Storm King School spirit was on full display during Reunion Weekend 2026 as alumni, families, and friends returned to the Mountain. From a visit to Storm King Art Center and hard hat tours of the new academic center to a live performance by the “Once Again Together” band, this year’s celebration brought together generations of alumni for memorable experiences and meaningful community connection.

The weekend began with a Friday afternoon visit to Storm King Art Center, where guests enjoyed a tram tour through the renowned sculpture park before gathering beneath the Pavilion for conversation and refreshments. As the group made their way to the reception tent, they arrived just moments before the rain began to fall. Fortunately, the skies cleared by the end of the afternoon, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable group photo.

On Saturday morning, alumni gathered at Memorial Rock to speak of old friends and cherished community members. Head of School Lisa Shambaugh spoke to the importance of sharing personal stories, noting, “We are carrying on their legacies and memories, and we are saying their names, but not for the last time. In these stories we will share, they live on with us.” The Memorial Rock gathering concluded with a delicious barbecue lunch on Ledoux Terrace, where alumni reminisced, reconnected, and enjoyed the sunny mountain weather. 

This year’s Reunion Weekend offered a unique opportunity to experience a pivotal moment in Storm King’s history. