The Storm King School campus was filled with family, music, and Cougar spirit during Fall Family Weekend, held Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18. From parent-teacher conferences and student performances to athletic competitions, outdoor excursions, and a lively Trivia Night, the weekend offered families a variety of ways to spend time with their students, connect with one another, and get a taste of life on the Mountain.
Friday: Conferences, Music and Cougar Spirit
Friday began with in-person Parent-Teacher Conferences, giving families an opportunity to meet with teachers and discuss their children’s academic progress and experiences at Storm King. Following the conferences, families gathered in Henderson Dining Hall for a special performance by the SKS Rock Band. Musicians Otis B. ’28 and Peter R. ’27 on guitar, Brandon M. ’29 on drums, and Jialin W. ’28 on keyboard entertained the crowd with classic rock favorites by artists including the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Parents and faculty clapped and sang along as Head of School Lisa Shambaugh welcomed families with a few opening remarks.
The SKS Rock Band performs for families in Henderson Dining Hall.
Parents, faculty and students clap along to the band’s classic rock set.
SKS Cougar spirit continued throughout the afternoon as fans cheered on the home teams in three athletic matchups: JV volleyball against Marvelwood, varsity volleyball against Oakwood, and girls varsity soccer against EF Academy. The day concluded with a formal dinner attended by students, parents, faculty, and staff, providing another opportunity for families and members of the School community to gather.
Girls varsity soccer faces EF Academy on Friday afternoon.
Students, parents, faculty and staff gather in Henderson Dining Hall.
Saturday: Fall Adventures in the Hudson Valley
Saturday’s activities began with brunch before families set out to enjoy the fall season in the Hudson Valley. Options included a family hike in Black Rock Forest, a visit to Storm King Art Center, and opportunities to connect with the College Counseling Office and ask questions about the college process. Meanwhile, the athletic action continued, with boys varsity soccer taking on Oakwood and JV soccer facing Woodhall on the main field.
Families enjoy the fall foliage on Saturday’s outdoor excursions.
JV soccer takes on Woodhall on the main field.
Trivia Night Raises Nearly $14,000
The weekend culminated Saturday evening with Storm King’s annual Trivia Night in the gym, which welcomed the largest crowd in the event’s history. Twelve full teams competed for the top spot, with current parents claiming the win once again. Formerly known as “The Nerds,” the newly renamed “Smarties” took home the first-place trophy. Following a tense tiebreaker question, “Happy Birthday Marco” secured second place, with “The Brainy Bunch” finishing third. The evening raised nearly $14,000 toward the renovation of the boys’ locker room, thanks to the generosity of the Storm King community and the support of event sponsors.
Trivia Night drew the largest crowd in the event’s history.
Whether cheering from the sidelines, exploring the beauty of the Hudson Highlands, sharing a meal, or competing at Trivia Night, this year’s Fall Family Weekend provided plenty of opportunities for families to spend time together and connect with the broader SKS community. With a record turnout for Trivia Night and a weekend full of activities to share in campus life, the event was a memorable celebration of the Storm King community.
