Written By: Maya Chachra

It’s that time of year again when excitement fills the halls and everyone is buzzing with school spirit. Fall is in full swing, and students are eager to cheer on their classmates at games, show off their Wildcat pride, and enjoy the perfect, crisp weather for football, soccer, and other fall sports. This season has already brought a surge of enthusiasm and creativity, thanks to the efforts of the spirit representatives and the return of beloved Rye Country Day School traditions. 

This year, Clare Keating ‘26 and Richie Morrow ‘26 are serving as the RCDS spirit reps, and they’ve done an incredible job energizing the community. Each week, they spotlight the “Game of the Week” during community meetings, hyping up the crowd and getting everyone excited to come out and support their classmates. The weekend of October 18 is especially exciting because it’s Wildcat Weekend—a celebration where every team’s game is highlighted. On top of that, it’s Spirit Week, which means there’s a new daily theme to bring the community together. Tuesday is Black and White Day, where odd and even grades face off in contrasting colors; Wednesday is Jersey Day; Thursday is Dress to Impress; and Friday is the favorite Blue and Gold Day, where everyone proudly shows off their school colors.

Keating and Morrow have also introduced new ways for students to get involved and celebrate our athletes’ achievements. Anyone can now send in highlight reels from last week’s games, giving our sports teams a well-deserved spotlight and helping to build excitement for the next matchups. So far, the featured “Games of the Week” have included football, soccer, and volleyball.From food trucks and music to fun giveaways and themed decorations, each game has had something special to make it stand out.  These creative touches have turned every game into more than just a competition; they’ve become community events filled with energy and pride.

Another exciting development is the possible return of Spirit Club, a tradition that once played a big role in boosting school pride at Rye Country Day. Keating and Morrow have been working hard to bring it back, hoping to give students another way to get involved and contribute to the fun atmosphere on campus. Morrow  explained that “the most important thing is student participation and excitement, so when more people are excited about games it brings everyone’s energy up and I think that’s a domino effect.” Reintroducing Spirit Club would be an amazing opportunity for anyone who wants to make a difference, connect with others, and help keep the Wildcat spirit alive throughout the year.

Keating said “It’s important that students go to games and cheer on teams, [and]the best way for students to get involved in spirit is to join the spirit club!” As we head deeper into the fall season, it’s clear that our community’s spirit is stronger than ever. Between the themed dress-up days, the packed stands at every game, and the creative efforts of our spirit reps, Rye Country Day is buzzing with energy. Whether you’re an athlete, fan, or just someone who loves being part of the community, there’s never been a better time to show your pride and be part of the excitement!