On Homecoming day, juniors and seniors compete in turnabout. Traditionally, turnabout consists of junior girls playing against senior girls in flag football and junior and senior boys competing against one another in volleyball.
Leading up to Homecoming on Sep. 27, there have already been multiple practices to prepare for the games throughout August and September. Junior Nia Harrison says that their practices for both volleyball and football are off to a good start.
“So far, we have gone over plays and basic flag football skills,” Harrison said.
Since this is the junior class’s first time competing, maintaining team spirit is a large part of their training.
“It takes a lot of teamwork, everyone from every sport is coming together to beat the seniors,” Harrison said.
Junior Alexis Pavin says she is confident about what they have been able to learn so far.
“It will be really fun to participate,” Pavin said. “We all prepared and now get to show off the skills we learned in our practices.”
This will be the senior class’s second and final turnabout.
“[Turnabout] brings us closer together,” senior Claire Koehler said. “The people who play on our team are not necessarily one big friend group. It is a lot of people from a bunch of different friend groups, but by playing as a team it brings us closer together.”
There are many new additions to the senior teams this year who did not have the chance to play junior year.
“I did not play junior year, so I am really excited to play turnabout my senior year,” senior Samantha Aidala said. “Obviously, we want to beat the juniors, but more than anything else, it is a really fun experience.”
Upperclassman of any skill level are welcome to join the team.
“There are people with all different levels of athleticism, you do not have to be super athletic to participate, which is something I enjoy,” Aidala said.
Additionally, upperclassmen prepare by ordering custom tank tops they wear to compete in the games as well as through the Friday of Homecoming week.
“Since I was a freshman, I have looked forward to putting my nickname on the back of the tank top,” Harrison said.
The turnabout games are on the Friday of Homecoming week, and regarded as the most anticipated event of the Upper School competitions throughout the week according to the students.
“[Turnabout] is important because it has been a tradition for such a long time and it is really fun to see the rivalry of the two oldest grades,” Aidala said.
