The most important thing in high school is not a classroom, a transcript, or a resume, but the people you spend four years with. At Communications High School (CHS) students are given the opportunity to branch out and meet people from all over Monmouth County—an experience that differs from a traditional high school.

This opportunity also presents a challenge: starting a new school year with 80 strangers. Every incoming= class has faced this hurdle, with a helping hand from a longtime CHS tradition: the second day of school isn’t spent at school. The Class of 2028 along with the senior class council and members of the Student Government Association (SGA) take a bus to Thompson Park, a part of the Monmouth County Park Association, for a day full of bonding activities.

During the first half of the day, students are led through icebreaker exercises by peer leaders who have been in their exact position, while the rest of the day is passed with physical games set up by park rangers and longtime Thompson Park activity coordinators.

Peer leaders pass down games they played at Thompson, activities ranging from Follow the Leader to Two Truths and One Lie, hoping to leave freshmen with lasting memories.

“My favorite game was ‘Mafia’ because I feel like it was really interactive, I made better bonds and you can really talk to people and discuss things,” remarked freshman Naomi Schultz of Ocean Township.

“Some people that I met it feels like I’ve known them for a long time, but we just met yesterday,” said freshman Taylor Giberson of Ocean Township.

The most important part of the day isn’t the activities, however, but the thirty minute lunch period in the middle of the day. The class that was barely able to share a bus on the way to Thompson Park is unrecognizable at lunch; they practically clammer over each other to sit with newfound friends to eat a sandwich, crack open a soda can and talk about their favorite part of the morning.

“I really feel like this has helped me,” continued Schultz, “new people are even sitting with us at lunch.”

For many years Thompson Park was modified due to COVID-19 and administrative issues, but Principal Emily Bonilla brought it back to help newcomers, like herself, start the year off right. Students not only opened up to fellow students, but also to teachers, including Live Studio teacher and Class of 2028 co-advisor Mr. Pelicano.

“In the beginning of the day kids were more quiet, and scared to come out of their shells,” said Pelicano. “As they’ve gone through all these activities together lead through our wonderful student leaders, and of course the Thompson Park staff, we’ve really seen them open up to each other in even a few short hours. It’s been really fun to be here and I’m so excited.”