The Garrett Family Steps is an area on the OVS campus where classes meet, morning meetings are held, and most importantly where teenagers, verging on the age of becoming adults, feud in a highly competitive nature over children’s games such as four square.
Four Square is a simple game one might find 4th graders gleefully participating in at the OVS lower campus, however at the OVS upper campus, it is not nearly the same.
The games let students leave behind the stresses of high school and revert back to an elementary kid.
Many seniors seem to share the sentiment that the games are incredibly nostalgic, such as Alden Koskoff, Four Square aficionado, “It makes me feel like I’m back in elementary school and now that I’m leaving to college, it’s like the last chance for me to play these sort of games I grew up on.”
Since the emergence of four square, various other schoolyard games have popped up, such as badminton,
pickleball, baseball, Spikeball and even coin golf.
These games symbolize the communal and constant search for fun. The spirit of the OVS students has flung in all sorts of new and entertaining ways.
“We are always finding and playing new games spikeball, four square and now badmitten,” said junior Hannah Little. “I wonder what game will pop up next.”
History and Outdoor ed teacher, Zach Byars, loves watching games being played in the courtyard, “It really embodies what we try to do on and off campus, it builds a community that can laugh, have fun, and be competitive.”
The competitive nature of the games has led to haphazard and meaningless arguments, which usually end in a freshman refusing to leave the court in spite of the fact that they are without a doubt – out. But that’s really the name of the game, students who come together through meaningless banter and children’s games.
Students from all classes and groups of friends can play in a somewhat cohesive game which can be great as an icebreaker for students who don’t know each other or can be a catalyst for friendships waiting to be kindled.
Games in the courtyard tend to make students interact much more than they usually would, many students have picked up on this, including freshman Liam Stevens, “The games really help bring out the OVS community, a lot of kids would be on their phones, but then they see games being run and become really excited.”
It’s really something special to see students from all walks of life come together and play games that everybody knows.
Games at the Garrett Family Steps drive the students at OVS to create a tightly knit community, reinforcing notes of friendship and acceptance which can be heard and identified as the various screams and occasional squabbles are heard throughout the campus.
OVS Spanish teacher, Gretchen Wachter’s, room is located right next to the Garrett Family steps and is exposed everyday to the culture formed around the outdoor games.
“I like the fact that all age groups play and connect with each other,” said the Spanish teacher Ms.Wachter. “It allows students to be kids longer before college and beyond. It’s just a great outlet.”