The inaugural Founders' Cup is officially underway in the Middle School, and the first two major events have set an exciting tone for this year-long competition. Designed to inspire academic excellence, creativity, teamwork, and community spirit, the Founders' Cup brings students together in a division-wide competition that honors the school’s history while building connections across grades.
Last week, students participated in two engaging challenges. On Monday, November 11, grade-level Founders’ Cup teams collaborated on a graphic design challenge that tested their creativity, communication, and teamwork while highlighting the school’s virtues of kindness, integrity, respect, and perseverance. Alongside this activity, students competed in a trivia challenge that quizzed their knowledge of the school’s community and history, as well as a mix of general trivia.
On Wednesday, the energy continued with Founders’ Gold, an exciting twist on Capture the Flag played in a four-quadrant format. The game combined strategy and physical skill, encouraging partnerships across grades.
"It was a lot of fun to be a part of the whole-team competition. It was exciting to play and at the same time be supported by your teammates,” said Avery Finkel ’30.
The competition is designed to create bonds that go beyond friend groups, advisories, and grades.
"It brings the Middle School and different grades together and lets us connect with each other outside of class and typical school activities,” said Camille Bley ’29.
"The Founders’ Cup activities give us a special opportunity to connect with students outside of our normal friend group and make new friendships,” added Ethan Gigliotti '29
“The feelings of joy and teamwork were palpable,” said Head of Middle School Josh Deitch. “We continued to build our community on the foundation of care, connection, and commitment to the virtues of kindness, integrity, respect, and perseverance.”
Dean of Student Life Jeremy Bletterman explained the scoring.
“Students can earn points in a variety of ways,” he said. “Positive conduct notes, otherwise known as ‘Caught Being Cool,’ academic distinctions, logged reading challenges, and other scholastic pursuits are rewarded, as are larger events, which will take place four times throughout the year, culminating on Field Day.”
The Founders' Cup is more than a competition — it’s a way to connect students to the school’s roots and an opportunity for them to learn about and feel connected to our history while building their own traditions.
“Each team is named after one of the school’s founders: King, Low, Heywood, and Thomas, representing the original three schools (King, Low-Heywood, and Thomas),” said Deitch. “The team colors and logos pay homage to this history, fostering a sense of pride and continuity.”
With the first events setting the stage, the Founders' Cup will continue throughout the school year, with more exciting activities planned.
This friendly and spirited competition is already strengthening the bonds of the middle school community, honoring the past while creating memories. “The enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and camaraderie demonstrated this week set a wonderful precedent for what promises to be a cherished annual tradition,” said Deitch.
As the year unfolds, students and staff alike look forward to seeing which team will ultimately raise the trophy at the end of the academic year — and, more importantly, how the competition will continue to unite and inspire.