Typically, Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming takes place in Boston, Massachusetts in November. Yet due to the ongoing pandemic, meeting in person was not possible. Instead, this year, the Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming events took place online. One event, hosted by OHS’s very own Literary Club, was focused on “Rants and Reflections” of 2020 and was led by some of the OHS Literary Club leaders. The topics chosen were Covid-19, Mental Health, Racial Justice, Elections, and Climate. It started out with poetry readings by both Literary Club facilitators and volunteering audience members. After reading the chosen poems, audience members were encouraged to analyze the poems, markup the reading, make connections to their own lives, and discuss how they felt. After the poetry readings, they reflected on the chosen topics by writing on their own and sharing their pieces with the group out loud. 

One of the leaders discussed the online circumstances of the event and how it compared to previous years. Kee Olandesca ’21, reflects on the significance and impact that Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming has on students saying, “I’ve never attended Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming in person before. I was hoping that this year, my senior year, would be my first time, but I always hear a lot of fun stories from my friends. The highlight is always seeing each other, reuniting after months or even years of not meeting in person, or perhaps meeting for the first time.”

She continues by commenting that for most years, Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming activities include “plenty of academic and planned social events interspersed, particularly the MIT classes and the OHS hangouts. But [she] knows that [her] friends have always loved hanging out at different places in Boston.”

Olandesca points out that the online Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming event had many activities to offer as well, including “a lot of academic events, as well as social opportunities like the various gaming sessions. The most important thing is being able to spend time with each other outside class and … was also more accommodating to international students, many of whom can’t fly to Boston for the weekend-long event.”

While it is unfortunate that this year’s OHS Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming couldn’t be in person, the effort made by the OHS community to make the event still fun is commendable. Through events like these that have unfortunately had to become online, a sense of community has been found. So many students put much effort into creating fun and memorable events for the Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming this year! Through reading poetry together and ranting about what a crazy year it’s been, students have been able to find a sense of connection and togetherness at the Literary Club’s Splash/Stanford OHS Homecoming event.