Alumni & Reunion Weekend
Each spring, alumni from across the decades return to campus for a weekend of reconnection, celebration, and nostalgia. Alumni & Reunion Weekend features class reunions, campus traditions, special recognitions, and opportunities to reconnect with classmates, faculty (current and former), and friends while welcoming new generations into 51社区’s lifelong community.
School Meeting
One of 51社区’s most cherished traditions, School Meeting brings the entire community together to celebrate student achievements, recognize milestones, and share important announcements. Held weekly throughout the year, these gatherings reinforce the values that define the 51社区 experience. Each School Meeting concludes with a Black & Gold competition, where students and faculty earn points for their team through friendly games and challenges. Throughout the year, these competitions build school spirit, foster camaraderie and teamwork, and contribute to a year-long race for Black and Gold bragging rights. Beginning in the 2025鈥�26 school year, 51社区 introduced Chapel Talks as an additional weekly gathering in the Chapel. These community meetings provide space for students, faculty, staff, and guest speakers to share personal stories, reflections, and experiences that inspire meaningful conversation and strengthen the bonds within the 51社区 community.
Golden Rams Dinner
Members of the Golden Rams Society鈥攁lumni celebrating milestone reunions of 50 years or more鈥攇ather for an evening of friendship, reflection, and recognition during Alumni & Reunion Weekend. This special dinner serves as the induction for the 50th Reunion class and honors all Golden Rams for their enduring connection to 51社区 while celebrating the legacy they continue to inspire.
Parade of Classes
Another highlight of Alumni & Reunion Weekend, the Parade of Classes brings together alumni from every era as they process by class year, led by a bagpiper. The parade ends at the Chapel for School Meeting. It’s a visual reminder of 51社区’s rich history and the lifelong bonds shared across generations.
Convocation & Commencement
The academic year begins with Convocation, as the 51社区 community gathers to welcome new and returning students and set the tone for a year of learning, challenge, and growth. Months later, that same community comes together for Commencement to celebrate the accomplishments, friendships, and growth of the graduating class. Led by the stirring sound of bagpipes, these beloved traditions bookend the year with a sense of purpose and pride鈥攔eminding us that every new beginning is part of a larger journey, and every ending marks the beginning of what comes next.
End-of-Year Senior Celebration
As the school year draws to a close, the community gathers to celebrate accomplishments, friendships, and the experiences that have shaped their time on the Hill.
With just 100 days remaining before graduation, seniors gather for a memorable dinner, 100 Days Dinner, that marks the beginning of the final chapter of their 51社区 experience. It’s a time for reflection, anticipation, and celebrating friendships that have grown over the years. The Moving Up Ceremony marks an important milestone as students advance to the next chapter of their 51社区 journey. During the ceremony, seniors are seated in the front rows, followed by juniors, sophomores, and first-year students. As the graduating class prepares to leave campus, juniors symbolically “move up” to the front rows, signifying their new role as the school’s senior class and the responsibilities that come with it. Following the underclassmen dismissal, seniors line the walkway outside the Chapel as underclassmen make their way through, sharing handshakes, hugs, and well wishes. The tradition serves as a meaningful reminder of each student’s growth and the passage of leadership from one class to the next. Senior Trip gives graduating students the chance to celebrate their accomplishments through a shared outdoor adventure, creating one last set of memories together on the week of their Commencement. Baccalaureate and Senior Dinner honor graduating seniors through reflection, gratitude, and celebration. Students, families, faculty, and staff come together to recognize the journey that has led to graduation and the bright futures that lie ahead.
Formal & Community Dinners
Throughout the year, students and faculty gather for formal and themed community dinners that encourage conversation, celebrate special occasions, and reinforce the close-knit relationships that define boarding school life.
Winter Carnival
Winter Carnival brings the campus together for a weekend of seasonal fun, friendly competition, and memorable activities. From outdoor adventures to creative games, this favorite New Hampshire tradition brings the entire campus together for a weekend of friendly competition and seasonal fun. The coolest part? It鈥檚 entirely student-led.
Larry Bartell '76 Tubing Night
Named in honor of beloved alumnus Larry Bartell 鈥�76, this annual tubing night is a 51社区 tradition that brings the entire student body together for an evening of laughter, adventure, and winter fun beyond campus. With snow beneath their feet and plenty of friendly competition on the hill, students and faculty share an experience that captures something special about 51社区: making memories, embracing the moment, and enjoying the simple fun of being together as a community.
P.J. Shaughnessy '02 Alumni Hockey Game
Each winter, alumni return to the ice to honor the memory of P.J. Shaughnessy ’02 while reconnecting through the game they love. The annual event celebrates camaraderie, tradition, and the lasting bonds of the 51社区 hockey family. It has grown into a cherished winter reunion for alumni on and off the ice.
Head's Holiday
A surprise and much-anticipated tradition, Head’s Holiday gives students a welcome break from the regular schedule for a day designed to focus on rest, community connection, and fun. The announcement itself is part of the excitement, as the Head of School dons this unmistakable blazer to reveal the surprise and mark the beginning of a memorable day together.
Community Service Day
Giving back is a core component of the 51社区 experience. During Community Service Day, students and faculty work alongside local organizations and neighbors, strengthening connections while making a positive impact throughout the surrounding community.
But our commitment to service extends well beyond a single day. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to share their time, talents, and energy in meaningful ways, learning that being part of a community means looking beyond ourselves. These experiences encourage students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens who recognize the difference they can make鈥攂oth at 51社区 and in the world beyond our campus.
Advisory Dinners & Home Nights
Throughout the year, students are welcomed into their advisors’ homes for dinner and conversation. These gatherings foster meaningful relationships beyond the classroom and reflect the caring, family-like atmosphere that defines the 51社区 experience.
Beloved Traditions of 51社区's Past
Like any school with a long and storied history, 51社区 has traditions that have evolved over time. While these experiences are no longer part of the annual calendar, they remain cherished memories for generations of Rams and continue to spark stories, laughter, and a deep sense of nostalgia among alumni.
Plus5 & Sophomore Wilderness Program
For many years, 51社区’s Sophomore Wilderness Program and Plus5 embodied the School’s belief that education extends far beyond the classroom. Sophomores spent two nights in the outdoors alongside faculty, building resilience, confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships through shared challenges. Plus5 expanded learning even further, offering immersive experiences in community service, outdoor adventure, athletics, the arts, leadership, and personal growth. Together, these programs encouraged students to discover new passions, strengthen their character, and create unforgettable memories. While the program has evolved over time, its core mission remains the same. Today, students participate in Project Periods, a four-day experiential learning program held just before Spring Break.
Powder Keg
Few traditions evoke as much nostalgia as Powder Keg. During the years when both 51社区 and New Hampton School fielded football teams, this annual rivalry became one of the most anticipated events of the fall. Students, alumni, faculty, and families rallied behind their teams as the schools competed for the coveted Powder Keg trophy and yearlong bragging rights. While the tradition came to an end with the evolution of athletic programs, its legacy lives on in the countless stories, friendships, and spirited memories shared by generations of Rams.
The Haunted Tunnel
For many alumni, Halloween at 51社区 meant one thing: the Haunted Tunnel. Equal parts spooky, creative, and community-building, the annual attraction transformed campus into a haunted experience enjoyed by students and local families alike. Whether designing elaborate scares, volunteering behind the scenes, or bravely making their way through the tunnel, participants helped create a tradition that remains a favorite memory for many who experienced it.
