We Are Family, I Got All My Sisters With Me!

10 May 2021Maddy W, Hope ‘21, Hope House Big/Little Sister Prefect

The Big Bros and Big/Little Sister programs are highly valued traditions in all eight of the Brentwood houses. Within each house, this program and its activities may look a little different, but they all share the same goal of creating meaningful cross-grade friendships, giving the younger students peers to look up to and seek advice in, and bringing the house closer as a whole.

Ellis and Rogers might choose to schedule their Big Bros activities as bi-weekly pizza parties – to the dismay of their diminishing house budgets – while Privett might periodically use this time to get outside or into the gym to let off some steam playing dodgeball. Alex seniors might challenge their little sisters to rice crispy bar baking competitions or indulge in the odd movie night, while Mack House might choose to serenade the campus with a haunting campfire sing along.

Whatever the excursion, each appointed Big Bros or Big/Little Sister Prefect(s) – the best prefect position, I might add – in charge of creating the cross-grade groups, coordinates with their houseparents to organize the most fun and beneficial activities for their respective house.

Hope House, in particular, prides itself on the close cross-grade friendships all of its members cherish, in part due to the fantastic Big/Little sister friendships that were formed in the beginning of the year. It is not uncommon for Grade 12s to be seen spilling the tea in Grade 9’s rooms, or vice versa, and no matter the age gap, everyone feels comfortable approaching their ‘sisters’ with any quandaries or questions they may have.

Inara W, Hope ‘24 exclaims, “I think it’s really awesome to be able to make relationships with everyone throughout the different grades. It’s also really nice to always have people to go to advice for” which is music to the ears of all the senior students who work so hard for their Big/Little Sister relationships to remain strong and positive throughout their time at Brentwood.

This past year has consisted of a Big/Little self-care night, pizza party and countless dinner dates and field hangouts within distinct Big/Little sister groups of 3-5 girls, allowing all the groups to grow together, working to demolish any separation between older and younger grades.

“Big/Little Sisters is such an awarding experience, no matter the age” summarizes graduating student Zosia S, Hope ‘21 and a fabulous big sister to three succeeding Hopelings. “I’ve personally formed strong bonds with all my little sisters and am grateful to have a little family within a bigger family.”

A huge thank you is owed to all the members of Hope House for upholding this meaningful tradition and putting their best foot forward in all organized activities and casual hangouts. Hope House is already a family, the Big/Little Sister program only strengthens our tight-knit group, and gives us all 50 more sisters!

Maddy W, Hope ‘21, Hope House Big/Little Sister Prefect

Where Students Choose To Be