Tom Ford’s voice booms throughout the auditorium along with his actions sinking into the walls.

The class of 2021 begrudgingly follows his words and actions in the chant that will haunt the class’ memory forever.

“We’re making a purple stew. Thwick, Thwick. We’re making a purple stew. Purple tomatoes and purple potatoes, and we want you!”

Over the past few weeks, the class of 2021 has been in a program made to help incoming freshmen get to know the high school better. This program is called Owls Academy.

OWLS–which stands for Outstanding Ways of Learning to Succeed–was started by Dr. Rachel Montgomery and JoAnn Marty ten years ago. They will continue this program to help freshmen become more comfortable in their new environment. 

The “purple stew” chant has been a staple from science and Owls Academy teacher Tom Ford this summer.

Ford said, “I think we’re here to have fun and build community.  This group of freshman is willing to share enthusiasm and spirit.  Rock and roll.”

Teacher Jeff Stoffey has only good things to say about the program.

“It is a great opportunity for the teachers to get to know the freshmen. It’s also an opportunity for the students to understand what is expected at the high school and it shows them all of the opportunities that are available to them,” Stoffey said.  

His positive thoughts mirrored when asked about the class of 2021.

“So far, the freshmen have been great. Hopefully, they can keep up the Windsor Way during the next four years,” Stoffey said.      

Owls Academy also allows the freshmen students to have access to their schedules and lockers earlier than any other students. This allows some of the stress of moving to the high school to be released.

The students also get a taste of some of the classes.

Teacher Casey Willenbrock helps the students make Puppy Chow and introduce her Family and Consumer Science lab procedures to the class. Michael Sellman, the choir teacher, helps students take a deeper look into song lyrics.  Whitney Crabtree holds an IMPROV lesson and gets the class’ creative juices flowing by having them make skits on the spot.

The class also has had outside sources come to help them get a better understanding of community.  

Staff Sergeant Zachary Chand gets teamwork sparking with activities including a blind minefield where students were blindfolded and others helped them through a minefield of plastic mines. Another activity had four students on a pair of skis working to get from one end of the gym to another, then back again.

A CVS health worker also came and talked to the students about illegal prescription usage.

The class also went and viewed Wonder Women which students say was, “empowering” and “showing great endurance”.

One of the students, Lizzie Bauman, is happy that she is attending Owls Academy.

Bauman said, “The experience of being in the program will help me in the long run.”