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Each year we ask our graduating seniors, what's the one thing they would never change about Bryn Mawr? The most frequent response: Gym Drill.

So, what is it?

Gym Drill can be seen as two things: It is a historical recognition that girls are strong and can exercise just like boys, and today, more than ever, it is a celebration of students and community through cultural dance and exercise.

The event dates back to the 1890s and in those earlier days, students would march around the gymnasium, perform dances and execute routines on gymnastic equipment such as the parallel bars. Parents would often gasp with excitement as they watched their daughters demonstrate their skills. Remember, in that time period, many people believed girls shouldn't exercise! But, Bryn Mawr knew differently and wanted to showcase what girls could do.

Fast forward more than a century later and while much has changed, some things are still the same. The entire Bryn Mawr community-alumnae, students, families, and teachers-gathers on the turf field on the first Saturday in May to watch Gym Drill. Together, Middle and Upper School students perform some of the very same moves and exercises as the original routine, then each class performs a cultural dance they've learned from around the world.

Other highlights of the day include a traditional Maypole dance by third graders, passing of class banners to mark the completion of a grade, seniors running down the field hand-in-hand to receive awards and the graduating class being showered with daisies as they leave the field. Gym Drill usually ends in lots of hugs, smiles and happy tears.

What started as a demonstration of exercises and physical education has become a fun way to celebrate together and connect current students to the thousands of Bryn Mawr women who came before them.