October 10, 2025 may have started off as a normal day–students attending classes, chattering in the hallway, frantically finishing assignments–but it certainly did not end as most Fridays normally do. For as long as the community can remember, Abington Friends School’s fall Field Day has turned an average morning into an exciting and active afternoon.
The games, including a “silly relay,” kickball, and the fan favorite ultimate ball, are not only activities, but community building and engaging events.
Student rivalries begin, and chants of “Go White Team” or “Let’s go Blue” can be heard all throughout the playing fields.
Students, who rarely share classes or have only exchanged a few words, come together, valuing their shared love for their specific team. The sense of community is strong and clear on Field Day, regardless of previous connections and friendships.
Rainy Korein ‘27 has always had a mixed feeling about field day.
Korein said, “For the entire time that I was required to take PE, it was the bane of my existence because I’m less athletic and more chubby than most other kids, and I got yelled at and made fun of.”
But, regardless of her negative past experiences with PE classes, this year was pretty magical.
Korein said, “My favorite Field Day memory is definitely this year. I got to hang out with my best friend and a kindergartener all day, and we just got to play with the kindergartener and help her do her version of field day. There’s nothing quite like a long, low-pressure day outside with someone who makes you laugh.”
Luca Wood ‘26 has always felt that Field Day is a way to bring connection throughout grades and the school community.
Wood said, “Field Day has always been a time when I feel the most connected to my class and the rest of the school community. Everyone unites around the fun of the competition between our school colors, yet it’s not just a competition, but a celebration of our school. Field day has definitely played a role in my AFS experience because, from a young age, it taught me important messages, such as sportsmanship, community, integrity, and the importance of effort, which cannot only be used on the fields but also in the classrooms.”
It is undeniable that AFS’s Field Day has its differences from other schools’. Specifically, we have two special events: the infamous “tug of conflict” between the seniors and teachers, and the seniors’ fifty-yard dash.
Wood, who was a part of the hilarious bowling skit put on by the seniors during their fifty-yard dash, said, “My favorite memory of Field Day ‘25 was the senior skit during the fifty-yard dash. It felt really great to come together as the 329th graduating class for the skit, and despite all the effort that was already put in for our first grade buddies, the energy was palpable and tangible for all 78 of us. It really was a significant event…a great ending to our last Field Day!”
Lisa Ammirati, Upper School Science Department Chair and parent of AFS lower schoolers, appreciates Field Day from the standpoint of both an AFS parent and teacher.
Ammirati feels that as a parent, getting to see upperclassmen participate in games with her son, who is in first grade, is always a highlight.
When asked about her son’s experience, Ammirati said, “Everyone’s wonderful. But in particular, students that have helped him get over that nervousness” have allowed him to “always come home talking about what a wonderful day he had [all] because of upper school students.”
Technical Theatre Director Seth Schmitt-Hall, who also serves as the resident Field Day DJ, appreciates the magic of Field Day: from middle schoolers partying to top hits to the hourly score announcements.
Hall said that his favorite part of Field Day is hearing “the songs of the summer that middle schoolers in particular love to request.”
“This year [was] KPop Demon Hunters but when I first started Hamilton had just come out and everyone was excited about Hamilton.”
The music played on Field Day is not just one clear community building aspect of Field Day, but a part of the afternoon that emphasizes the joy of the Abington Friends community.
Brendon Jobs, the Director of Upper School feels Field Day brings the community together, and is representative of what the school stands for.
Jobs thinks that due to the time of the year Field Day takes place, which, in relation to most schools in the area, is fairly early, it allows the community to become even stronger.
“It’s just this moment that sends a message that school isn’t just about classrooms,” said Jobs.
This crisp fall day, which most feel is ordinary, is a whole school tradition, one that values the core community connection AFS strives to give their students.
DJ N • Nov 12, 2025 at 8:24 pm
The best part of the field day is playing kickball. I like when we play kickball because I get to play with my friends, and I get to go against my friends. My friends and I are very competitive, so it makes kickball very fun. I think that having days like this built in is important because it gives us a day that we have fun with the whole community. If I could add an event to field day, it would be every grade going against each other in a flag tag game. Field day encourages a sense of belonging by bringing the whole school together, and we are all having fun together.
Daniel Fuller • Nov 12, 2025 at 6:37 pm
My best experiences of Field Day was in 7th grade. At the end of the day, they were announcing the winner and which team won for each grade, blue or gray. In every grade except for mine, blue team won. And I was gray team. But 7th grade gray team won by a lot of points, and my homeroom specifically got the most points of the whole school. I think that it is really important to have a day like Field Day built into each year. It’s important because kids need a break from school every so often. It’s also important because Field Day can give a sense of belonging with everybody working together on a team.
Brendan • Nov 12, 2025 at 5:13 pm
My favorite parts of field day are towards the end when the whole school is able to get together and rally for their teams. It is so nice to see the whole community come together. It is extremely important to have these community traditions because it strengthens our school. As a senior, I especially value the time spent with our first grade buddies. It’s meaningful to be able to share the same excitement and joy with someone who is in a different generation than me. These types of connections are long lasting, now I get to say hi to my buddy when I see them in the halls. In addition, I’m looking forward to the rest of the AFS tradition with my first grade buddy as my senior year goes on.
