Cougar Pride Day 2021 Unfolded with New Records

Campus was buzzing with excitement on Cougar Pride Day as the Collegiate School community — a community that extends well beyond our campus on Mooreland Road — watched as donations came in, gifts were matched and challenges were met on the fourth annual day of giving. 

Staff in the Development Office, waving bright green and gold foam Cougar paws, welcomed parent and alumni volunteers throughout the day, encouraging even more donations. Gifts to the annual fund support all aspects of a Collegiate education — including academics, athletics, arts, financial assistance, technology, faculty professional development and so much more. Support took on a special significance this year due to COVID.

Volunteers such as Mark Stepanian ’89, Trustee and Development Committee Chair, came in to assist with the outreach efforts. Staff and volunteers spread Cougar Pride at carpool and made phone calls reaching out to parents and alumni to encourage participation. Friends and classmates encouraged each other in competition to win various challenges. Matching gifts spurred further giving. “The support of our community just proves that Cougars can do anything we put our minds to,” Stepanian said.

“Yes!” one Cougar staff member shouted around 11:15, minutes after the lunchtime challenge began. “We just matched our lunchtime challenge in record time. Our donors are making this event so much fun.” 

Then, around two o’clock: “600! We’re at 600!” 

And then, two hours later, we reached 700 donors to unlock our leadership challenge of $100,000.

And people continued to share, and share. 

Throughout the day, Cougars across the country engaged with the School and each other on social media. Children smiled for photos and videos to inspire further momentum and show their appreciation. Enthusiastic community members shared their support using Instagram stickers, videos and posts from Collegiate’s social channels, as well as their own original content. “Let’s show our Cougar pride,” Sarah Martin ’94, a current parent, said in her video. “Let’s show how much we appreciate what the teachers and the School have been doing for our students this year.”

In a further demonstration of gratitude, 42 people gave in the amount of $309, the number that represents every teacher at Collegiate. After learning of Cougar Pride Day, our youngest donor, a First Grader, decided to give $5 in honor of a teacher. In total, we reached record participation with 950 donors and $330,000 raised.

Cougar Pride Day was more than a day of giving, it truly was a day of sharing Cougar Pride. “Thank you to all the Cougars across the generations who helped us have tremendous success,” Penny Evins, Head of School, said. “Your support helps benefit all aspects of our incredible Collegiate experience.”