On September 6, 1990, twenty-three pioneering students entered Gilman’s brand new pre-first in the renovated Gilman cottage. Long-time teachers Diane Rogers and Dia Matthews led the new grade, which Gilman created as a transitional year before students entered first grade at Gilman. 

Thirty years later, the pre-first class, now called prep-one, is still going strong. One of the best-known traditions of prep-one is the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Tango. Teacher Cheri McElroy first taught the Turkey Tango in 2001, and it’s been a highlight of the all-school Thanksgiving Convocation since 2003. In 2016, the 13-year men even joined the prep-one students for an encore performance! 

In addition to the Turkey Tango, graduates for pre-first/prep-one will remember other annual traditions including the senior - prep-one luncheon, and the favorites foods made over the years, including monkey bread, applesauce, nachos, and dirt dessert!