September 28, 2017
Homecoming was spectacular! Thank you to everyone who attended the festivities. Find professional photo from Saturday on campus here and photo booth moments here!
Senior Rachel Lindrud of “Freethinker,” MPA’s new student-run news source, covered the excitement of Homecoming Week …
Homecoming: A Time for Pride, Competition, and Dancing
by Rachel Lindrud
On Friday, September 22 through Saturday, September 23, Mounds Park Academy came together as an entire community for its annual and spirited Homecoming events. In the days leading up to the games and festivities, parents decorated the hallways and coordinated multiple events, while over the weekend, kids from all grades streamed to the fields and courts to cheer on their classmates, siblings, and mentors. MPA’s “Panther Pride,” an appellation referring to the school’s panther mascot, was uniquely demonstrated throughout the week in the forms of volunteer work, athletic skill, and blue and white pompoms. This event models not only MPA and its athletic accomplishments, but also its proactive parent, student, and teacher volunteerism and its dynamic community-building spirit.
On Friday, the day before the sporting events, MPA held its annual Homecoming Assembly, at which students and faculty of all grade levels came together to wish the athletes a final good luck and also take part in various competitive community-building events. Sylvia H. ’24, supported her sisters and enjoyed watching her friends and teachers compete with one another: “I supported Soccer and Volleyball because my sisters are on those teams. My favorite part of the assembly was watching the sports teams and teachers do relays.”
The athletes love to hear the constant support from the crowd both on and off the field. “I love hearing all the excitement before, during, and after the games. The extra fan support we get from the Assembly and during the games is awesome. It really shows how much school spirit MPA has,” says Girls Soccer player Abby Goodno ‘18.
While many schools’ Homecomings consist solely of sports and dances, MPA’s Homecoming appeals to a wider variety of tastes. After Friday’s sports practice, MPA hosted a barbecue in the school’s Benz Courtyard. The faculty grilled beef and veggie burgers, hotdogs, and an assortment of other sides and refreshments. Here, all MPA students, including those unassociated with athletics, came together to eat, mingle, and play games: “The food was really good. My favorite part of the barbecue was hanging out with and getting to know new people. I also really liked the overall vibe— it was really fun and chill,” said Carly Peacock ’20.
The excitement did not stop there, as during Saturday’s sporting events, MPA Staff and the Spirit Committee coordinated a Homecoming-gear booth, food truck, bouncy houses, and other games intended for all grade levels. “There were way more people at homecoming than in past years. The camaraderie was great. . . People from different sporting events were cheering each other on and the community was awesome,” said Karen Portis, an MPA parent. The extra effort put in was well-liked, as Eleanore ’23, puts it, “Homecoming was super fun! . . . The sports were good and the bouncy houses house was great!” It did not matter whether people were there to support their favorite teams or to hang out with their friends because MPA and countless volunteers made Homecoming 2017 the most all-around entertaining community event yet.
Saturday night from 8 to 11 pm, MPA hosted its annual Upper School Homecoming dance. This dance celebrated not only athletic victories, but also a well-deserved break from the academic rigor of the beginning of the school year. As per tradition, MPA sports teams coordinated their outfits at this year’s dance. Girls Tennis player Nicole Varela ’21, had an amazing time at her first high school dance: “The dance was really fun. I loved everyone’s energy.” Varela’s first impression, which is in line with most MPA students’ feelings toward the dance, is one that MPA hopes to build off of for future Homecoming dances.
