For Wantagh High School’s Class of 2027, the next four years will feature the most challenging work of their lives. That’s why they didn’t have to feel guilty about a few hours of fun on Sept. 15.

Freshmen Field Day, an annual event for the district’s new high school students, brought out lots of laughs and smiles as the ninth graders rotated through 10 different stations. There was cornhole, a water balloon toss and various relay races. In teams of four, students had to work together to move forward on large skis. Hula hoop tic-tac-toe was a battle of wits as students strategically moved the other team’s markers.

At the end of field day, the groups came together for three final events. There was a tug-of-war, the three-legged race and hula hoop relay, in which students had to pass the hula hoop down the line without breaking their human chain.

In addition to a little fun before the true rigors of high school begin, Freshmen Field Day helps students build teamwork and problem-solving skills that they can use throughout their lives. Some new friendships usually develop, too, as students are randomly assigned to their groups. 

Freshmen Field Day was organized by teachers Marisa Cacesse and Deborah DiBiase. They are co-advisers of the Physical Education Leadership Club, which provided a helping hand as 20 upperclassmen helped run – and sometimes participated in – the different events. The Wantagh 6-12 Association provided water and a pizza lunch.