Fall means a lot of different things to a lot of people: the end of summer, the leaves turning red, sweater weather. For the students and faculty of Tabor Academy, however, what it means more than anything is that school is starting up again.
Even before classes begin, the campus is alive with students. International students, Global Partners (who help show new international students around), and Proctors arrive early to settle in and get preparations underway for the start of a new year. Pre-season athletes, too, arrive at Tabor first – a week before the rest of the students – to try out for teams and begin training together for the season. The students all keep busy, too, as each team practices twice a day. With JV and Varsity teams of girls’ and boys’ soccer, field hockey, football, and girls’ and boys’ cross-country, 192 of 516 Tabor students are pre-season athletes.
Sports are a big part of life at Tabor, and many dedicate much of their time and energy to their sports. Many feel that their experiences on Tabor sports teams are some of their favorite high school memories. Hannah Dawicki, one of the captains of the girls’ varsity soccer team, believes that the most special aspects of Tabor athletics are the coaches, who “provide that extra boost of confidence and fire that we need to win,” and her teammates, because “playing with such passionate girls is always fun.”
Dawicki has been on varsity soccer since her freshman year, and next year she is off to play soccer at St. John’s University, a Division 1 school. While the jump from playing sports in high school and college can be a big one, Dawicki says, “Tabor has prepared me for playing soccer in college because, by having played with older girls the past three years, I’ve learned that, as a player, it’s my job to work as hard as I can on and off the field and to put everything I have into my team.”
Her experience with Tabor sports is similar to that of many others. Whether the captain or a JV player who is trying it out for fun, many students find that teams at Tabor have a built-in sense of community and are full of dedicated and talented athletes. Fall teams enjoyed an excellent season last year, with many teams advancing to the final rounds of competition. This year, many teams hope for similar success as they welcome new athletes and welcome back returning team members.
With the new school year, there is much to look forward to. While some, like Dawicki, anticipate the start of their favorite sports season, others can’t wait to get back to their friends, their passions, or what they consider their second home. Seniors are bent on appreciating everything before they leave, knowing that all too soon their Tabor experience will be over. Nicole McLaughlin, a senior, says she is most excited to spend time with all her friends and finish strong.
“Tabor has provided me with opportunities that other schools aren’t able to,” said McLaughlin, “so I’m really going to miss that.” For many, McLaughlin added, Tabor is a place to explore your passions and try new things. Since transferring in her sophomore year, she has become captain of the dance team for fall and spring, as well as developed a strong love for ceramics.
McLaughlin’s story is not an uncommon one. Many students arrive at Tabor thinking that they are one thing – an athlete or an academic or an artist – only to try out something new and fall in love with it. Thomas Kelly, a senior, is also an avid ceramicist. He looks forward to this year so that he can get back to the studio and “progress his work from last year,” said Kelly.
“You have the freedom to take the skills you’ve learned and test them,” said Kelly. “It’s really fun to try out new techniques and learn from both the teachers and your peers.”
Many students had never had the chance to work so closely with clay and develop their passion for it, but every year more and more leave with a greater appreciation for the arts at Tabor.
The start of the new school year is always an adjustment. The Class of 2015 has graduated, and the Class of 2016 is left to step into their shoes, taking over leadership positions and assuming their role as the oldest students on campus. Meanwhile, a whole new freshman class enters the student body, as well as many new faculty members to replace the ones who retired or left for graduate school last year. Not only will there be quite a few new faces on campus, but the campus itself also has a new addition.
When students departed in June, Matsumura dorm was still just an idea, a framework and a construction site. Now, students will arrive to see a large, finished, and beautiful dorm.
Mr. Becker, the dorm parent in Matsumura this year, said, “Matsumura house has lots of great features which I think the guys are going to love.” The dorm is for upperclassmen boys and has water bottle filling stations on both floors and a kitchen that Mr. Becker anticipates will be “great for dorm parties or group study.”
In addition to this kitchen, there’s a quiet study room in which students are free to work. As an alternative to the current laundry room, there are washers and dryers in Matsumura, as well as a basement where students can store sports equipment.
According to Mr. Becker, “The architect, Will Saltonstall, wanted there to be a lot of natural light and, as a result, the building is very energy efficient and the many windows are great.”
As students return to the Tabor that they know and love, they’ll be greeted by a lot of familiar faces and places, as well as a few new ones. Almost immediately, they’ll have lots to do. New students settle in as returning students get back to work. The fields fill with athletes, the studios with artists, and the classes with students, all ready to take on a brand new year of everything Tabor has to offer.
By Madeleine Gregory
