Monday was the perfect, warm September day for our seniors to race across Polk Pond in the traditional boat race competition. Known affectionately as The Senior Boat Race, this event is one that our seniors have an ocean of fun with every year. Dating back to the 2005-2006 school year, this tradition marked its 20th year on September 22, 2025!
The past few weeks, our Class of 2026 students in advisory have thoughtfully constructed ships out of cardboard, plastic, and duct tape. They worked diligently to create the perfect vessels for the occasion.
On race day, each advisory dressed in a t-shirt themed after their advisor—like “Slivka Sailors” for Upper School Fine Arts Teacher Kevin Slivka, “Wells Bells” for Upper School History Teacher Elizabeth Wells, and “Megladon” for Upper School Science Teacher Megumi Yoshioka-Tarver. Then, they carried their boats down to the pond, and soon the races began!
First, there were four heats of advisories competing within their college counseling quadrants. Then, after some capsizing, a lot of splashing, and a spirited Rams crowd full of cheers, the winning advisory from each of the four heats competed in the fifth and final heat.
Congratulations to Upper School English Teacher Courtney Check’s advisory for sailing their way to victory! They claimed the highly coveted trophy awaiting them in the office of Daniel George, Upper School Dean for the Class of 2026.
At the end of the contest, Riley Crawford ’26, the Class of 2026 STUCO President, announced, “Seniors, walk the plank!” Without wasting a drop of energy, the seniors splashed into the pond to conclude the 2025 Senior Boat Race event.
Dean George reflected, “The Boat Race has become a fun and integral part of the senior experience at MICDS. Hours of bonding, late-afternoon design and build sessions, and creative use of materials and artwork have made this one of the most enjoyable traditions.”
Whether you captained your advisory’s ship or cheered as a crew member along the pond’s perimeter, we hope this day wades to the top of your MICDS memory book! Way to row, seniors!