By Jack Horsman ’18
On Monday, September 23 one of the best and longest running traditions continues at Lawrence Academy. That tradition, of course, being Mountain Day.
“I’m psyched!” exclaimed Rob Moore, Associate Head of School and Mountain Day enthusiast. “I think it’s a great tradition! It’s one that’s hard to keep in the schedule because everybody wants class time, but what are kids going to remember – more class time or that they climbed a mountain together?”
Mr. Moore jests, but this memorable tradition has been going on for over 130 years, dating all the way back to the 19th century.
“[Mountain Day] got started in 1885 with a bunch of boys from the school hiring a horse and buggy and going to Wachusett,” Mr. Moore explained. “My favorite part of Mountain Day is running into people I don’t know very well either climbing up or climbing down and just talking with them.”
Every year, during the Friday assembly before the big climb on the following Monday, Mr. Moore makes an announcement to the students about this extraordinary annual rite.
“I woke up this morning and it was 40 degrees. I said ‘I have to put on shorts and sneakers because I’m going like I’m dressed for Mountain Day,’” Mr. Moore remarked. “I have to go over to lunch and make a big deal out of [being] dressed for Mountain Day.”
“I’ll just be around and people will be like ‘Hey, Mr. Moore, you ready for Mountain Day?’ I sort of hype it up a little bit, but I do that for the kids so that they get excited,” Mr. Moore concluded. “It is a really great day for LA.”