OCTOBER 07, 2022

There was undeniable school spirit in the air on the morning of September 17 as parents, staff, and students began setting up for a long-awaited event: Homecoming 2022. 92nd Street, which was closed for the morning, displayed giant, blue, painted letters that read “Go Nighthawks!” and “Show your spirit!” By 9:00 a.m that morning, 92nd Street had transformed; the trees were wrapped in navy and white streamers; tote decorating, sign making, and face painting stations were set up and ready; and games like giant Jenga and cornhole awaited their first play.

While Homecoming festivities on 92nd Street were just getting started, one of Nightingale’s athletics teams had already secured a win the day before. On Friday, September 16, varsity tennis won in a tiebreaker 7-5 thanks to the doubles team, which was the deciding match.

The energy was palpable. Students and families enjoyed the morning, trying various activities, taking photos, decorating scooters, drawing on the street with chalk, and more. Once the festivities were underway, some community members ventured up to the seventh floor to see JV volleyball spike off against Hewitt in the Susan Hecht Tofel ’48 Gymnasium resulting in a win in two sets: 25-20 and 25-14.

Back on 92nd Street, community members, along with the Nighthawk, gathered behind a big navy and white Nightingale banner to parade to Central Park. Some students were seen excitedly zooming through the parade with their newly-decorated scooters.

Shortly after families found their spots on a hill and along the sidelines of one of Central Park’s North Meadow fields, varsity cross country races and the varsity soccer game against Hewitt was underway.

“We ended up winning by quite a lot which was a really exciting and rewarding finish to the race,” varsity cross country athlete Sabine ’23 shared. “This being my last Homecoming at Nightingale, I am so glad we were able to add the cross country element to all of the day's activities and have so many of our peers show up to support us along the way!”

The varsity XC ran two teams of five runners in a 5x1 mile relay around the North Meadow. While proud of the relays’ performance, Cross Country Coach Hallie Nicoll shared that she was most proud of seeing Nightingale and Hewitt’s whole XC team warm up together and run the course as a warm up.

“They showed great sportsmanship and really portrayed an example of how running bonds people and brings them together—even during competition,” Ms. Nicoll said.

Back on the soccer field, varsity soccer scored another win for Nightingale, beating Hewitt 6-1.

“I was so proud of all of the players at the Homecoming soccer game. Not only did it remind me of the thrill that comes with being part of a school team, but it also brought me back to what Nightingale Homecomings have always been about—community and joy,” varsity soccer manager Victoria B. ’23 shared. “At the beginning of the game, the team performed their ‘magic’ routine where a player on the team goes in the middle of a huddle of jumping teammates and screams: ‘Can you feel the magic?!’ I truly felt the magic during that game, and it carried over into really good plays and great communication on the field.”

“The game was one of our best games for sure,” varsity soccer player Annabelle G. ’24 shared. “We all walked over to Central Park together and used face paint to show school spirit. When the game started we tried our hardest right away, and we scored 5 goals in the first 15 minutes of the game.”

Back at the Schoolhouse, varsity volleyball secured another win for Nightingale, winning each of their three sets against Hewitt: 25-11, 25-10, and 25-18.

Following the Homecoming games, families continued the celebration with food trucks, games, and music.

Just before the day wrapped up, community members ventured up to the seventh floor for another volleyball game. However this time, Nightingale alumnae and professional community members competed.

“There were so many highlights of the day it is hard to choose one,” Director of Athletics Amanda Cecil said. “That being said, the alumnae and ProCom volleyball game packed the gym with current students, current parents, ProCom, alumnae, alumnae families…really everyone that is a member of our community. The feeling of community and belonging was so evident in the gym.”

Ms. Cecil continued: “Homecoming was a great day for the entire school. All of our teams had a successful day, Nightingale families from all divisions experienced our athletic program and students got even more excited for when they can play in Homecoming in the future. The pure joy of being a Nighthawk was certainly seen on 92nd Street and in Central Park that day.”