By Emma Grace Howlett ‘25
One of the most formative experiences of my first year at Pomona was being part of a Sponsor Group. During Orientation Week, all new students are grouped by residence hall into “Sponsor Groups,” consisting of around 15 of your dorm neighbors. For most people, the Sponsor Group functions as a social flotation device, a group of people you can count on to grab a meal or walk to class with during your first year of college. For me, leaning on my Sponsor Group helped to soften the blow of homesickness.
I was lucky enough to be placed in Gibson Hall, the smallest dorm on campus, home to 36 students. Nestled behind Mudd-Blaisdell Hall, Gibson is sheltered from the street and enjoys access to three idyllic courtyards with grassy lawns shaded by palm trees and bordered by Spanish-style arcades. The small dorm made social interactions with neighbors feel more intimate, and the courtyards encouraged casual outdoor socializing.
Orientation Week was intense and formative, as we were quickly immersed in a highly social atmosphere while acquainting ourselves with college resources like the Writing Center and learning basic skills like how to navigate the library and dining halls. The week ended with the ceremonial painting of Walker Wall, in which every Sponsor Group painted a panel celebrating their shared residence hall. We painted our hall mascot, a lizard named Gibby, along with a brilliant sun made from all our handprints.
Throughout my first year, our entire Sponsor Group would meet for meals once a month, as well as participate in the Pomona tradition of “fountaining.” This activity involves surprising someone on their birthday by tossing them into one of Pomona’s many fountains, all while singing “Happy Birthday,” going breathless from laughter, and cooling off in the spray.
Over my first year, I quickly bonded with five girls from my Sponsor Group – Claire, Willa, Grace, Serena, and Zoe. We share diverse interests, majoring in a wide range of topics including History, Neuroscience, Music, Public Policy Analysis, and Computer Science. Together, we have shared many important milestones such as declaring our majors sophomore spring and attending senior brunch. It’s been such a joy and honor to grow alongside each other as we navigate college, sharing both the highs and the lows. We check in on each other by sharing meals, and celebrate our friendships by attending dances or adventuring on hikes in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.
My loyalty to my “spiblings” still runs strong. I currently live in Gibson Hall, where I have lived all four years, with Claire as my roommate. She is one of my closest – and oldest- friends at Pomona. We are proud to be “the Gibson Gals!”