Party Like it's 1915...

...Black Cat Week 2013

It's 30 minutes to midnight. On a regular day, most of the Scotties would be studying in the library or preparing to sleep. But not during this week. Everyone is outside, getting ready to start out the Black Cat Week by rushing through the campus quad and decorating it. There are four visible themes dominating. Each class has its own one that is represented by the color of the class and their mascot. Why? What for? In fact, it is one of the oldest traditions at Agnes Scott. "Black Cat began in 1915 as a prank night between first-year students and sophomores. It now marks the end of orientation and the official recognition of the new class in the campus community." (read more) There are four colors representing the four classes: yellow, blue, green and red. Although each new class is assigned a color, every class decides on their own original mascot, and the first years reveal their mascot during Black Cat. Currently we've got: 

First Years (Freshmen Class of 2017):

The Lions

Second Years (Sophomores Class of 2016):

The Muses

Third Years (Juniors Class of 2015):

The Tinkerbells

Fourth Years (Seniors Class of 2014): 

The Foxes

Class parties

Scotties know how to transform a regular dinner in Evans Dining Hall into a great party. During the Black Cat Week every class holds a theme party during dinner time. Thanks to our wonderful kitchen staff, special food is served in the colors of our classes. 

• Monday 30th September Junior Party "Alien Theme"

Evans Dining Hall changed into a Solar System. 

Some alien delights

• Tuesday 1st October Freshmen Party "On the Beach" 

Life is a Beach...

Some students danced with a Tinkerwolf- the junior class as well as the first year's sister class alternative mascot (spot it in the middle of the crowd) while others enjoyed their books. Anything is fun on the beach.

• Wednesday 2nd October Sophomore Party "The Odyssey"

Do you recognize the characters from "The Odyssey"?

Come on an Odyssey with the sophomores.

 

• Thursday 3rd October Senior Party "Movie Theater"

Have you heard the song about the fox sound (check it out here)? It became a new anthem for our seniors this year.



The senior's table in the dinning hall.

In fact, every day of the Black Cat Week was busy with some activities. One night the four classes competed in Trivia, answering questions from a variety of subjects including a test on knowledge about Agnes Scott. Another time the Field Day took place and the outdoor game this year was... the Quidditch. Each class selected a team that was boldly "flying" on their brooms to score some goals. Black Cat brought a lot of fun opportunities for the creative and artsy students, too. 

Besides the colorful decorations that were spread all around the campus, we had to come up with some songs, dances and performances. The outcome was presented during a spectacular "Junior Production" led by the junior class. As everything comes to an end, Scotties always finish with a big boom. On the last night of the week we celebrated the Black Cat during a formal party.  

For me, as an international student,a tradition like Black Cat is very unique. It gives me a chance to be a part of a great bonding experience with my classmates. It is also a way for the students to take a break from a routine of studying and simply have fun. This points out another advantage of living in a small community like the one at Agnes Scott: we understand that finding balance between academics and other activities is essential and possible to achieve.

The creativity of our Scotties is out of a measure!

The theme of this year's formal party was "The Great Gatsby".

I would like to thank Center for Student Engagement at Agnes Scott College for letting me use some of their photos here. I hope that this post gave you an idea of some traditions that we cultivate at Agnes Scott. There are many more of them and I will make sure to update you about them, too. Be on the lookout for the next post in couple of weeks to read more about the month of October in the United States and why it is my favorite one of all. Feel free to e-mail me at globaladmission@agnesscott.edu. Maybe we will participate in the next Black Cat Week together?

Camille Pham- Lake and Lizzie Booher aka Black Cats of 2013

Karolina Klimczak '16

Office of Admission International Fellow

Agnes Scott College 

141 E. College Ave

Decatur GA 30030