Three Decades of Under the Lights

A beloved Winsor tradition for over three decades, Under the Lights brings current and former faculty, students, alums, and parents to campus for a Friday-night celebration of Winsor community. The gathered crowds cheered on the mid, JV, and varsity soccer, field hockey, and volleyball teams as they competed in 11 contests with area schools. Hundreds of people joined the fun on October 17 with a large contingent of alums and their families on campus. Later in the weekend, 250+ supporters gathered on the dock at the Winsor Belmont Hill Boat House to root for the Winsor crew at the Head of the Charles Regatta. 

Held October 14–17, Spirit Week is the annual harbinger of Under the Lights. One student club in particular, SASS—Students Advocating School Spirit, is responsible for the themes associated with each school day. 

Creativity was on display for the play on words “Hang up the homophone” where students displayed remarkable ingenuity with costumes such as “cereal killer” and “Chapel Roan,” the latter of which involved a student dressed as Grammy-nominated American singer Chappell Roan while carrying around a model of a chapel. English Faculty Samantha Simpson won an award for her version of “hare/hair,” which involved a pink wig and bunny ears.

Later in the week and representing their school team, jaguars were invited to dress “out of this world” while panthers were invited to find inspiration “lost at sea.” Students attended class dressed as captains, sea creatures, extraterrestrials, and spaceships. But it was Performing Arts Faculty and Theater Director Jeremy Johnson who took top prize with his ornamented and bewigged pirate complete with twirly mustache and stockings.

On throwback Thursday costumes spanned the centuries. A group of Class I students dressed as 90s boy band sensation the Backstreet Boys while the History Department transported their classes to ancient Rome with their “et tu, Brute?” ensembles. 

Of course the most popular day of all is Red Day. Faculty, staff, and students dress in a veritable sea of red tulle, boas, leggings, headbands, and face paint for the occasion which culminates in the all-school pep rally in the Brock-Wilson Gymnasium.

Judging this year’s class cheer competition at the pep rally were Visual Arts Faculty Mia Rosenblatt, History Faculty Michael Mirelman, History Faculty Amy Lieberman, and Science Department Head Theresa Evenson. 

“Class I has got the vibe” shouted the littlest Wildcats, who were heralded by the judges as “not our tallest grade, but the grade that packs the biggest punch.” Stomp routines featured prominently this year with Class II as the first to show off their moves. Class III won the award for “most creative and ‘legit’” while Class IV received the award for “fanciest footwork, most in sync, and on time.” Class IV’s call and response routine set the bar high and had the whole gym cheering. In the Upper School, students may add background music to their dance and cheer routines. Music from artists like Bruno Mars, Brittney Spears, Black Eyed Peas, LMFAO, and others pumped through the gym. Ultimately it was the seniors, the Class of 2026, who won the cheer competition.

At the end of the pep rally, Upper School Illumina sang the national anthem. Afterward everyone filtered outside to enjoy the perfect weather and cheer on the Wildcats. The Winsor Parents’ Association made the atmosphere particularly festive with decorations and spirit tables stocked with red heart sunglasses, foam fingers, and red beads. The PA, in collaboration with the Students Association of Fine Arts club, staffed activity tables with face painting, tote bag decorating, bracelet making, and even a photobooth. Onlookers watched games and noshed on a cozy fall menu of pretzels, hot dogs, and chili. For something sweet, cinnamon sugar donut holes, apple cider, and a hot chocolate bar hit the spot.

To close out the weekend, on Sunday, October 19, Winsor crew took to the water with three boats racing in the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta, the largest rowing competition in the world. For the second time, 19 athletes competed for Winsor across three categories—the Womens Youth 4+, Womens Under 17 4+, and Womens Youth 8+. They walked away with fantastic results managing to requalify two boats for next year, and had a blast on the dock with amazing support from families, friends, and alums.