The only thing wrong with Thayer Academy’s Homecoming 2021 was the weather forecast. 

A week’s worth of gloomy predictions of wind and rain gave way to a Saturday of sunshine and fair temperatures as members of the Thayer community relived fond memories and made a few new ones at the Sept. 25 celebration. 

The day kicked off with family fun in and around the Big Tent with a bake sale, complimentary concessions augmented by a trio of food trucks (Sweetie’s Shaved Ice, Mom on the Go, and Dilly Dilly Donuts), airbrush tattoos and balloons for the kids, and Barn Babies Traveling Petting Zoo for young and old alike. One highlight of the early morning fun was the annual cornhole tournament; this year’s winner of the 32-team competition was Team Guilfoyle, aka Andrew Guilfoyle ‘23 and younger sister Allison. In addition to the respect of their fellow competitors, the duo earned a custom Thayer cornhole set. 

Soon after, sports took center stage. Both the boys and girls varsity cross country teams defeated Lawrence Academy and Governor’s Academy in tri-meets run on the Harold B. Hatch P ‘83 Cross Country Course. Boys varsity soccer defeated Governor’s Academy by a score of 4-0 while the girls varsity squad defeated Governor’s by a score of 3-0. Girls varsity volleyball and girls varsity field hockey both showed Thayer spirit in tough losses to Governor’s, and the final contest of the day saw the varsity football team defeat St. Mark’s School by a score of 28-7. 

The good weather brought big crowds eager to stock up on Thayer gear via either the Campus Store or the limited-edition merchandise sold by the Thayer Academy Parent Association. TAPA volunteers, led by Homecoming Chairs Michelle LaMattina P ‘24 and Mary Michel P ‘23, ‘26, ensured that things ran smoothly throughout the day.