Max Cassano • Nov 12, 2025 at 2:55 pm
The best experience that I have had at Field Day was when white won for the first time in like 10 years. I think it is important too have days like this built into the school day because they can be days for students to look forward to and have a nice time spreading time with friends or create them. If I could add a new event to field day it would be add flag football to the high school. Field day creates community and helps create bonds and make people to work together strengthening the community.
Dylan • Nov 12, 2025 at 2:42 pm
This is my first year at AFS and already I see how great field day is, I love the energy and enthusiasm of everyone. I’ve made some good memories already from this years field day. I especially enjoyed kick ball because it was fun to cheer on my teammates and be competitive. I can see how much fun this will be in upcoming years as well. I had a field day at my old school but this seems much more exciting and I can’t wait for next years field day too!
Nandi • Nov 12, 2025 at 2:40 pm
The field day was super fun. I definitely enjoyed the tug of war. It is always my favorite event because it really is one of the more competitive games at every field day. You can never tell which team is going to win because both will struggle at first! It was also really fun to do the more team-building games. The 9th grade had one where we needed to have our arms interlinked and it made it really nerve racking and also engaging, and that was also one of the more challenging games. Overall, field day was fun, and we should definitely keep this going annually.
Kate Timmer • Nov 12, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Some of my best field day experiences have been because of the people that I am with, and the memories I have made. Specifically last year, I was not able to participate in field day due to an injury, which upsetted me, because I typically loved field day and everything that came with it. I still found ways to involve myself, such as recording people when asked, “coaching” my section of my team to a win, and encouraging everybody on the field. I made so many new bonds and strengthened my old ones, which is a big reason why I love field day. I do find it important to have days like this in the school year for these reasons I have previously mentioned; bonding, growth, and overall just having fun. I think that field day has the ability to bring people together across every grade and all divisions of the school. The two teams, blue and white, create a common identifier for people in the school of any age, and helps them to bond and talk more with people on their team, even playfully messing with their friends on the other team.
Luca Wood • Nov 12, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Field day’s real purpose is to celebrate Community spirit and collaboration, not just a normal school-wide event. I really appreciate how you shared your experience of still finding joy and involvement despite being injured at the last field day. You showed that Field Day is about more than physical activity; it’s about spirit, encouragement, and belonging, which I agree with. Even when you couldn’t compete, you still contributed by cheering on your teammates and helping others succeed, which proves that Field Day isn’t limited to athletics, but a time of dedication. I agree that the Blue and White teams create a unique bond that connects people across grades, which makes the day so meaningful for the AFS community.
Eliot A Bramson • Nov 12, 2025 at 1:59 pm
As someone who’s been at AFS my entire life, field day has been one of the things grounding me in Abington Friends Tradition. It is very important that we have days like this because not only is it fun, but it builds community and memories. I can remember when I was a little kid, and I was so happy to be paired with the older kids. The important thing about this day isn’t the physical activities, but the memories. If I had to add an event to field day, I think it would be a more traditional relay race where different grades could compete together. This would be a strong addition because it would allow the younger kids to be uplifted by the older ones and would work to foster community throughout the school.
rashan Boyd • Nov 12, 2025 at 11:50 am
The best experience for me at was kickball and getting to bond with the whole school community. Its very important to have days at school like field day. field day brings the community together and lets everyone have fun. Field day also takes a little bit of stress off of the teachers at the school and gives them a sense of relief and happiness. if i could add one event i would add flag football. I would add flag football because its a lot safer then normal football and everyone likes to play football so why not add flag football.
Fia • Nov 12, 2025 at 11:35 am
Field day is very important to include in the school year because it helps students escape from all the projects and classwork that can be very overwhelming at times. Its also a great time to bond with your grade. Field day is always fun for me. I love all the competitiveness and the tense feeling you get when they are about to say who won. In middle school there used to be flag football but this year, in high school, when I played it wasn’t there. I always loved playing that game and its always fun to run down the field with the ball and score. The whole day really brings the school together. The two teams work together as hard as they can to try and win and it really builds the community.
baeleigh • Nov 12, 2025 at 11:23 am
I remember my first field day in Kindergarten with my senior buddies, and I always think about the memories with my buddies on field day. I love seeing everyone participating together and showing spirit for their teams. I especially like seeing kids in my grade who’ve been here since we were young because you stay on the same team throughout the years, so it’s cool to see everyone still somewhat together.
miles • Nov 10, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Ever since 2nd grade I have found field day as one of the best days of the year. But my favorite moment is when I threw the game winning touchdown in football to put blue back ahead of white. I feel that it’s really important to have some team building days in school because it makes building bonds less awkward and more fun. If I could and any game to field day i would want to play some baseball kind of game like spaceball or kickball. Field day is great for cross grade bonding because you already have something in common which is your team and that already gives you so sort of connection.
