Last Days of School

Our last two days on campus were full ones indeed, overflowing with grade-based activities and community togetherness.

In the Middle School, students enjoyed their final Clubs activity of the year on Tuesday, and the 7th and 8th grade had a Meeting for Worship while 5th and 6th enjoyed outdoor games. After lunch, the entire Middle School headed to the ACAC water park for some pool ful, despite the cooler temps. On Wednesday, yearbooks were distributed, then everyone picked from an array of fun activities before our final all-school Meeting for Worship on the front lawn.

In the Upper School on Tuesday, 9th graders went to Triple C for the day to take on a leadership and communication challenge (high and low ropes). 10th graderswent to Picasso Swig to create art masterpieces, eating lunch on the Downtown Mall. 11th graders went to The Escape Room to challenge themselves, eating lunch on the Downtown Mall. All three grades spent the afternoon swimming at Fry's Spring. On Wednesday morning, we held the Upper School Awards presentation, followed by yearbook distribution and the final All-School Meeting for Worship.

Seniors enjoyed two special days of celebration - they spent Tuesday together at King's Dominion. Later that evening, seniors and faculty shared their Senior/Faculty Dinner, a lovely potluck shared by faculty and seniors alone, during which they share memories and stories. The Class of 2023 then began a new tradition with the inaugural Senior Sunset event. Held the evening of their last FULL day of school at Tandem, Senior Sunset was the brainchild of Upper School Director Russell Combs, brought with him from his previous school. After their special dinner together, seniors and faculty gathered outside, played games, and watched the sunset on the hillside near the fields. Fire pits and s'mores played a part in the evening, as did a senior class photo taken during the sunset. It offered seniors the opportunity to both literally watch the sunset as they watch the sun set on their time at Tandem. When school begins in the fall, the Class of 2024 will add another new tradition - Senior Sunrise, and these Sunrise and Sunset events will bookend their senior years on campus. Check out photos from the inaugural Senior Sunset and other grade activities and final farewells this week.