We gathered in the Field House Commons on a rainy Thursday morning for our final day of IL 2024, grateful that the weather held throughout the week for our time in the Pines. While some groups captured additional film footage around campus, others spent a relaxing – and competitive – time with Ms. Thomson’s famous homemade crumb cake (yum!) and spirited rounds of Racko, Scattergories, SushiGo, and “foam-soccer-ball-ping-pong.” The drab weather set the perfect tone for a viewing of The X Files’ Jersey Devil episode, which served as inspiration to edit and compose our final film cuts for an afternoon viewing party. Special thanks to Ms. Day for her support as our groups pored over their footage in the computer lab!
After lunch, our film festival began where Drew was the popcorn master! Each group proudly presented short comedies themed around Jersey Devil lore, which provided hearty laughs and an impressive display of creativity. Each film featured the natural setting and mystique of the Pine Barrens, paying homage to our week of exploration. As spring break approached, we spent valuable time reflecting upon our experiences and signing notes of gratitude for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance staff members who dedicated time with us throughout the week — special shout-out to London for her incredible thank-you card designs! When the day’s end arrived, we departed for the break with newfound knowledge and appreciation for a vast and treasured ecosystem.
