A sea of blue and gold flooded the King School campus for the first time in two years to celebrate Homecoming 2021. 

“I hope that you are as excited as I am for this wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate our Viking pride!” said Head of School Carol Maoz. “I am excited to welcome families and meet King alumni during my first Homecoming at this wonderful school,” she added.

The annual event brings together the entire Viking community to celebrate the school’s rich history, enjoy athletic competition and give back. Photos of Homecoming 2021 are available here. 

“Homecoming is really the biggest community-wide event that the school has, and it is the best of King and the best of the community,” said Parents’ Association President Sandy Burgoyne P’27. “From PreK to twelfth grade, from alums to parents, grandparents, and even dogs! Everybody comes to Homecoming; it’s the biggest sense of community!” Burgoyne added. 

The weekend kicked off on Friday, October 22, with a pep rally. Students, faculty, and staff cheered for the upper school athletic teams as athletes ran through an arch formed by the team captains and high-fived those surrounding them. Each team and the Lower School Spirit Squad performed dance routines or cheers and fueled school spirit with colorful outfits, pom poms, and banners. “I’m a little nervous,” said second grade student Serafina Gambino, right before the event. “I don’t like dancing by myself, but I do like it when I am with my friends.” 

Saturday was a fun-packed day for King families that included a petting zoo, giant inflatable slides, bounce houses, lawn games, and more! The littlest Vikings enjoyed caricaturists, balloon artists, petting the llamas, and dancing to a live DJ in the lower school courtyard.

The festivities also included a signage dedication for the Feinberg Family Field and Armstrong and King Family Fields recognizing all donors who generously contributed to the newly turfed middle fields complex. “Your gift has made a tremendous difference in the lives of our student-athletes and positively impacted King School. The entire King community thanks you for your generosity and support,” said Interim Director of Development Christy Burkart.

This is now a centerpiece of the campus,” said Dean of Athletics Micah Hauben. “Something to really be proud of,” Hauben added as he thanked the families who made the fields possible and introduced two upper school student-athletes who directly benefit from the new fields.

“I have been able to make some of my best memories playing softball and soccer on the middle turf,” said Emmi Freeman ’22, captain of the soccer and softball teams, as she reflected on her 14 years at King. “Last spring, I had the opportunity to play baseball on the new field, and it took the playing experience to a whole other level. I am excited to see the opportunities that current and future athletes will have playing on this beautiful field,” said Jonathan Decker ’23.

As Emmi and Jonathan shared their experiences as current King students, across from the fields, alumni from classes dating as far back as 1945 gathered for a BBQ outside the Simon House. They mingled and reminisced about their school years while listening to jazz and rock performances of talented upper school musicians led by music teacher Garrett Mendez.

“This keeps getting better and better every year,” said Paul Lee K’47 as he looked around and admired the growth of the campus. “My graduating class had seven students, all men,” he said, remembering the King School he attended in the 1940s, which was located on Colonial Road in downtown Stamford.

Also in attendance was Jennifer Guevara KLHT’97, P’24, ’28, ’30, ’30, who is a counselor at King’s Middle School, an alumna, and a parent of four King students. “As an alum, it is always fun to come back. I like to see the faces I haven’t seen for years. It’s the highlight of the year!” she said.

“It’s great to come back and see the differences that have happened over the last 40 years,” said Eric Carson K’81, or “the artist known as ‘Slim,’” he added, chuckling as he referenced the nickname he had during his King years.

The King School campus was a bustle of activity and athletic competitions. Saturday was a big hit for the Vikings with Junior Varsity Boys Soccer, Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball, Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Girls and Boys Soccer, Varsity Football, and Varsity Volleyball all in action. Varsity Volleyball highlighted the day at King as they extended their undefeated record to 12-0 this season. 

“I am really sad that this is my last Homecoming, said Cathie Baer ’22 after finishing a soccer game and speaking from her perspective as a senior with graduation around the corner. “I look forward to coming back as an alumna!” she added. 

The upper school choir opened the football game against Tilton School with a spectacular performance of the national anthem. Professional sportscaster Colin Cosell KLHT’97 announced the game while fans in attendance delighted at the halftime performance by the Lower School Spirit Squad.

The weekend closed out on Sunday with our annual King Cares 5K. Over a hundred community members participated in the race, which raised around $16,000 for the Stamford Boys and Girls Club and the Orphaned Starfish Foundation. A big thank you to all who took part in this community event.

From managing the School Store and coaching our Spirit Squad to baking and selling delicious treats, we are very grateful to our Parents’ Association for all the dedication, time, and effort they put into making Homecoming 2021 a tremendous success. Kudos to the King School staff who helped organize this community event.