By Riker Napoleone ’27
Around the fall midterm comes the annual Gunn vs. Millbrook under the lights football game and Play 4 the Cure. The Athletic Director Mr. Marich carts in lights to make the turf accessible late into the night, ensuring one of the most enjoyable and entertaining weekends of the year. With the school walk having just finished previously that week, school spirit is high, and students are ready to get in on the fun of Play 4 the Cure.
Alarms are set, multiple for some, and no one is missing the sign ups to play. Since these field hockey games are one of the year’s most praised and exciting events, around 80 total students participate. This year, practically the entire rest of the school came to watch the exciting games. The Varsity Girls’ Soccer team also made baked goods to sell, all for the same good cause of raising money for breast cancer research. The teams all fought hard, which for some was difficult as most students who played had never touched a stick. Evan Chiappa ’27 explained how it was a great night to “live in the moment.” However, the seniors did not disappoint. The Seniors first managed a 5-0 win, and then won it all with a 1-0 win vs. the juniors. Poppy Kellogg ’25 stated, “It was great to win for the second year in a row, and we didn’t expect anything less.” Also, new this year was a student vs. faculty penalty shootout. Many of the teachers participated, including Mrs. Gum, but the students ultimately defeated them. The next day features the annual Gunn vs. Millbrook Under The Lights game, where the student section helps to carry Gunn to grasp the win. This year’s game, a 36-16 win for Gunn was especially memorable, as it followed the win from the year previous. Ethan Meyer ’27 said “the team performed and executed as well as we could, but the crowd and atmosphere really made it a great experience.” Overall, the football game was a tremendous accomplishment for the team, and the crowd.
Though there were winners and losers in both Play 4 the Cure and the football game, in the long run, the Under the Lights weekend was an excellent experience for Gunn students and faculty, whether they participated or not. This weekend exhibits friendship, teamwork, and bonding, all characteristics that players and friends must sustain to be successful. In turn, it also makes the Under the Lights weekend one of the most anticipated and memorable weekends of the year.
