywmnktocbpgce/SusanPost1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757101204/grotonorg/w6kbmshywmnktocbpgce/SusanPost1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757101204/grotonorg/w6kbmshywmnktocbpgce/SusanPost1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757101204/grotonorg/w6kbmshywmnktocbpgce/SusanPost1.png","width":1112}])
On August 4th, I found myself on a plane approaching JFK International Airport, touching down at 9 AM for what I thought was a short layover.
![Kids watch from a bridge as one does a flip into the ocean]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757100971/grotonorg/dxitm1mvoi89spy4bwvh/SusanPost1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757100971/grotonorg/dxitm1mvoi89spy4bwvh/SusanPost1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757100971/grotonorg/dxitm1mvoi89spy4bwvh/SusanPost1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757100971/grotonorg/dxitm1mvoi89spy4bwvh/SusanPost1.jpg","width":1142}])
This summer, my good friend Maggie '28 invited my roommate Cora '28, Brisa '28 and I to spend a week on Cape Cod with her family.