One of the first things you might notice when you arrive on campus is how alive everything feels. From the tall trees and bright leaves to the way nature seems to wrap around every corner, Stuart’s campus is full of life. Hidden within it all is one of my favorite spots, a little place called Friendship Forest. 

Upper schoolers go there for peer groups, middle schoolers use it for science projects, and lower schoolers get to explore the ponds and streams. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of campus and a core part of what makes being a Stuart girl so special.

Since my freshman year, I’ve loved spending time in Friendship Forest with friends. It’s a place to slow down, breathe, and make memories. Whenever we had a free period, we would instantly think of going there. We’d balance on logs, walk the trails, and cross the stream, trying not to fall in. We laughed, breathed, and took a break from our devices for a while. Something so simple always felt special.

I still replay the moments when we slipped, thought we were completely lost only to realize the trail was a full circle, or screamed at a hidden caterpillar under a log. Because it was such a big part of my freshman year, I decided to share it with my current friend group, which includes a lot of freshmen. It started raining and our shoes got muddy, but it was something new for them. At first, they weren’t sure, but soon their curiosity took over and they started exploring. Watching them laugh and walk the same paths I once did reminded me how important it is to keep small traditions alive.

Friendship Forest is a living memory of my time at Stuart and of so many others. It is truly a place where the past and present meet. It holds so many memories and serves as a reminder of the simple joys that make our time at Stuart so special.