It was an overcast and blustery Fieldston Homecoming this year, with the remains of Hurricane Ian, which had razed parts of the Caribbean and Florida, threatening to make the day a washout. But the clouds held back for the greater good of The Nest, and despite the drizzle, all games were completed and many other festivities on campus carried on. Homecoming is exciting for most Eagles, but this year’s event was particularly special for one new and important leader of our community – new Head of School Joe Algrant. “It was a very different kind of homecoming, a special one,” he shared, “because I really feel like I have come home, after being away for 20 years but never forgetting or losing the spirit that makes Fieldston a very special place. And so I feel that being able to work here again is a gift, one that I hope I can repay by being a successful leader.”
Mr. Algrant recounted his activities at the event, beginning with the unveiling of the new reading dog statue by the library, congregating with alums from 1962, meeting with donors and catching up with more recent alumni who attended Fiedlston when he was teaching here. “It was so fun to see them, some with their children now at ECFS as well. And all that was before the games started. I loved watching the teams play and also meeting lots of parents. All in all the day was full of positive energy and enthusiasm. I also need to say that folks have made me and my family feel welcomed.”
Algrant appreciates the importance of school spirit, and stresses that it must show in many aspects of everyday school life, not only at Homecoming: “I actually measure school success and health by the amount of spirit it has. The homecoming spirit I saw was terrific. It’s much like I remember from the ‘old days’ even if it takes a little bit of a different shape. But it’s all fun and hopefully makes people feel good about their school. I measure school spirit in lots of ways though, sports and pep rallies of course, and also by the excitement about lots of activities: arts and music, service, even classes, and the creativity and energy of students.”
Sophomore Lily Saal, a star of the Eagles Field Hockey team, definitely noticed and appreciated the energy of students in attendance on Homecoming: “Homecoming is very special. You can feel the energy the minute you walk on the field. Field hockey isn’t exactly sold out on a Monday afternoon. But on Homecoming, the field is packed and the bleachers are roaring. In the game, I am very much in a bubble. I can’t hear the crowd. But during a break, or a whistle I can definitely hear them. My mom, dad, and sister came to the game, and seeing them there was very centering to me. Having their support and the whole school’s support during that game was really special and definitely contributed to the win.”
Saal adds that the electricity of the fans actually makes the home team play better, increasing the chance of a victory: “I think homecoming raises everyone’s game and makes the team gel really well,” she said. “There’s so much emotion on the field it’s almost tangible. The 50/50 balls come up our way and with each play, people fight like never before. I really respect my teammates because I know we left it all on the field.”
The Eagles Field Hockey team beat Masters 2-1 that day in a close game where the crowd had a big impact. Coach Diane Toth expects a high level of intensity and effort from every player in every game, but she notes that “playing in front of a large homecoming crowd, that certainly adds excitement and does have a special meaning. I think for seniors the tradition of this game is meaningful and emotional.”
Senior soccer captain and UChicago commit Jedd Horowitz also spoke about how much Homecoming games mean to him: “It is awesome to contribute to homecoming’s celebration of Fieldston by securing a win and putting on a performance. My family and friends, and those of my teammates, have played such a large role in supporting us to reach that winning moment, so to share that victory with them is extra special.”
Eagles Soccer had a tough opponent on Homecoming: Hackley was the only undefeated team remaining in their league. But Horowitz was confident: “I expected a win that day. The training and mindset leading up to that game was where it needed to be. Heading into a match against the only undefeated team in our league was objectively intimidating, but to us, it was an opportunity for us to prove how good we really were. We had lost some games that we felt like we should have won, so we knew we deserved a win and brought all the energy and focus to make that happen.”
Everywhere around you on Homecoming you could see and hear signs of healthy spirit on campus, from the crowds of students and alumni, to parents sporting Eagles merch, to the orange and blue balloons, to the senior banners, to the sweet sounds of the percussion band and so much more, The Nest was alive with excitement and the promise of a joyful year ahead.
