Scrapbook: Homecoming 2006

The stars aligned for this year’s Homecoming festivities. It started with the Girls Varsity Soccer Team crushing Onondaga (4-1) on Thursday, October 12. On Friday, the 13th the school came together and displayed incredible school spirit. Since so many Lower School students participated in the “Red and White Spirit Day” we couldn’t determine a winner of the competition so Head of School Baxter Ball agreed to host an ice cream sundae party for the entire Lower School. The Middle School did a great job of decorating their lockers and the Sixth Grade was named the winner with their wonderful display of creativity and teamwork.

After school, close to 200 students, alumni, faculty, parents, and friends gathered to cheer on the Boys Varsity Soccer Team as they played archrival Faith Heritage. It was a nail biter but the boys brought home the W when Naji Muakkassa ’07 scored the loan goal in the second half. With a final score of 1-0, goalie Dimitrios Telonis ’07 broke the national record for most number of career shutouts (75). At the buzzer, students stormed the field to congratulate Naji, Dimitrios, and the entire team for a great game! Before the crowd dispersed, game announcer Jeff Mangram drew the winning ticket for the iPod Nano raffle (every Upper School student and alumnus/a received a free raffle ticket for being in attendance) and awarded it to Carl Stanbro ’10.

The next day, the Alumni Association Board of Directors met in the new Laurie Mezzalingua Center for Early Learning to discuss alumni programming and fund raising efforts. Board members traveled from as far as Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, and from as close as Cazenovia and Syracuse, to share their ideas and enthusiasm for Manlius Pebble Hill School. A special thank you goes to all of our Board members for their time, support, and energy.

Later that night, the Alumni Board enjoyed a reception at the home of Alumni Association president Russ Andrews ’64. The Board members then joined a large MPH crowd at the Syracuse Civic Center to watch Carrie Manolakos ’02 star in the national tour of Mamma Mia!. Carrie mingled with the crowd and signed autographs for many of her fans. It was the perfect end to a great Homecoming!