Nika Kim • Nov 7, 2025 at 1:48 pm
Field day is the most important community event for AFS. I really enjoyed reading this article because sports culture fosters a special sense of community that can’t be replicated. That being said, not everyone is interested in a certain type of sport or is able to compete on the field/court. Field day balances drive, friendly competition, connection, and adrenaline. Whether or not you consider yourself athletic, you can have fun at field day. Field day is one of the few events when the entire school comes together, from kindergarten to twelfth grade. It is pivotal because it allows students to bond with each other. The setting of field day in October allows new students to get to know others and express themselves. My favorite part of field day is the tug of conflict because different grades come together, supporting each other and their teams.
Nia H. • Nov 7, 2025 at 9:42 am
I think it’s very important to have days like field day built into the school year to build connection and community. During the first couple of weeks of the school year, students are getting adjusted to school life and can sometimes forget the fun things. It’s like you said in the article, students who wouldn’t usually talk to each other, like kindergarteners and juniors, finally have the opportunity to connect and participate in fun activities. From my experience, I know that a lot of the lower school students look forward to hanging out with the big kids and middle and upper school students look forward to friendly competition. Events like field day bring us together and remind us that school doesn’t have to just be classes and homework.
Anjali Holloman • Nov 7, 2025 at 9:36 am
Field Day is one of the best days of the year. Often, when I give tours of AFS, prospective families ask me what my favorite thing at the school is. I always say the traditions and community, which go hand in hand. School traditions like Field Day bring the school together and strengthen the community across divisions. I love being able to see everyone playing together in the light-hearted manner of Field Day. I especially enjoy seeing all of my former campers in the lower school. Traditions like Field Day make me sentimental because I get to look back and see how far I’ve come. I still remember being a first grader playing with my senior partner, whom I looked up to so much. The best part of Field Day is the end when the whole school gathers around to watch the sprints and the tug of conflict events. Seeing everyone ranging from 3-year-olds to 18-year-olds (even older if you include teachers and parents), all cheering together to support our peers, is so special. I think that our all school traditions are extra special because of the size of the school. We can all come together and really be part of the community because there aren’t too many of us. It is what makes AFS special. Traditions like Field Day, and later in the year, Winterfest and Arbor Day are what make me excited for school every year.
Nia H. • Nov 7, 2025 at 9:51 am
I agree that Field Day is one of the best AFS traditions. While I haven’t been at this school as long as you, it makes me so happy to see everyone bonding over events like tug of conflict, the relays, and other games. One of my favorite parts of Field Day is coming together with the lower school students, and I hope that they remember their senior buddy just like you remember yours. At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked being at such a small school but the events and traditions we have are possible because of how small it is, and it make me truly grateful.
Brendan • Nov 12, 2025 at 5:14 pm
Thank you Anjali, for your reflection on field day and the role tradition plays in strengthening our community. I agree that school traditions like field day are what make AFS so unique because they connect students across all ages and create lasting memories that build our shared identity. Your point about seeing former campers and remembering your own experiences as a younger student really highlights how these events bring our school full circle. I also think our smaller size makes these traditions even more meaningful, as everyone has the opportunity to actively participate and feel seen. Field day, winter fest and Arbor day all serve as reminders that community isn’t just something we talk about.
Brian • Nov 6, 2025 at 10:03 pm
My best experience on field day was when my team ( white team) won for the first time since I’ve been at AFS. I’ve been here since September of 2016, so it felt really good to finally get a win. Even though my team has only won one time in nine years, I look forward to field day every year. It helps to build community because all the events are played as teams. It’s a fun day of competition that brings the whole school together. I would love it if Football was added to the sports that are available in high school. I think it would be one of the more popular sports.
Aila • Nov 5, 2025 at 4:21 pm
I am definitely the kind of person who takes a minute to warm up to field day. I am a very competitive person, and I really want to win every year. Sometimes I think that some students can take it too far and get upset and lash out at others on their teams just because they lost. That is when field day goes from being fun and a break from schoolwork to being stressful and unfun. As soon as people start to make a big deal about field day, it becomes a chore and not a fun activity that the whole school participates in. I very much think that it is importatn to have these “break” days built into the year. Especially as we get older, the amount of work goes up and so does the stress, so having a break from classes and just the stress of school makes it easier to maintain a healthy and level head throughout the year. I like the way Middle School does Field Day, where everyone is split into two teams and then smaller teams, where you rotate through 4-5 stations on various parts of the field. I wish it were like that for the underclassmen in the Upper School, because it just feels repetitive and predictable, and since the teams are usually the same, it can be even more unfun. I think that these events are very community-oriented because they make you talk to people that you wouldn’t maybe talk to as much, and it forces you out of the average routine of the school day.
Anais • Nov 5, 2025 at 10:07 am
I have found that most everyone in my class says they don’t like field day but once they begin playing the games they are having fun. Everyone loves the tug of conflict and the snacks. Field day is always very spirited which I appreciate. It can lift many peoples spirits especially if they had or are having a bad day. I personally think it depends on my mood. Overall I think it’s a good way to make connections and meet new people from your grade or talk to people you don’t normally talk to. I have found that people who are less athletic don’t have as much fun but it’s still a good experience and opportunity to talk to people. Field day is a tradition and I definitely think it’s a good community day and the school should continue it.