Brittania

Brittania Reynolds and Chelsea Stellato, both members of the Class of 2005, are two of the many students helping others. "Pomfret promotes a community of unity," said Brittania. "The Homesick Group is one of many ways that the School helps students become comfortable with their new environment." Chelsea agrees. "When I arrived at Pomfret, I received great tips from other students and faculty on how to adjust to being part of a new community. Now it's my turn to give back."

The Homesick Group is very action oriented. Some of the activities in which the group participates include taking pictures of things they like about Pomfret and then sharing them with the group. This year, one of the most popular images for the group was the outdoor chapel, located in the woods behind the hockey rink. The group has also shared with each other special items from their homes. ?This has been very interesting for us,? said Carolyn. ?It?s great to learn about the various cultures and communities that each of us come from.? Other activities have included dining at local restaurants and touring the ?sacred? places of Pomfret.

Though you would assume that distance from home and age would be strong factors in the make-up of this group, it?s more about perspective. ?It?s an enormous shift from life as they know it,? according to Carolyn. ?Learning and understanding that homesickness is natural and that transition is simply more challenging for some people, is important for participants. We promote maintaining a connection to where they?re from and encourage students to call home. All of us need a certain amount of security.?

From Providence to Pomfret, Carolyn has gained a lot from living on the Hilltop. ?I always look forward to a new school year because this group always attracts such nice kids, both former and new students, and provides them with a positive experience. It is extremely rewarding to watch students gain strength and conquer challenge.?