Fall Activities Column

Tennis captain Caroline Greganti ‘24 described her team as “one big family,” and is proud of their grit and determination. This bond is essential to an uplifting experience, and coaches and teammates alike provide encouragement and support, working hard and supporting each other even amidst losses. A recent win against the Miller school boosted the team’s morale, but according to Greganti, even when they were on a losing streak, the players didn’t give up, giving their all until the very end of the match. Chatham Hall tennis players show off a determination and love for the sport like no other, and it’s not uncommon to walk by the tennis courts on a weekend or off-day and see players practicing with their friends. Home matches are always a blast as well, and the energy and enthusiasm that the team shows is infectious. Whether making Tik Toks with each other or screaming from the sidelines, the tennis team is always there to cheer on their friends and give their all to the sport.

Field Hockey is killing it this year as well, bringing home their first win recently against North Cross School. The team is excited to welcome exchange students from Australia this season, and, like Tennis, cited team bonding and mutual support as the best part of the game. Ellery Blurton ‘24 raved about her teammates, saying they’re “amazing people with a great work ethic and a positive mindset.” She shared a story from early on in the season, talking fondly of how the team all anonymously wrote the qualities of each team member that they admired and respected. Blurton talked about how this helped bring the team together and build trust and love between all of them, showing off the welcoming environment that Chatham looks to emulate. Despite facing tough competition and several losses this season, Field Hockey continues to keep their signature positive outlook and support each other, cheering teammates on and hyping each other up on their long bus rides and Chipotle trips. This cup-half-full mindset directly affects the team’s performance, according to Blurton, and the team values their team building and hard work above anything. These factors were key players in their recent win, which was a rewarding experience for them all and showed off how far each player has come since the start of the season back in August, as well as the team’s growth as a whole. 

Off the field, the Chatham Hall Theatre program is in the midst of preparing for their production of Murder on the Orient Express, a stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery novel by the same name. Sean Taylor ‘24, who plays the lead role of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, describes the energy of the theater community as “welcoming and nurturing, [with] room for discussion about different ways of acting and performing on stage with positive feedback and honesty.” The cast this year is large in comparison to past shows, and everyone is buzzing with excitement over the upcoming performance. Similar to athletics, Taylor says, theater “requires a lot of practice and motivation and reassurance in yourself in order to participate and display yourself on stage.” The actors and directors are going above and beyond this season, with several actors pushing themselves to learn complicated accents and embody characters far different than what they may be used to. Accent coaching is a unique challenge this season.Mr. Ayres, the director, is helping the performers learn a variety of accents from French to Hungarian or Swedish. The hard work each actor is putting in pays off, and Bella Dunn ‘24 says that “with each small touch, the show is becoming more complete and full.” The company of actors, historical researchers, costume directors, and artists have been giving their all towards this show, and Murder on the Orient Express will be a performance that will enthrall everyone who attends. 

Sharing the Art Building with the Theater company is dance, led by Ms. Kaykeel Dillard who joined Chatham Hall last winter as the new dance instructor and librarian. Incredibly hardworking and skilled, the dance team performed a spectacular interpretation of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice last year, choreographed by Coach Dillard and the students themselves, with help from Mr. Waters for lights and tech. Performances by the dancers are always a highlight of each season, and with the talent and drive from each member of Fall Dance, they’re guaranteed to dazzle the school yet again. 

All in all, Chatham’s fall season has been off to a great start, with games both at home and away, successful senior nights, team bonding, and hard work. Every athlete and performer has consistently given their all and have been unwavering in their love and support for their peers, both embodying the spirit of Chatham Hall and making their coaches and captains proud.