Fall 2024: Semester Recap

The school year began with excitement as new friendships formed, old friends reunited, and classes got underway. This year is particularly special as Davidson Day School celebrates its 25th anniversary, a milestone that has brought an extra layer of energy and pride to our community.

The anniversary celebrations kicked off in early September with Davidson Day’s Birthday Party on September 4th and the Patriot Celebration & Family Picnic on September 6th. These events were a wonderful opportunity to honor our school’s history while looking ahead to its bright future. Students explored nostalgic 90s toys, wrote letters to their future selves, and joined together to sing "Happy Birthday!" to Davidson Day.

At the end of September, while our fifth through 12th graders were on their annual class trips, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina and the southeast. Although many trips were shortened due to the storm, our students still made lasting memories with their classmates. Upon returning to campus, our community came together to support those affected by the hurricane’s devastation — a testament to the compassion and resilience of our Patriot family.

In early October, Spirit Week was filled with school pride! On October 3rd, at Under the Lights, we honored our senior fall student-athletes and Wolter Field Renovation donors, and the festivities continued with a spirited pep rally on October 4th.

October was also a month to remember for Davidson Day Athletics, as our Varsity teams brought home two state championship trophies on October 26th! Our Varsity Volleyball team bested Asheville Christian Academy to win their title, and our Varsity Boys Soccer team beat Cape Fear Academy to bring home the second trophy of the school year. Both teams won state championships last year in the 2A NCISAA division, and this year, after moving into the 3A division, our Patriots proved they have what it takes to compete with big North Carolina independent schools. We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes!


Our Performing Arts Department showcased its talent throughout the semester with outstanding performances. Ms. Gerdy and the Upper School theater students captivated audiences with The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane; Ms. Griswold’s Musical Theatre Club delighted everyone with their rendition of The Aristocats; and Mr. Friedline and Ms. Howell’s Contemporary Ensemble wowed audiences with a memorable performance.

The Middle School Band also had a busy semester, performing at events including the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500, Davidson Day’s and the Town of Davidson’s Veterans Day ceremonies, Christmas in Davidson, the North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade, and their Winter Band Concert.

• Junior Kindergarten meeting the Davidson Fire and Police Departments during their Community Helpers unit
• Kindergarten visiting Hodges Farm to learn about farming and animals
• Third grade exploring fossils, plants, and the planetarium at the Schiele Museum
• Fourth grade diving into physics during a trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame
  
  

In November, alongside Mr. Saunders, ten AFAR students traveled to Calgary, Canada, to present their AFAR research at the Mount Royal University Archaeology Conference. We are so proud of our students for analyzing, organizing, and presenting their research on a global stage. Read more about their experience and presentations here!

This semester, our Middle School students demonstrated the importance of giving back through impactful service projects. From volunteering with Food for Days and Champion House of Care to supporting the Kindness Closet and Supportive Housing Communities, our students made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

As we close out a truly memorable fall semester, we look forward to all the opportunities, celebrations, challenges, and successes that await us in the new year. Thank you to our entire Davidson Day community for making this semester one to remember!