Campus came alive the weekend of October the 24 as Alumni from classes 2000 and 2005 returned to celebrate Alumni weekend, reconnecting with old friends, favorite professors and the place where so many memories began.

“Since I am an advancement ambassador, it was really fun and interesting to tour the Alumni who used to be students like us here and hear about changes that have occurred since their time,” said sophomore Annie Watterson. “One of the interesting things that I learned was that there used to be a bridge that went across the middle of the lake. Even though I have lived here, I still never knew that.”

Members of the Advancement Ambassadors team toured groups of two to five Alumni on Saturday morning. This was an event to bring together the alumni and help them learn more about our campus since their time as students here. Their job as an ambassador was to let the Alumni see what was interesting to them and what they wanted to learn more about.

“Most of the alumni I toured were interested to see how big the Huffman was and the new updates that were made to make it a cool space. They also wanted to see the girls’ dorms. During many of the alumni’s time at school, the girls’ dorms did not exist, so they were really excited to learn about that,”  said sophomore Monica Park.

This weekend, there was a wide range of past students on campus, intrigued to learn about many different places that were new to them. While many of the alumni from many years before the addition of the girls’ dorms were very interested to see the changes, as well as the vast range of present students from many countries and states from all over.

“I loved my six years at Darlington. I started in 1974 in the 6th grade at Darlington Lower School. This was the first year that girls came to Darlington. I graduated in 1980. My family has a long history at this school, my father, grandfather, and my two daughters all attended school here,” said Rosa Kelley, class of 1980.

Many of the alumni who visited have a very strong connection with our school, along with their family, and love our school. The alumni who come back to see our campus are very engaged and view it as a fun weekend to connect with current students, past peers, and a chance to gain new information about our school.

“I have attended many times, not only for my years, but my husband graduated from Darlington, as did both of my children,” Kelley said. “I have been on the Alumni Council many years ago. Us alums picked up right where we left off.  It was great getting together with old friends after a long time. Darlington has added many new buildings, and the houses for Dorm students were not there when I was there, but I like the concept very much. The houses were not there when I was here. Both of my girls were members of Thornwood House. I was friends with the house parents and helped with many dances and rumpuses. All the activities were always so much fun.”