CAMP CATE 2023

By Emily Sosrodjojo '13

On Friday, June 2, members of the Cate community including alumni, parents of alumni, current and former faculty, families, and friends arrived on the Mesa to celebrate Camp Cate 2023. This marked the much anticipated return of Camp Cate, with alumni and families back in the dorms, following last year’s Reunion Weekend. The weather greeted guests with warm sunshine and temperatures were in the mid-to-high 70s throughout the weekend. It was as though May gray and June gloom never took place.

Camp Cate 2023 was especially meaningful as the community celebrated the opening of the Jackson Ballard '15 Recording Studio – a belated celebration due to the pandemic. Jackson’s mother, aunt, uncle, and older brother, Brewer Ballard '13 were present and the Class of 2013 joined Brewer in the heartfelt gathering. The celebration was filled with laughter and awe as guests listened to Ben Williams and Brewer Ballard commemorate Jackson and his quiet and formidable spirit.

Once alumni and families arrived and settled into their dorms, guests headed to Mesa House for the Camp Cate Kick-Off Party. Ben Williams greeted alumni and their families one last time as this was his final Camp Cate as Head of School. Alumni joyfully reconnected with one another and with former teachers and retired faculty members. Guests enjoyed delicious tacos and cold beverages provided by Firestone Brewery. It was not just the adults who had a festive Friday evening; children of alumni participated in the sixth annual Junior Camp Cate program. The camp was led by Flora Troy '19 with help from current Cate students. Campers enjoyed some tacos of their own before heading to Booth Commons to watch WALL-E and make s’mores.

Saturday morning began with the Annual Mesa Race. Track and Field Coach Tim Weir took note of runners’ bib numbers and time, while Camp Cate counselors directed runners throughout the course. Former camp counselor

Kyril van Schendel '18 was the first male to finish the race at 10:57, and future Cate Ram Sofia Chu was the first female that crossed the finish line at 16:44. While the race took place, other alumni and families visited the new Otis Booth Dining Commons for the very first time. Science instructor Dr. Jamie Kellogg greeted runners, alumni, and families with espressos and lattes. Guests participated in various other morning activities, including frisbee golf, a trip to the Blue Ewe, and campus tours led by head tour guide

Mel Davidson '24

The Johnson Library opened its doors around mid-morning for the Cate of the Union presentation hosted by the Alumni Leadership Council. John Kearney '00, current Alumni Leadership Council President, welcomed alumni and provided an overview of recent happenings on and off the Mesa. Lindsay Newlove, Director of Advancement, shared various ways that alumni can remain engaged with the school, its students, and with one another. Lindsay shared architectural renderings of the new Inquiry Collaborative project and explained the future impact of this capital project, which is a key part of the For Cate and Forever campaign. Alumni learned about the Matt McCall '83 challenge match that supports the Sanderson Smith Endowment Fund. Currently, more than 200 alumni from the 3s and 8s graduating classes have contributed to the challenge match and more than $135,000 has been raised to date.

Director of College Counseling Maude Bond provided a summary on how Cate’s counseling office approaches the college application process. Dave Soto '08, Senior Associate Director of Admission, shared the diverse cohort of incoming students that have been accepted to Cate for the 2023-2024 academic year. Yutopia Essex, Director of People and Belonging, shared that Cate has altered its approach to better care for both students and adults in the community.

Throughout Saturday morning, young campers enjoyed arts and crafts activities and a scavenger hunt on the Mesa. The community reconvened on Commencement Lawn to enjoy afternoon sunshine and a BBQ lunch. Guests played lawn games such as corn hole and spike ball, participated in friendly rounds of pickleball, or simply spent time relaxing in the pool. The Bonning Tennis Center and Sprague Gymnasium were destinations for sports activities as some alumni played tennis with 2023 CIF SS Champion Nate Newlove '25 or challenged former basketball coaches in pick-up basketball games. The Katharine Thayer Cate Memorial Chapel was open throughout the weekend for all guests who wished to honor Cate community members whom they lost since their last class reunion.

As the evening approached, Jr. Camp Cate counselors hosted young campers for a final dinner together in the Nelson D. Jones '48 Stables courtyard followed by games in Upper Booth Commons and dodgeball in the Fleischmann Gymnasium. There was lots of exciting chatter as alumni walked over to Thayer

Peck '53 Field for the annual Reunion Dinner. Making the trip all the way from Madrid, Spain, Marina Narain '13 and Rafa Sañudo '83 received an award for having traveled the farthest to attend the reunion. Andrew McPhail '83 received honorable mention recognition for flying in from Berlin, Germany, a shorter flight by a mere 33 miles.

Isabel Sorenson '18 kicked off the evening with opening remarks and Walter Douglas '73 shared a reflection as the Class of 1973 celebrated their 50th class reunion. Guests mingled, perused yearbooks, and reminisced about their Cate years as the night progressed. Fresh batches of muffet tuffets were brought out for old times’ sake. It would be remiss to say that Camp Cate 2023 did not end without a game of alumni dodgeball. The Class of 2013 and members of the Class of 1998 and 2018, made a pact to meet once again in Fleischmann Gymnasium at the next Camp Cate in 2028!

Sunday morning came quickly, and suddenly the campus had a serene atmosphere as guests packed their bags and left their dorm rooms. Hugs, laughter, tears, and smiles brightened the overcast day. Much excitement and buzz for the next reunion was ever-present. The dates are set for next year – alumni in classes ending in 4s and 9s are invited back for their reunion celebrations on June 7-9, 2024. We look forward to welcoming you “home” next summer! Servons