From Hillary Gruce

Alumni Board President

When I think of traditions at Cannon, some of the first things that come to mind are the class trips we took at the beginning of each year in Upper School. The freshman beach trip, college tours, Boston trip, and the senior retreat hold many memories for me. Not only were they a way to take our learning beyond the classroom, but they allowed us to build and strengthen lasting relationships with friends and classmates.

The beach trip laid the foundation with team building exercises and encouraged us to come together as a class. The late-night conversations in the girls’ dorm on the college trip deepened connections and continue to be brought up fondly to this day (#iykyk). In Boston, I remember hanging out around Walden Pond, visiting Fenway Park, and touring the Salem Courthouse. On our flight home, the whole group made friends with Lynn, a business traveler seated near us.

The senior retreat allowed a moment of reflection as we began our last year of Upper School. In between planning our senior year and playing cards, the entire class put on an impromptu talent show one night showcasing our unique abilities.

All of these trips provided the opportunity to grow relationships—even just sitting next to a friend on the charter bus (or flight!), chatting with the people around you, and checking out the new songs someone downloaded on their iPod.

Although the days of annual class trips are behind us, our alumni gatherings have become a new version of this tradition. Whether an official class reunion or a trip arranged among friends, these events bring us together again to connect and reflect on years past and future. And though it’s hard to believe so much time has passed since graduating from Cannon, I look forward to seeing fellow classmates next year for our fifteen-year reunion!

#CougarsInTheFront

Sincerely,

Hillary Gruce Alumni Board President

Senior Sleepover & Sunrise

The Class of ’22 Starts a Tradition that Brings New Meaning to the Words “Rise & Shine”

by Maddie Reiss ’22

During my seven years at Cannon School, I was more-than-occasionally accused of being overly spontaneous and had, what some may call, “harebrained ideas.” This is the story of how one of those crazy schemes, the “Senior Sleepover & Sunrise,” actually came to fruition.

At the end of my senior year, student council (big shoutout to Olivia Varghese and Ben Childress) planned Cannon’s first ever Senior Sunrise, in which our grade would get to school around 6:00 a.m. on the last day of classes and watch the sunrise over Randy Marion Field. The idea was popular among my classmates; however, I didn’t particularly love the concept of waking up at 4:00 a.m. to get there in time.

On our whole-grade group chat, I made a half-joke saying we should sleep on the football field the night before the sunrise. This way, no one would have to wake up early. A great idea in theory, however; I assumed the school would never approve of it. A large majority of the class agreed that the idea was great, and maybe we should just sleep on the field and ask for forgiveness the next day, rather than permission.

We quickly became aware that we gravely underestimated Dean Booker’s ears—I believe he found out about our plan maybe two minutes into planning. We received an e-mail about the potential dangers of this without adult supervision…but at the end of the e-mail, Booker said he would see what he could do.

To our surprise, Dean Booker was able to convince all the other deans to make Senior Sleepover a tradition, since it would be unfair for only our class to partake. He got a head count of everyone going, which was over sixty students. Then the fun began.

The Class of ’22 spent the entire night playing duck duck goose, football, Frisbee, competing in 40-meter dashes, and listening to “Where’d All the Time Go” by Dr. Dog, all while gazing at the stars. Mr. West, one of the senior advisors, came to visit and we chased his dog around for over an hour. And Dean Booker stayed up the entire night to ensure our safety, coming down to visit us occasionally with a Monster Energy, fully decked out in a camouflage ensemble. Our entire grade will always be thankful to Booker for making this sacrifice, among many others he made for our class.

Looking back, I realize that although most of us were eighteen years old—legally adults—it felt like our last night being a child. We went to bed in sleeping bags on the same turf we had watched and played games for the last thirteen years. We woke up the next morning to a (frankly subpar) sunrise, soaking wet because it rained while we were asleep, and to dead phones. Half of us discovered we didn’t even bring a backpack to school. Nevertheless, I think we all believe the memories were well worth it, and we cherish that time together. It could not have been a more perfect end to our years at Cannon. I believe I speak for the entire Class of 2022 when I say—we are grateful.

Established in 2019, the Cannon School Athletic Hall of Fame was created in partnership with Cannon School’s Office of Alumni Relations and Athletic Department to honor athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors who have excelled both on and off the field.

Every two years, nominations are received and selection is made by the Cannon School Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Once presented as an eligible nominee, candidates will remain in consideration for three induction cycles.

Special Thanks To Our Hall Of Fame Selection Committee

We are grateful to the members of our Selection Committee whose thoughtful deliberations selected this distinctive and deserving group.

NON-VOTING MEMBERS

Sarah Sooklal, Alumni & Alumni Parent Relations Manager

Todd Hartung, Director of Advancement

Voting Members

Shawn Powell, Director of Sports Performance

Steve Schattner, Boys Varsity Lacrosse Program Director

Fabio Hurtado, Head of Upper School

Carla Moyer, Head of Middle School

Danny Scurlock, Upper School Math Department Chair

Joe Trojan, Upper School Dean of Students

Mary Dudley Tramazzo ’05, Athletic Hall of Fame Member

On December 9, we welcomed alumni, faculty, and friends to celebrate our newest inductees into the Cannon School Athletic Hall of Fame. Inductees and their families enjoyed a seated dinner followed by the induction and celebration of the athletes and contributor.

Leigh

Jena

Will

Carla

John