By Emily Ullmann ’11, Staff Writer

What do the appearance code and the senior initiation slide have in common? Aside from a ridiculous name, they both mainly consist of the color brown and when the day is over, you want to throw out your ugly clothes. What don’t the appearance code and the slide have in common? Fun and self-expression!
The famous senior chocolate slide has been a tradition at NA for many, many years. Underclassmen count the months until they can plunge into a sticky mess with 99 other people.
The night started in typical senior fashion; no senior was there until almost an hour and a half after the event was scheduled to start. Whether at the mall grabbing a bite or just avoiding being stared at by the awkward new sixth graders, the seniors finally made their dramatic entrance.  With matching t-shirts, groups of friends gathered and tried to keep warm while sitting on breaking picnic tables.
Once the not-so edgy watermelon contest was over, seniors could be found posing on each other’s shoulders, documenting the experience. Underclassmen should take note of the standard poses that the senior class has perfected.
Finally, with cameras in the careful hands of siblings and younger friends, the deserving class of 2011 stood at the top of the, eh hem, hill. Once Ms. Galvin had successfully tie-dyed the hem of her pants brown and ruined her cross-trainers, THEY DOVE!
Chaos ensued as groups of friends were tackled by the five guys who qualify as big in the grade. Limbs flew everywhere and knees hit the ground hard! Timarie Diehl was caught in the mosh-pit and had this to say when she reappeared in school supported by crutches: “The injury was worth it. The slide was so much fun! I just hope I don’t mess things up for future generations.” Maybe her new walking accessories will prevent her getting robed… or not.
Well, putting injuries, shirts, and photos aside, the night ran smoothly. The seniors bonded as a class, quite literally sticking together, through the initiation process. The long minutes of watching the council members try not to fall as they spread the sugary substances on the mat won’t soon be forgotten. We have the pictures to prove we were there!