Panthers and Jaguars Reinvigorate Tradition of Inter-School Squads

With the advent of inter-school squads, "the entire spirit of school life has changed," reported The Lamp in the mid-1930s. Nearly 100 years later, the tradition and spirit of this beloved Winsor remains.

Records of “inter-class” sports competitions at Winsor go back as far as 1915 with individual teams taking on names such as “Reds,” “Whites,” “Blues,” among others. These inter-class rivalries were eventually replaced in 1935 in favor of two teams: "Fifes" and "Drums.” When squads were first reimagined, as reported in The Lamp, it had “every one, regardless of classes, united in common enthusiasm for her team.” Students kept their team identity throughout their Winsor years, incoming siblings affiliated with their older sibling's team, and, as years went on, children followed in their parents’ footsteps. 

By the 1980s, Fifes and Drums competitions became mainly a Lower School activity, and eventually a more casual activity. Disinterest also coincided with an increase in athletic competition with other schools and the formation of the Eastern Independent League (EIL) athletic conference in the 1990s. The dramatic change in athletic competition and access for girls allowed students to focus on sports in a different way, coming together as Winsor Wildcats against other regional schools. Coupled with the emergence of clubs such as Students Advocating School Spirit (SASS), inter-school squads paused while overall Winsor school spirit rose.

During the 2021–2022 school year, SASS leaders, in partnership with the Head of School, worked to revive the inter-school squad competition. The students, understanding the importance of athletics to the current student body, and uniting under the shared Wildcat identity, recommended the relaunch of inter-school squads as “Panthers” and “Jaguars.”

Senior SASS leaders unveiled the reimagined inter-school squads to faculty, staff, and fellow students during an all-school Assembly in April 2022. Hiding stickers in students’ lockers and faculty and staff mailboxes, there was much excitement as everyone discovered their house assignment. Winsor alumnae were included in the reinvigorated tradition, which was announced at 2022 Alumnae Weekend in May—Fifes join the Panthers while Drums join the Jaguars. On Field Day in June, students donned custom Panther or Jaguar shirts and competed for points in games such as limbo, spike ball, and a three-legged race, all to win points toward the house cup, which was presented at the end-of-year Awards Celebration. 

In the years ahead, the inter-school squad competition will be managed by SASS. The squads can earn points throughout the year by attending sporting events, plays, and concerts as well as through organized competitions during Sibling Squads, advisory, and homeroom. In the lead up to Under the Lights, students will bring their creativity to daily costumes for Spirit Week for a chance to earn points for best costumes. To close out the year, the Panthers and Jaguars will have one final chance to earn points and claim the house cup during Field Day. 

Who will take home the house cup? Only time will tell.