A few weeks ago UACHS launched an exciting new weekly event: New Friend Fridays. Every Friday, students are invited to the black box theater to get away from their devices, play games, enjoy themselves, and, most importantly, make new friends.
New Friend Friday aims to create a welcoming space for everyone. It has a variety of activities, such as board and card games, as well as group challenges. Its purpose is to give students a break from the stress of tests and homework assignments throughout the week and provide them with a fun and relaxed environment to hang out with friends and even connect with others.
Every week there is a variety of games to choose from. One week might have a group trivia game while the others could have classic games like Uno or Jenga. With the event activities being unpredictable, this keeps things exciting and encourages students to return each week for even more fun.
According to assistant principal, Michele Bruce, the idea for New Friend Friday was to address a need at UACHS.
“We wanted to create something that could help students who might find the lunchroom overwhelming or lonely,” said Bruce. “It’s not a good feeling to sit by yourself or not know how to strike up a conversation.”
Bruce also explained that lunchtime challenges also come from students feeling socially awkward or not knowing how to put themselves out there.
“For those who are quieter or feel different, navigating the lunchroom can be really hard,” said Bruce. “This event gives them a safe space to interact, while also helping everyone mix things up and get to know new people.”
Being in the high school environment is not always easy. While you could have the same friends from the previous year, making new friends is something that can happen along the way.
New Friend Fridays allows all grades, from freshman to seniors, to connect. Having new connections can get you a step ahead. You can get honest reviews about teachers, classes, and tips to get through courses.
It is not just about playing games, it is about meeting new people who can make your high school experience more enjoyable and memorable.
