Homecoming Returns To Campus

On Saturday, October 9th, the traditions of Homecoming Day returned to campus with great fanfare. It represented a rebirth of the school's annual celebration of Lion Pride and an opportunity for parents, guardians and other family members of student athletes to come to campus, some for the first time in 18 months.

Due to the need to protect the health and wellbeing of the current student body, the school was compelled to limit the event to current students in Grades 7 through 12, HM employees, and their families. HM students under 12 were also permitted if a sibling was playing in a Homecoming athletic contest. Everyone in attendance was required to show proof of vaccination.

Homecoming activities started on Friday, October 8^th with an Upper Division pep rally on Alumni Field featuring the HM Spirit Squad and the introduction of the fall athletic teams. Students and faculty, administrators, and staff in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Divisions sported "Mann Made'" T-shirts in honor of this year's Homecoming theme, "We are Mann Made!"

The next day, athletics contests were held from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Students, employees, and their families cheered for field hockey, football, boys and girls soccer, water polo, and girls tennis. HM's varsity cross country teams participated in the Manhattan College Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park. Volunteers from the Horace Mann Parents Association (HMPA) and members of the Alumni and Development Office staffed entry points and welcome tables at five different locations, checking visitors for proof of vaccination and compliance with other pandemic protocols.

A big part of the Homecoming experience for members of every senior class is the opportunity to play in front of former teammates and friends from older classes who have moved on to college and other pursuits. HM therefore extended a Homecoming invitation to recent graduates from the Classes of 2018 through 2021, provided they, too, complied with HM's COVID-19 rules. Alumni and other HM community members were treated to a "virtual" Homecoming program featuring livestreamed athletic events, virtual gatherings for alumni, a live online yoga class courtesy of HM parent Shari Brooks, and two alumni panel discussions.

Under the tent on Alumni Field, participants in the school's robust Robotics program demonstrated robots they created for regional and international competitions. The HM Archive on the lower level of Tillinghast Hall was open for visitors to view a special exhibit focusing on the era of the Horace Mann School Class of 1971, in honor of its 50th Anniversary. Homecoming attendees were also invited to enjoy a delicious barbecue meal prepared by HM's FLIK catering service.

"We so enjoyed bringing members of the HM community back to campus, in compliance, of course, with our strict COVID-19 protocols," said Head of School Dr. Tom Kelly. "Thanks to our community's commitment to following the HM Promise and protecting each other's health and safety, we were able to bring Homecoming back this year, albeit in an abbreviated form. We believe it's essential for our students and student athletes, who work so hard all year, to have this moment. I greatly appreciate the work that so many put into making the day possible. We had a truly wonderful day!"