The Athlete Alumnae Weekend, which took place on October 18-20, reunited athletes from the classes of 1977 to 2020. Approximately 150 alumnae and coaches gathered for team reunions, discussions with former coaches, and meetings with current student-athletes.
The event was organized by a planning committee led by Ms. Robin Chandler ’87, communications project manager. She said, “When we were doing the original planning for the 50th, we thought of doing three different mini-reunions per season. But then we realized that many of the alumnae were multisport athletes while they were here. It made more sense to do one big celebratory weekend. We chose this weekend because all of the athletic contests would be at home.”
The weekend opened on Friday evening with a welcome reception. On Saturday, alumnae participated in a variety of activities. In the morning, the school offered campus tours and a breathwork session by Heidi Peterson Horan ’08. Athletic Director Dempsey Quinn then joined Coco Sheronas ’26, Petal Hammam ’25, Eleanor Helm ’25, and Kaila Richards ’25 on a panel discussing athletics at the school.
In the afternoon, alumane could choose between a tennis clinic with Coach Edgar Giffenig P’12, ’15, ’18, a squash round robin with Coach Maja Clark P’28, and an introduction to frisbee golf class with Coach Dave Thompson P’27.
Amy Wheeler, executive director of Learning Courage, a nonprofit that works with independent schools to support healing from sexual misconduct and abuse, led a conversation between alumnae.
Alumnae were also invited to attend home games, including Girls Varsity and JV Soccer; Varsity & JV Cross Country; Girls Varsity, JV, & Thirds Volleyball; and Girls Varsity & JV Field Hockey, all against Choate. A tent was set up on the ’49 Fields with apple cider donuts from Great Cape Baking Company, based in Amenia, NY.
The day concluded with a dinner at Fairfield Farm.
Lucy Hall ’25, a member of the coeducation council who helped plan the event, said, “We scheduled tons of activities for the returning athletes to participate in, from tennis clinics to breathing workshops. Overall, the committee aimed to create a weekend of memories and honor their legacies.”
On Sunday, the school hosted a golf scramble with Coach Doug Kneeland ’98, a hike up Lions Head, and a self-guided walk to Fairfield Farm along the Larsen Trail through the woods.
Alumnae were invited to add their signatures to Marisin McLain’s ’25 art piece, “Dux Femina Facti: A Woman Was the Author of Achievement,” on display outside the English wing. In her artist statement, McLain wrote, “Made by layering signatures from the matriculation books of years past, the work represents our different identities coming together to create a cohesive image of one Hotchkiss.”
During the weekend, a new display was installed in the hallway of the Mars Athletic Center between the squash courts and the field house. The display celebrates the many accomplishments of alumnae athletes.
