Happy Holidays from Minds Matter

All three Minds Matter classes packed into one conference room for a special holiday-themed session.

For our last session of the year, Minds Matter Seattle had a very festive day complete with ugly sweaters, sharing holiday traditions, and cookie decorating.

The afternoon session kicked-off with three alumni from our first graduating class of 2016, who came to share with current Minds Matter students about their first semester in college. One went to Princeton, the other two stayed closer to home at the University of Washington.

Thanh, a 2016 alumni, talks about being a freshman at Princeton. Thanh was the only student of her 6-person Minds Matter class to go to college out East.

Lots of great questions were asked and the alumni panel provided insight into what it’s like to be a college freshman. College is on the minds of all of our students, with sophomores and juniors considering summer programs, and seniors deep in the college application process. For volunteers, remembering long-past college days evoked a little bit of nostalgia.

Next, several current Minds Matter students presented their holiday traditions to the group, sharing their family’s traditions and stories of the season, and after that, Fall Semester Certificates were presented. These certificates of accomplishment are given to students who have completed all of their Minds Matter assignments since the start of program this September.

Students taking an academic break to have a laugh and decorate cookies.

Once all presentations had been made, the real holiday fun began! 150 homemade cookies were brought in for decoration, and students and volunteers alike enjoyed decorating and of course, munching on, them. A photobooth with props was set up and lots of people took goofy photos together. Session wrapped up with an ugly sweater contest, where one student and one volunteer won a prize for their unsightly knitwear.

Students getting silly in the photo booth!

Minds Matter Seattle will pick up again following Winter Break, in the first week of January. We look forward to a happy and productive New Year, and wish the same for you!