Heralded by the arrival of spring is Groton’s annual Reunion Weekend. From May 10–12, graduates from years ending in four or nine will return to the Circle and reunite with their formmates, teachers and campus. There are approximately 500 alumni attending this year, with the youngest coming from the Form of ’19 for their five-year reunion, and the oldest coming from the Form of ‘49 for their seventy-five-year reunion.
Planning for Reunion Weekend started as early as July 2023. “We plan it kind of like a wedding,” joked Director of Alumni Engagement Allison Macbride. This year’s Reunion Weekend schedule blends both long-held reunion traditions with new events. Alumni arrive on Friday evening for a tour of the Schoolhouse—a feature that was added after the Schoolhouse renovation in 2017—followed by a reception at Headmaster Temba Maqubela’s house. Saturday kicks off with an explosion of events, including an early morning bird-watching session with Charles Rogers ’24, an admissions panel with Dean of Admission Ian Gracey and Associate Director of Admission Carolyn Chica, the annual “Triangle // Run” and “Alumni Row” on the Nashua River, and Form Dinners where each form selects their own menu. During the day, alumni will also have the opportunity to observe classes, watch athletic events, and listen to a student recital in the Gammons Memorial Hall.
Sunday closes out with an alumni choristers’ rehearsal, a special chapel service, and a retirement celebration for Stephen Belsky, Kate Dennison, Tommy Lamont, John Lyons, and Paula Marks, before the alumni depart campus.
This year’s Reunion Weekend is particularly notable for its involvement of current Groton students in the planning and execution of weekend activities. Previously, Andy Reyes led Saturday’s bird-watching activity, but this year Charles has taken up the role. This year’s medical-professional panel was planned in conjunction with students Kiran Sen ’25 and Timmy Smith ’25, the heads of Groton’s BioMed club. Kiran and Timmy helped to select the members of the panel and devise discussion questions to ask the alumni.
“I think what many alumni look forward to when coming back to the Circle is not only reuniting with their formmates, but also talking with the students,” says Ms. MacBride. “This year, along with having Timothy and Kiran help plan the medical panel, we’re also making sure to have student-led Schoolhouse tours and students at registrations, so alumni and students can have the chance to connect.”
A flurry of emotions—excitement, nostalgia, and even bittersweetness—will engulf the Circle as alumni reconnect with their past and interact with the future of Groton. According to Director of Development and Alumni Affairs John MacEarhern, Reunion Weekend strives to be “a warm Groton embrace as graduates return to a school that was so formative in their development.” As May 10 approaches, the Groton embrace will be felt by all members of the Groton community.
