Pretty much like every year, Homecoming Weekend at Colorado Academy kicked off on a spectacular early-fall Friday, when students and teachers came together at the end of the school day to cheer Gus, the Mustang mascot, and enjoy gathering as a Pre-K–Grade 12 CA community during the All-School Spirit Assembly.
But for 2023, a few key differences marked the occasion. Instead of being staged around CA’s baseball diamond, the kickoff happened on Stamper Commons, a central hub for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. And emceeing the festivities was CA’s new Athletic Director, Jon Hill, who emphasized, “We’re here together today to celebrate each other!”
Hill had arranged for every student, teacher, and staff member in attendance—a group more than 1,000-strong—to be wearing identical CA T-shirts reading “Together,” so it was a cheering crowd in matching CA red that hugged, high-fived, and applauded his words.
Hill also recognized Anne Storjohann, CA’s longtime Athletics Uniform and Concessions Coordinator, whose constant presence at campus events and competitions ensures Mustang spirit is always front and center.
In most all other ways, CA’s beloved Homecoming traditions remained intact for 2023. Music blared as an Upper School rock ensemble filled the Stamper quad with sound. C-Club members in hand-decorated overalls hyped up the audience, and Gus ran through the crowd waving the CA flag, to the delight of all. Students and teachers competed in relay races, with faculty in the spotlight as they downed creme pies in record time. And winning CA athletic teams were celebrated as they began the fall season of competition.
The festivities continued Saturday morning, with Lower Schoolers arriving early to decorate bikes to participate in the annual parade around the campus with Head of School Dr. Mike Davis.
Families then moved over to the Carnival booths staffed by eager Middle Schoolers, who loved handing out cotton candy, popcorn, and prizes to young visitors enjoying traditional games and activities like the ring toss, rubber-ducky fishing, face painting, and many more.
Meanwhile, families and alumni browsed the Harvest Market and Homecoming Bake Sale for sweet treats and other goodies offered by CA entrepreneurs, and all savored the lunchtime picnic fare served by Chef Paul Worley and his Sodexo Food Service team. It was the perfect celebration of a successful start to another great school year at Colorado Academy.