At Eaglebrook, tradition is an integral part of our community that has always been apparent in my two years on the Hill. Winter Carnival is a beloved tradition that began a long time ago, making it one of the oldest of its kind in the country. The 100th Winter Carnival will kick off on January 31st, offering a variety of contests, races, and winter sports for students and their families.
The winter spirit doesn’t take long to show itself. Students have started weeks before, building cardboard sleds right after vacation. Students put pride and hard work into the making of these sleds. They are then placed side by side, and the best-designed sleds get to race the famous “Eddy the Eagle” sled, which Mr. Andrew Chase ’73 will ride. Last year, we witnessed cardboard sleds resembling a piñata, a tank, and a minion. I am excited to see what will come up this year.
Festivities will begin on Friday, with parents and friends visiting their student’s classes on a fully-scheduled class day. Following that will be lunch, where the real fun will start, with the lighting of the large bonfire, snacks, and a collection of games. Dorms will compete with each other to get the most points in order to win the Winter Carnival Cup. Points are gained through the various games throughout the huge festival. Dorms will play in games such as the three-legged and Klondike races, which will be the day’s highlights. We are all wondering who will win the Cup this year; Halsted House has been victorious for the past several years. The night of the 31st will end in tranquility, with the Evening of the Arts performing at 6:45 pm.
On February 1, parents meet with teachers for parent-teacher conferences after the fun and games. Parents will then follow their children to sports, where they can watch the practices or games scheduled on that day. The students will be able to leave after sports for a well-deserved break to catch up with their parents. Students will return to Eaglebrook on February 3 before 8:00 pm to finish the winter term on a strong note.
