Harwood celebrates its second annual Harvest Fest, October 6-10. A pep rally kicks it off and the school homecoming dance caps it. Homecoming week is a fall version of Spirit Week – one of the school’s long-standing traditions. “This is our continued work to give back to the community,” said principal Megan McDonough. “We hope to continue to grow and continue to provide opportunities to give back to the community at large.”
Monday begins with an afternoon pep rally, celebrating fall sports teams. The girls’ volleyball teams play Montpelier at home in the afternoon: the JV team plays at 4 p.m. and the varsity game is at 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, Harwood hosts its annual college fair, with around 45 colleges from around the country attending. TAs will carve pumpkins for a schoolwide competition. The girls’ soccer team plays Lake Region at 4 p.m., with food available from Woodbury Pizza and Paprika Empanadas’ food trucks. Food can also be purchased from the Harwood Boosters tent. Proceeds support Harwood co-curriculars. Harwood’s Open House lasts from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and attendees can “learn more about programs at Harwood, including the high school Cultural Exchange programs and the middle school’s Roots & Ripples program.
On Wednesday, the girls’ field hockey team has its senior night before playing Milton at 4 p.m.
Thursday marks the official Harvest Fest. In lieu of classes, students undertake a day of service in the community. The middle schoolers will complete their service on-campus and at Living Tree Alliance. Freshmen and sophomores will volunteer for community tasks with Friends of the Mad River, Sugarbush, and the Waterbury Rotary, etc. Juniors will complete their service in district schools, assisting with garden work, classroom support, and prepping for the Waitsfield Elementary Ski and Skate Sale. Seniors leave early Thursday for Mad River Glen for Mountain Day, where they will complete their service on the mountain. They will hike, play lawn games, and enjoy a potluck.
Harvest Fest service counts towards a service requirement for graduation. To participate in the graduation ceremony, students must complete at least 10 service hours. To ease into this new requirement, students need to complete five this school year. Subsequently they will need 10.
Friday is an in-service day. Students will not be at school, but the Harvest Fest and homecoming festivities will continue. On Saturday, the girls’ volleyball team plays Missisquoi at home with the JV game at 11 a.m. and the varsity game at 12:30. The Alumni Social, held by Harwood’s Boosters Club, will be held at the Big Picture theater in Waitsfield from 2 to 5 p.m. “The social is meant to encourage people to come back and to help support Boosters and our co-curriculars,” said McDonough. “We reap what we sow, and we want to build pride in our community.”
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