Of all the benefits of being a graduate of Trinity College School, one of the biggest advantages is gaining lifelong friendships. I have heard this many times, including on the weekend of May 24th-26th, which was the occasion of Reunion Weekend 2024.

During this year’s Reunion Weekend, the School hosted a record number of 400 former students on campus, including 350 people for dinner on the Saturday night in the Sue Burns Gymnasium.

Even some rain on Saturday did not prevent a host of alumni activities from taking place. Activities that included a golf tournament (the recently renamed David McCart ’67 Alumni Golf Tournament), rugby, tennis, soccer, cycling and a 5km run. In addition, our Bigside and Littleside rugby teams competed in CISAA Championship final games and a matinee performance of Shrek the Musical was impressively staged by our students and staff.

Alumni travelled from the world over, including from:

• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• Cambodia
• China
• Denmark
• England
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Saudi Arabia
• Turks & Caicos

From Canada, the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Quebec were represented. From the United States we had alumni from Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

And, Year Chair Bob Bannerman (fresh from celebrating his 84th birthday in April) was joined by several of his class of 1959 friends, marking their 65th year since graduating from TCS!

Thanks to our facilities department, the campus looked gorgeous; our culinary services team prepared five-star quality meals; and, our philanthropy & alumni office, led by Tricia Mandryk, made everyone feel like they were returning to their second home.

A host of our current staff and students shared in and assisted with the festivities. And, the reviews from those in attendance were effusive. Most importantly, however, friends were reunited around their common experience during what was a formative time in their lives. The result is a weekend of reminiscing – and so many shared laughs.

As Donkey sings to Shrek, “ya gotta have friends!” And, from what I witness each and every year at reunion, it seems indisputable that long-standing friendships are the best.