Kent Denver School Opening Day Traditions

HEROES ABOUND ON OPENING DAY!

If there’s one common aspect to truly great school traditions, it’s that no one is quite sure how they begin. They seem to develop organically—novel ideas tried once, then repeated; new elements added here; different approaches tried there—allowing the activities to become better and more beloved each year.

The tradition of Kent Denver seniors dressing in costume has that characteristic. Upper School Director Eric Chandler isn’t sure when the practice began, though it’s been a hallmark of his 11 years at the school.

As for how the seniors select their annual costume theme, Dr. Chandler says, “There is a senior dessert, usually on a Thursday before the start of classes the following week. Seniors and their families meet in Anschutz to hear from the Head of School. He then excuses the students, who meet in the Black Box with their class dean to decide on the theme. The deliberation includes generating ideas, debating them and then voting for one.”

Seniors had just four days to create their costumes in the early years of the tradition. Recent classes have five.

Opening Day festivities allow school leaders to welcome younger students to campus and set the tone for the coming year. But how does this tradition impact students—and parents—new to Kent Denver? Dave, father of Emily ’24, shares his perspective:

Dear Senior Class and KDS Family,

As a parent of a child entering her first year of Middle School, I began the day with a sense of immense gratitude for the opportunities and open arms awaiting her at KDS (someday, as parents, you too might experience this gratitude...it's glorious). As we drove to school this morning, my daughter was unusually quiet, a silence that, for her, normally accompanies deep and focused reflection. I knew she was excited, but nervous. And she knew she was excited, but nervous. My grandiose and obnoxious speech about her participating in one of the greatest learning institutions in the country, offered during a red light, only wound her up further (“Enough, Dad,” she said. “Enough, Dave,” said my wife. “Ohhh! Speech denied,” offered my son). And then we pulled into the Kent Denver driveway.

Imagine yourself joining an entirely unfamiliar group of peers—a new tribe—in a new place, without any sense for the larger context. How intimidated you might feel, how vulnerable. How small and unknown, yet racked with the sense that every misstep you might make will be magnified to socially crippling proportions. Imagine that feeling. Now, imagine rounding the corner to find the elders of your new tribe (dressed perfectly for the occasion), waving their arms with joy and cheering you on as though you'd been a part of the group all along. Imagine how relieved, how welcomed, how safe and legitimate and loved you would feel.

This is the feeling that you inspired in my daughter this morning as she rounded the corner to this next phase in her journey. I cannot offer enough sincere thanks for your willingness to show up in this way for the new incoming students.

Someday, as parents, you too might experience this gratitude. It’s glorious.

Sincerely,

Dave