Last week, we set out to bring back some of our most beloved traditions, including Country Fair, Alumni Reunion, Founders Day, and a Lovefeast in Central Moravian Church.

We have longed for these events for over a year. Having these experiences again created yet another milestone in the life of our school. It was also a week that our varsity teams returned to the Colonial League and District playoffs, and our middle school soccer teams played each other. I will always remember this as the first week that I truly experienced the fullness of our student life experience as a new, larger school. It is a week, especially combined with the return of Halloween parades and trunk-or-treats, that I want to remember for years to come.

Our school also set out to try things we’ve never done before, like hosting a giant, outdoor, live music concert, featuring 6 student groups and 3 professional bands performing on the same stage. Friday’s Limitless concert brought over 850 people to Steelstacks and showed us that our community loves being together. This was the first chance for us to gather in celebration as a newly configured school. It was inspiring to see so many people enjoying music together - or, in the case of the youngest students, simply running and playing - in front of the beautiful Steelstacks, which were illuminated in school colors. As the night went on, and alumni and students and parents and faculty mixed together, I saw people finding new connections across our campuses and also people reconnecting with ideas and memories from throughout our school’s long history.

This was the first chance for us to gather in celebration as a newly configured school. It was inspiring to see so many people enjoying music together - or, in the case of the youngest students, simply running and playing - in front of the beautiful Steelstacks, which were illuminated in red and gold. As the night went on, I saw people finding new connections across our campuses and also people reconnecting with ideas and memories throughout our school’s long history.

True to tradition, these events were made possible by many hands working together. So many faculty, staff, and parents contributed to the success of these events by organizing and coordinating hundreds of details required to throw events of these magnitudes, helping students prepare their performances and keeping them safe during the events, and encouraging and championing our community throughout the weekend.

Please join me in thanking and congratulating the groups that led these big initiatives:

• The Limitless Steering Committee: Jenn Anderson, Tom DiGiovanni, Nate Diehl, Darah Donaher, Rich Fanning, Megan Franzychen, Alyssa Goldberg, Sue Jali, Fatima Jaffer, Nancy Monestime-Williams, Chase Morisson, Kate Pistone, Rob Riker, Lisa Suppan, Ben Wallace, Armistead Webster, and Christine Wetzel

• Our amazing student emcees for the Limitless Concert: Olivia Crane '22, Favor Ufondu '22, and Mona Ziabari '22.

• The Country Fair Chairs, Kim Krupka and Lea Iorio, and the entire Parents Association leadership: Kasie Seymour, Nancy Monestime-Wiilliams,  Carlisle Krakowski, and Robyn Brands, as well as all the class parents and volunteer committees.

• The Alumni Association leadership especially Karalynne Parzych '07 and the countless alumni volunteers.

• The Founders Day speakers at Swain: Betsy Schamberger (8th Grade parent) and Parker McClary (8th Grade student).

• To Rev. Jennifer Nichols for leading our first Family Lovefeast back in Central Moravian Church and to Ian Gutgold, alumnus and Merle-Smith faculty member, for delivering the meditation. 

Let us also thank our incredibly dedicated Advancement Team of Bob Zaiser, Susan Parent, Jess McPherson, and Grace Young, for leading the charge. They work around the clock and often behind the scenes to make these special community events a reality. Their vision to see what could be and their resolve to make it happen were truly amazing. 

And thank you to all of you who joined these events and helped us celebrate our beloved traditions and helped us mark new beginnings!