Belén Yudess ’25
Copy Editor
Scripps hosted its annual Family Weekend from Feb. 15-16 with a range of events and talks spanning both days.
The itinerary included academic events, including a Denison Library open house and a Study Abroad and Global Education (SAGE) panel, as well as social-oriented events, such as a moonlit campus tour and Zumba morning workout at Tiernan Field House. The weekend concluded with a Queen cover band for students and families to enjoy beneath the setting sun.
As families had a chance to explore the variety of fruit trees, peruse student internship posters spread throughout Seal Court, and browse the Scripps Store in search of the elusive Scripps Dad t-shirt, first-year parents were enamored by the weekend’s display.
“I’ve learned there is so much she can get involved with and how many opportunities there are,” Trish Lagrant, parent of Eva Lagrant ’28, said. “Reading [about] all of the various internships that have happened — although Eva’s going into the sciences — there’s so many opportunities within so many areas.”
In addition to the gallery of past internships, a student panel featured college-funded summer research projects from three seniors.
“I believe that central to the academic experience at Scripps is the excellent work our students do, both in the classrooms and beyond, and often under the direct mentorship of our amazing faculty,” Assistant Dean of Faculty Warren Liu said via email. “This past Saturday’s Student Research Panel served as a perfect illustration of this, highlighting summer research projects exhibiting a wide range of inquiry, including Belén Yudess’s exploration of the novels of Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Taylor Kindron’s analysis of the ‘poetics of violence’ in Restoration Theater, and Corina Silverstein’s engagement with the representation of LA street vendors in visual art.”
Aside from the more formal aspects of Family Weekend, the event served as an invitation for family members to take a glimpse into the everyday lives of their students.
“[Eva and I] talk all the time and she’ll talk about different people and different places,” Lagrant said. “It’s just nice because when we were here in the summer, it was all brand new to Eva — she didn’t know any of it, so it’s really nice to be in this place [that has become] her second home.”
Cecilia Brown ’28 echoed this sentiment as she discussed sharing her routines and favorite on-campus spots with her parents.
“I think they could see more of my excitement being here and the things I love about the school, it was kind of like admitted students day part two,” she said. “Just being able to experience this new chapter of my life with my family while also being incredibly independent.”
Although newer families were elated by the array of opportunities Family Weekend highlighted that their students could one day partake in, families of seniors on the brink of commencement season used the weekend as a period of reflection.
“Each year has been a different experience, both in how we see the campus and how we witness Abbie’s growth and maturity — especially as she is deeply involved in school and student life,” Holly Oh and Juan Carlos Arroyo-Rosas, parents of Abbie Oh Arroyo ’25, said.
Oh Arroyo also commented how her parents’ involvement in Family Weekend has shifted over the years, representing how accustomed she has become to her life and community on campus.
“My freshman year, my parents participated in the official programming, but in the years since, they haven’t,” she said. “Instead, I’ve been more interested in giving them a genuine perspective of my day-to-day life. Since I’m local to Claremont, our weekend usually consists of me taking them around campus, sharing stories, introducing them to friends, and letting them relax in my room.”
Yet, Oh Arroyo was also skeptical of Family Weekend and the narrative Scripps attempts to create for the public palette.
“The school works hard to polish its image, highlighting resources and activities in a way that showcases the best aspects of campus life,” she said. “One part that stood out to me was the statement displayed at The Motley [about why the walls are still blank], which sparked important conversations about [how these] policies impact student life. It was a great opportunity to discuss some of the challenges students face and engage with parents on these topics.”
In the fall of 2024, Scripps administration faced backlash over their decision to close The Motley regarding their display of the Palestinian flag, as well as their subsequent mandate of allowing reopening only under the condition of maintaining blank walls. These policies, as well as a general lack of transparency and communication from Scripps, have led students to hold a more critical lens when considering the promotional events hosted by the college.
“Looking ahead to Alumni and Reunion Weekend, I want to pay closer attention to the kinds of conversations that take place about Scripps’ image and policies,” Oh Arroyo said. “With past students returning instead of parents, it’ll be interesting to see how they reflect on their time at Scripps, how their perspectives align, or clash, with the way the school presents itself now, and what kinds of discussions emerge around student life and institutional changes.”
Photo Courtesy of Ellen Wang ’25
