Homecoming 2021 Celebrates the Collegiate School Community

Throughout the Homecoming Weekend, our Cougars brought the Collegiate spirit.
Collegiate School’s Homecoming Weekend is always a time of celebration, but after a year of no visitors on campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s gathering truly felt like a joyful reunion, one full of affection and community spirit. 

The fun began Thursday with the Legacy Luncheon, where Collegiate’s graduating classes of 1915-1969 came together on campus to share cherished memories of their time at Collegiate and to make new ones, too. The Luncheon included a choral presentation from the School’s 5th Grade Chorus, remarks from Head of School Penny Evins and Upper Schoolers, and a visit from students who surprised guests with a slideshow of photographs from the archives and traded stories with the alumni, bringing them closer to all the engaging activities happening on campus. 

“Our alumni play such an important role in our community,” Anne Gray Siebert, Director of Alumni Engagement, told those in attendance. “What a cherished moment this is to have each one of you here with us. It’s such a privilege to be on campus with so many people that love Collegiate.” 

That love was shown once again Friday morning at the School’s Homecoming Pep Rally. Dressed in Collegiate-themed costumes and guided by the music of the energetic Upper School Jazz Band, the entire student body, JK-12, took to Grover Jones Field to demonstrate their green-and-gold spirit. Their exuberant cheers were heard as a joyful ‘welcome home’ to alumni, family and friends. 

SCA Vice Co-Chairs Daisy Storey and Wyatt King, who led the event, entered with a choreographed performance as the spirit squad moved the crowd through various songs and cheers. “I have been looking forward to Homecoming all year and I’m so glad it’s finally here,” Wyatt told the crowd. 

Daisy and Wyatt recognized the spirit award winners, who are students from each division that are celebrated for their exceptional Cougar spirit. 

Varsity cross country, volleyball, tennis, field hockey and soccer teams then took over the end zone and each executed their own dances and skits to ebullient applause. The energy was particularly jubilant due to the recent LIS championship wins earned by varsity tennis and field hockey and soccer taking the Prep League. Volleyball would bring home the trophy later that night. Once the varsity football team took the stage, captains Owen Fallon, Donovan Williams, Harry Shaia and Hayden Rollison addressed the thunderous crowd.

Festivities for alumni continued throughout the day, with a 50th Reunion lunch held under the Homecoming tent for the classes of 1970 and 1971, the fall Parents’ Association meeting, the opening of an alumni art exhibit featuring the artwork of Erin Cross ’14, and the 37th annual Alumni Oyster Roast, which was held on Collegiate’s campus for the first time. 

Homecoming is an exciting time for our entire Cougar community, and that excitement was accentuated this year with the addition of a number of new events that took place before the Cougars took the field against local rival St. Christopher’s School. Alumni, friends, family and current students enjoyed events such as the Cougar Color Run, the Round Robins Tennis Tournament, a Community Picnic and a chance to observe Collegiate at new heights on the Stephen B. Adamson ’92 Ropes Course. Class Reunions held at venues throughout Richmond gave those celebrating reunion years even more opportunities to bond.
 
Head of School Penny Evins said the weekend was made special because of the terrific people that make up the Collegiate community. “Homecoming is just that — a chance to come home, back to Collegiate,” she said. “And this year really is more special because we’re able to gather together as a community.”

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