2025 HSLP: Day 1

High School LEaders Program Class of 2025
Day 1: Saturday, July 12th
By: Nahyla Barakt (Freeman High School, Glen Allen VA) & Riley Woods (Hanover High School, Ashland VA)

As 28 high school students arrived on UVA Grounds, the nervous excitement was growing. After everyone moved into the Dabney House dorms, we all met in the lounge to play a round of bingo before saying goodbye to our parents. We met again afterwards in the lounge to discuss the program's expectations and play a word association game about the importance of being nonpartisan. 

Following that, we took a tour around the grounds of UVA to explore where we would be having class for the next two weeks. We got to interact with our classmates more during a delicious catered meal from Sticks Kebab Shop. After dinner, we got to break into smaller groups to continue to get to know each other. The first day was a positive experience for everyone and created a sense of excitement for the rest of the two weeks.