Alumni Day 2017

Winter Alumni Day gave Thacher alumni and their families an opportunity to kick off 2017 with a bang. In this case some of the bang came from thunder as long-awaited winter weather met us with showers in the morning, turning into partly cloudy skies by 11 a.m. A little rain couldn't keep Thacher trapshooters (more bang) and riders away, though, with trapshooting opening up as soon as the rain let up and our first ride starting in the mist.

 

During breaks in the rain, alumni, faculty, and friends enjoyed conversation, ping pong, pool, and foosball competition in the Commons, and a fireside chat and coffee in the Thacher Room.

Thacher’s annual alumni soccer match resulted in a Boys’ Varsity victory over alumni 2-1, with intense slips and slides in the fresh mud. In another spirited contest, a hardy pack of alumni outlasted the Thacher Boys' Varsity Basketball team. The game was a back and forth affair until the alumni cemented a win at the end with a couple of clutch baskets. Both teams played with the passion of a rivalry game, but in the end, it was hugs all around for each player in the Toad family.

Back at the Twin Peaks Trap Range, students and alumni joined together for some light competition led by range masters Steve Kanaly (father of Quinn CdeP 1996 and Evan CdeP 1999) and Chris Van Son (father of Sarah CdeP 2015 and Toto CdeP 2016). At 24/25 Michael Finch CdeP 2016 came close to beating out Brooks Walker '19 who came in at 25/25, after several weeks of shooting 24s. When they'd had enough of the rain, alumni and their families came indoors for rock-climbing and yoga.

Dinner at the Head of School’s home allowed our seniors and alumni to relax for the rest of the evening and watch the next storm (and lightning) come in. It was a perfect way to end a drizzly day by gathering for dinner with Michael and Joy and enjoy freshly baked cookies. Following cozy chat and banter about scores and wins throughout the day, the evening ended with an incredible dessert bar and many laughs.

Gratitude for the day goes out to the Bon Appétit crew, the Gun Club, the (tireless) Buildings and Grounds Department, Joy and Michael Mulligan, the Alumni and Development Office, the Horse Department and their legion of student helpers, our esteemed yoga and rock-climbing teachers, the varsity soccer and basketball teams and their coaches, and everyone who joined the festivities.

Put next year’s date, January 6, on your calendar and come back to Casa de Piedra... and with a bit of luck we’ll have sun!

“It was so much fun to see my friends and be welcomed back into such a loving an open community.” Avery Bearden CdeP 2016