From preparing for the large crowd to putting the “spirit” in Spirit Alley, orchestrating Homecoming at Flint Hill is a huge undertaking. We’re pulling back the curtain to give you a deeper appreciation for the inner workings of this beloved community-builder.
Pandemonium with Purpose
Homecoming 2023 kicked off with a decibel-pounding, energy-packed pep rally planned by the Upper School members of our Athletic Advisory Council. To prepare for a weekend of thrilling match-ups with our athletic rivals, the AAC revved up the spirit of competition by pitting grade against grade with fun games like tug-of-war, dodgeball, musical chairs, and an epic dance-off.
Off-the-Field MVPs
Flint Hill’s Homecoming would not be the success it is year-to-year without the enthusiastic dedication of our parent and faculty/staff volunteers. From working shifts in the Igloo and ringing up customers at the school store to handing out giveaways and pouring cups of hot chocolate, volunteers help create a festive and hospitable environment that offers something for everyone. This year’s festivities came together with the help of 77 indispensable volunteers. Proceeds from all Homecoming concession sales went toward the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel.
Trained For The Win
Homecoming games equal more fans, more energy, and more intensity from our student-athletes. Since that can also mean more opportunity for injury, the three members of Flint Hill’s expert athletic training staff are essential. With Homecoming being such a high-profile event, players are often extra eager to perform for the pumped-up crowd and bring home the win. The weekend is an especially hectic time for the athletic trainers, with multiple games happening in succession. “We stay rooted in balanced energy and encourage our athletes to do the same,” says Athletic Trainer Ashley Williams. “We have to be that still tree in raging waters.”
Each time Flint Hill athletes take the field or step onto the court, the athletic trainers are there to ensure that their health and safety is prioritized. “We show them how to connect the dots with preventive care techniques, which we teach them to take seriously,” Ashley explains. “That buy-in strengthens our partnership with keeping them healthy.” It’s important knowledge they carry with them beyond Flint Hill.
Moonlighting on the Mic
Middle School Science students and Upper School Engineering students heard a familiar voice calling the Homecoming football game. It belongs to their teacher, Gary Smilowitz, who has been bringing familiarity and flair to the press box for two years now. His soundcheck method of calling for a “Husky Howl” now feels like a pregame tradition. Arriving early to ensure everything is prepared, Gary keeps the crowd informed, engaged, and entertained. In true Husky fashion, Gary shares credit when sharing credit is due. “I can’t do it without Coach Izzy Taylor, who calls out player names and teaches me more about the game,” Gary says.
Bringing Home a Message
Members of the Field Hockey team dedicated their Homecoming game to Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit organization with a mission to strengthen student-athlete mental health. The organization is named for Morgan, a collegiate athlete who excelled in lacrosse while also suffering with mental health challenges. After she died by suicide, her family sought to advocate for equalizing the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.
Prior to the game, Megan Jones ’25 and Mackenzie Murdock ’25, ambassadors and co-chairs of the Flint Hill chapter, took the field to announce the dedication. Both students have experienced loss linked to mental health. “The goal of Flint Hill’s Morgan’s Message chapter is to create a safe space for all athletes,” Megan explains. “Mental health around sports is something every athlete relates to no matter what they play.” Mackenzie adds, “A student-athlete’s mental health is a huge part of their ability to succeed both athletically and academically. It is important that athletes receive the support they need and that their community be a safe, stigma-free space to talk and ask for help.”
Little Stars, Big Stage
Homecoming may be a stage for Upper School student-athletes, but, for the second year in a row, our Lower Schoolers stole the spotlight at the football halftime show. Halftime featured 60 K-6th graders performing a routine choreographed by Elisabeth Morello ’26, who, along with her fellow Upper School Dance team members, prepped the Lower School dancers in two hours flat! Not only did our young Huskies take a meaningful risk by performing in front of a cheering crowd, they got to experience the transformative power of dance. Needless to say, they executed the routine flawlessly — or should we say, adorably — which is the same thing. They left the field asking, “When do we do this again?”
Stats:
- $7,600 raised for the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel
- 600 cups of hot chocolate served
- 954 cars parked
- 435 glow sticks given out
- 125 pumpkins decorated
From Husky families sparking new connections to alumni reuniting with cherished friends and teachers — Homecoming embodies the sense of community that Flint Hill holds so dear. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
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Anatomy of a Homecoming
From preparing for the large crowd to putting the “spirit” in Spirit Alley, orchestrating Homecoming at Flint Hill is a huge undertaking. We’re pulling back the curtain to give you a deeper appreciation for the inner workings of this beloved community-builder. Pandemonium with Purpose Homecoming 2023 kicked off with a decibel-pounding, energy-packed pep rally planned by the Upper School members of our Athletic Advisory Council. To prepare for a weekend of thrilling match-ups with our athletic rivals, the AAC…
Alumni Events
This Fall and Winter brought several opportunities for our alumni to get together. From reuniting at Homecoming and our inaugural Alumni of Color Reception to reconnecting at our many College Dinners and Thanksgiving Happy Hour, they enjoyed catching up as fellow Falcons and Huskies. Homecoming Alumni gathered at the Alumni Fan Zone during Homecoming this year to visit with current and former faculty and staff and show their Husky pride! Just before kickoff of the Homecoming football game, Varsity…
Class Notes
WANT TO BE IN THE MAGAZINE? To be included in Alumni Class Notes, email the Alumni Office at alumni@flinthill.org with news of a union, birth of a child, adoption, professional developments, travels, or anything you’d like to share with your classmates. If you would like to include a photo with your submission, please note that digital photographs must be high-resolution JPEG images (1MB+) to appear in print. Flint Hill Magazine editorial staff reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. Become An Ambassador:...
