Founders Day and Homecoming

What a great spirit week — from pajama day to lots of bright colors, Tower Hill spirit is alive and well. Our students have been decking the school out in our school colors, and there are green and white jelly beans galore as we prepare to "welcome home" alumni from across the decades. A special welcome back to the Class of 1966 celebrating its 50th reunion and the Class of 1991 with its 25th Reunion. It's hard to believe that one day our children will be returning for these milestones! 

 

In Upper School Assembly, Mr. Soren Kjaergaard '71, an AFS student from Denmark and back to join his classmates for Homecoming, talked with our students about the impact a year at Tower Hill made in his life. He shared stories about his time at Tower Hill, including the sticky buns made by Ms. Marie, which apparently caused as much excitement in the dining hall as does the frozen yogurt our students enjoy today! 

 

He encouraged our students to be curious and expose themselves to another culture at some point in their lives. His son, who is a junior at a school in Denmark and here for Homecoming weekend with his father, spoke and showed slides of his school. He shared that the driving age in Denmark is 18, to which our Upper School students seemed slightly shocked, until he told them that the drinking age is 16 and that students are allowed to drink in school after the academic day. Oh my... the exchange we were exploring with this school in Denmark suddenly seemed that much more popular with our students and a bit more dubious to a particular Head of School, as there are surely some cultural differences that are interesting to learn about from afar!  

 

This morning we will gather for our all school Founders’ Day Assembly, celebrating Hiller History and singing the alma mater. Founders' Day is a new tradition, started last year at the Installation of Tower Hill's 10th Head of School. It takes place the day before Homecoming and is a celebration and recognition of Tower Hill history and the legacy of our founders. Our faculty and students have a few surprises planned, and parents are welcome to attend; Founders Day will begin at 10 a.m. In Weaver Gym.

 

Traditions such as these not only celebrate our past, but help our students understand that they are indeed part of a strong Tower Hill family and that one day, they too will return for Homecoming. This weekend, alumni from around the country and the world will "come home" to campus to celebrate lifelong friendships that began at Tower Hill, as well as to reconnect with admired teachers and mentors. Our school was founded by individuals committed to educational excellence in the city of Wilmington. You can read more about Tower Hill’s history in Forever Green. Happy Founders Day and Homecoming to all.