Taoheng (Tao) Chen

Before the Bonfire even happened,  I had the opportunity to help build it! My friend and I, along with fellow 28s, took turns in shifts to build up a mega star-shaped bonfire. And then we got to sign it afterwards with our names—it took our class two days and tons of pizza breaks in between!

Perhaps the most exciting of them all, our class got to walk around the bonfire with our housing communities. This was something I’ve never experienced before, seeing a giant flame igniting the school spirit on The Green. Upperclassmen and alumni cheered us on as we walked around the Bonfire, paralleling the powerful flame igniting our spirit. I'm proud to say that I’ve officially “come home”!

At Dartmouth, I’m also a part of the student council, who are in charge of planning class events to promote community. After the Bonfire, I got to lead a giant karaoke session where I sang my heart out with my classmates; what’s more exciting is that I’m still meeting new people from my class even though I’ve been here for more than two months. I think the beautiful thing about Dartmouth is exactly the tight-knit community that makes Dartmouth, Dartmouth!

This is a 15 minute drive from campus. The Gile Mountain hike lasts about thirty minutes, and at the end of the hike you’ll reach a giant fire-tower that oversees the entire forest in the vicinity! The pictures cannot capture just how beautiful the fall foliages are, and you just have to come to Dartmouth to experience this! 

Another trip that is also a 15 minute drive from campus but towards the Ski-Lodge instead. Side note: Yes, we do have a ski-lodge at Dartmouth! During the winter term at Dartmouth, since we’re on a four quarter term system corresponding to the seasons, Dartmouth students are able to take skiing and snowboarding classes here. Before snow covers the trails, the trail to Holt’s Ledge, which is also a part of the Appalachian Trail, makes an amazing trip during the fall to hike! This hike took about two hours, and the elevation was significantly higher than Gile, and it definitely offered a greater view of New England! 

Also, because sunrikes take place in the morning, and it gets chilly in the fall, you’d actually see mists on your way back to campus before it clears and it just adds an additional touch to the mystical veil of New England—oh, to experience Dartmouth mornings! 

The Ledyard Canoe Club, also known as “Ledyard,” is another sub club at Dartmouth that deals with many water-based trips: anywhere from paddling and canoeing by the Connecticut River on campus to break canoeing trips in the Everglades! Plus, as a Dartmouth student, all gears and boat/canoe rentals are free. I’ve gone on one trip so far: Pancake Paddles! While you don’t necessarily paddle with pancakes, we do eat pancakes and paddle! For pancake paddle, you show up to the boat house at Dartmouth by the Connecticut River and groove to morning jams while flipping pancakes. After a delicious meal, you get to paddle  a mega-canoe with your fellow classmates and vibe!