The experience not only allowed freshmen to become better acquainted with one another, but it taught them about an important cross-curricular topic: Michelangelo’s paintings on the Sistine Chapel.

Freshman students traveled to Garden State Plaza to view a special exhibit called Up Close: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The exhibit recreated the awe and wonder of one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements while allowing visitors to experience the art from a new perspective. With special expertise and care, the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel were reproduced in their original sizes using state-of-the-art technology. Because Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel are covered in ninth grade religious studies, history, and art courses, this exhibit provided a perfect cross-curricular lesson.

Prior to leaving IHA, freshman students enjoyed a hot brunch and class elections. They also participated in a photo scavenger hunt and took a Michelangelo and Sistine Chapel trivia quiz. Caroline McKee’21 said her favorite part of the day was the scavenger hunt. “We all got to work together in ways other than in the classroom, something our freshman class has never done before,” she said. “I definitely feel that I bonded with my classmates more that day because I was able to work together with all of my sisters as we tried to reach our common goal of completing the scavenger hunt.”

Click here to view more photos from the Freshman Day of Sisterhood.