A Celebration of Community and Falcon Pride: Homecoming 2024

Homecoming 2024 brought the FWCD community together in a spirited display of school pride last week. A highlight of the School celebration was a memorable all-School pep rally on Friday afternoon, under the direction of Fourth Grade Teacher, Varsity Cheerleading Coach, and FWCD alumna Courtney Corbeille Krauss '06. The gym’s enthusiastic atmosphere was amplified by the debut of FWCD’s new, larger-than-life Falcon blow-up tunnel, creating an impressive backdrop for the festivities. View the Homecoming Slideshow. 

FWCD’s cheerleaders – Varsity and Middle School – and the Upper School band brought the Sid W. Richardson Round Gym to life with cheers, dance routines and percussion stylings. Adding an element of surprise, Krauss arranged a special treat: a flash mob featuring over 40 FWCD teachers and staff. Thanks to the cheer team's mentorship and choreography, the senior boys performed a fun routine that wowed the audience. Some of FWCD’s alumni cheerleaders were also recognized in the crowd, adding a touch of nostalgia to the event.

Head of Upper School Peggy Wakeland and Assistant Head of School Paula Weatherholt announced the Homecoming Court: Jackson Bloemendal, Chappell Carter, Connor Davidson, Alexis Del Pozzo, Nara Acuna Guba, Henry Harrington, Jack Homan, Sloan Howard, Lainey Liberto and Vivian Richey. When the final student name was called, Carter, who also serves as Student Body President, asked Wakeland for the microphone to make an announcement: “We have one more court member: Peggy Wakeland,” he said to rousing cheers. 

Afternoon alumni events included campus tours with Director of Admission and Enrollment Caroline Corpening Lamsens ’99; the Tailgate & Tours event, featuring caricature artists, face-painting and balloon animals for the youngest Falcons; game-day food, music courtesy of J Mack Slaughter ’02 and his children, J Mack ’33, Vivian ’34 and Stone; and hard-hat tours of the new Lower School building. 

Upper School students carried on a time-honored Homecoming tradition, donning mums for a football game on Howard Family Field in Rosacker Stadium. The senior class also began what might be a new senior Homecoming tradition moving forward: singing the National Anthem. The Falcons took on St. Andrew's Episcopal School, ending their season with a victory, 64-35. At halftime, Alumni Athletes from the Class of 2019 were honored, Jackson Norman (baseball, Trinity University) and Kaitlyn Johnson (track, University of Tulsa), the Homecoming Court was announced with parents joining their students on the field, and the announcement of the King and Queen: Bloemendal and Del Pozzo. 

The fun continued Saturday as the School welcomed alumni back to campus for special morning events, including an art class with former faculty member Evelyn Siegel H’99 and Career Huddles for Breakthrough students, organized by Executive Director of Breakthrough Fort Worth Joe Breedlove ’78. The evening festivities included the Upper School Homecoming dance and alumni milestone reunions from the Class of 1974 celebrating its 50th reunion to the Class of 2014. 

Over two days, the FWCD spirit was amplified throughout the greater Fort Worth area, a true testament to the power of Falcon pride, community, and the friendships that last a lifetime.