Campus Life
Tradition and Innovation On September 13, Head of School Patrick McHonett led the All-School Gathering, the first assembly of the 2023-24 school year, bringing together students, teachers, and staff from all divisions. He said, “This is a special place where we seek to balance both tradition and innovation to support you, our students, every day. Today, we gather as an entire community, the Husky Team so to speak, to kick off the school year together as one Husky community…
Reflecting On Our Past
In 1956, Flint Hill Preparatory School was founded in Fairfax as a K-12 private school for white students. That same year, U.S. Senator Harry Byrd launched the Massive Resistance…
Transcending Textbooks: History Up Close
“Lucky” is how Andrew McKee ’24 describes the feeling of being one of the four history students chosen to take part in the 2023 Charles Kenney WWII Legacy Trip….
Masters of Education
The wisdom and skill of Flint Hill employees don’t just benefit students and colleagues on campus. Our teachers and administrators enthusiastically seek opportunities to share their knowledge and skills…
Lifecycles
In September, the Flint Hill community was saddened to learn about the loss of former Athletic Director Win Palmer. Coach Palmer joined Flint Hill from St. Stephens in 1990…
Generating A New Frontier
From conversing with online chatbots to getting help from Alexa, many of us have already become accustomed to generative AI at home, but what about at school? Chat Generative…
Anatomy of a Homecoming
From preparing for the large crowd to putting the “spirit” in Spirit Alley, orchestrating Homecoming at Flint Hill is a huge undertaking. We’re pulling back the curtain to give…
Alumni Events
This Fall and Winter brought several opportunities for our alumni to get together. From reuniting at Homecoming and our inaugural Alumni of Color Reception to reconnecting at our many…
Class Notes
WANT TO BE IN THE MAGAZINE? To be included in Alumni Class Notes, email the Alumni Office at alumni@flinthill.org with news of a union, birth of a child, adoption, professional developments, travels, or anything you’d...
Campus Life
Tradition and Innovation On September 13, Head of School Patrick McHonett led the All-School Gathering, the first assembly of the 2023-24 school year, bringing together students, teachers, and staff…
Reflecting On Our Past
In 1956, Flint Hill Preparatory School was founded in Fairfax as a K-12 private school for white students. That same year, U.S. Senator Harry Byrd launched the Massive Resistance in Virginia, legislation enacted to evade Brown v. Board’s mandate for school integration. Senator Byrd…
Transcending Textbooks: History Up Close
“Lucky” is how Andrew McKee ’24 describes the feeling of being one of the four history students chosen to take part in the 2023 Charles Kenney WWII Legacy Trip. The trip, in its inaugural year at Flint Hill, offers students the opportunity to visit…
Masters of Education
The wisdom and skill of Flint Hill employees don’t just benefit students and colleagues on campus. Our teachers and administrators enthusiastically seek opportunities to share their knowledge and skills beyond the confines of our school walls with a greater community of educators. In turn,…
Lifecycles
In September, the Flint Hill community was saddened to learn about the loss of former Athletic Director Win Palmer. Coach Palmer joined Flint Hill from St. Stephens in 1990 and served as the athletic director as well as the head coach of the boys’…
Generating A New Frontier
From conversing with online chatbots to getting help from Alexa, many of us have already become accustomed to generative AI at home, but what about at school? Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer – otherwise known as ChatGPT – is an online AI system that generates…
Anatomy of a Homecoming
From preparing for the large crowd to putting the “spirit” in Spirit Alley, orchestrating Homecoming at Flint Hill is a huge undertaking. We’re pulling back the curtain to give you a deeper appreciation for the inner workings of this beloved community-builder. Pandemonium with Purpose…
Alumni Events
This Fall and Winter brought several opportunities for our alumni to get together. From reuniting at Homecoming and our inaugural Alumni of Color Reception to reconnecting at our many College Dinners and Thanksgiving Happy Hour, they enjoyed catching up as fellow Falcons and Huskies….
Class Notes
WANT TO BE IN THE MAGAZINE? To be included in Alumni Class Notes, email the Alumni Office at alumni@flinthill.org with news of a union, birth of a child, adoption, professional developments, travels, or anything you’d like to share with your classmates. If you would like to include a photo with...
Campus Life
Tradition and Innovation On September 13, Head of School Patrick McHonett led the All-School Gathering, the first assembly of the 2023-24 school year, bringing together students, teachers, and staff from all divisions. He said, “This is a special place where we seek to balance…