Contributing writer Darina Huang ’23 interviewed Emilie Clitus ’24, Ms. Kristin Glasheen, instructor in Spanish, Amelia Kain ’23, and Nadia Puente ’21, about their transition to campus and in-person classes.

How has the quarantine period allowed you to bond with your floor – in ways that may not have been possible in the past?

Kain: “Being limited to a certain amount of people, while it seemed annoying at first, gave me more of an opportunity to become closer to people in my pod. I would’ve branched out and made more friends, but I wouldn’t be as close to any of them as I am to the people on my floor. 

Puente: “I think the activities and floor bonding were the most fun part of quarantine. We have a great proctor team on our floor, and it’s been fun to sit around outside and listen to music with the speaker and then have more scheduled activities like going to the farm, the lake, and Hoyt. We have so many ideas among us proctors, like Netflix Party, Skribbl.io, and the most important part is hoping our proctees will join. 

Has being “confined to your room” affected you mentally?

Puente: “Yes, I think my productivity as far as homework has slowed down, but I’ve looked at it as more of a way to get myself and my room organized. It’s been really helpful for college as I’ve finished a lot of writing. I think it’s mentally difficult, but I’ve tried to look at the positive side and how I can be productive. 

How have you enjoyed both structured outdoor activities and free time outside?

Kain: “I have enjoyed most of the structured activities, especially walking to the farm and back. I might’ve stayed in my room voluntarily more if it wasn’t for the activities. Quarantine has also given me more of an appreciation for time spent with others and outdoors.”

Clitus: “Getting to know everyone in my pod is very fun, especially when being in an informal setting because we can just talk and relate to each other. I really enjoy the structured activities because it was nice to see all of Hotchkiss’ facilities that I might not have been able to see under normal circumstances.” 

As a proctor, what has been the hardest part of leading your floor through the quarantine period, and what is different this year?

Puente: “The hardest part was probably needing to be the rule enforcer for once versus letting the floor hang out and have fun in past years. We as a team have to be the ones that consistently remind our floor of the safety protocols. The job is now more than ever been about building community safety and bonding. We can only organize a set amount of activities a week where we can see each other in person. It’s up to us as proctors to do lots of engaging activities as a floor, and it’s our duty to make sure that all of our proctees feel comfortable. We especially want to make the new students feel loved and a sense of belonging even though they don’t know many people yet.

As a new student, have you found it difficult to integrate into the community?

Clitus: “No, because everyone in my pod has been very helpful in explaining how things work at Hotchkiss. It’s nice because every Prep here is new, so we’re getting to figure everything out together.”

How have your duties & responsibilities as a dorm faculty changed this year in quarantine?

Ms. Glasheen: “We need to be on duty a lot more during this quarantine, like every other day, and have to be around for noon check-ins. Hopefully we’ll be able to get back into our normal routine soon although we might be supervising meals in the dining hall. The responsibilities have increased especially for dorm faculty living in the dorms, but the affiliates also helped out frequently.”

Interviews have been lightly edited for clarity.