Mermaids Forever

14 November 2012Samantha D, Allard ‘13

A black plaque announces the name of the building you enter, but the ocean themed paintings and mermaid décor are also clears signals that you have entered Allard House. The foyer is arranged with a comfortable display of couches that are usually occupied by one of the girls, and five whiteboards encircle you, letting you know exactly what is going on at every minute of every day.

The largest house on campus, Allard is home to 62 girls. We live in 28 dorms that speckle the building over the span of three floors. Each floor has a different atmosphere depending on the girls who live there, and every girl has a unique bond with her floormates and roommate. Although it seems a little weird, getting ready for big events such as Snowball and Open Houses in the bathroom with my floormates are some of my happiest memories.

Allard is full of girls with different interests. London F, Grade 10, was a lead in the school play last year, while Grade 12s Caroline C, Spencer M and Ailish T were all members of a silver medal rowing crew at St. Catherine’s last June. There are so many girls with so many different quirks and personalities that it quickly becomes easy to find a friendly face under our one roof.

Matched with Rogers House, Allard is a dominant force in the interhouse competition. Our house colour is a vibrant orange and the girls will often rally together in house colours at events to cheer on our representatives as we compete in events such as Eco-Challenge, the Geography Challenge, Interhouse Soccer and Interhouse Field Hockey. Most recently, Allard won Interhouse Basketball. Go Allard!

This is my second year living in Allard, and I can safely say that there is no other house I would rather be in. In Allard, when you installed as a prefect, you are presented with a prefect pin for your blazer and a bright red tie with a mermaid silhouette on the bottom. The day I was presented with my tie was one of my proudest days in the house.

Samantha D, Allard ‘13

Where Students Choose To Be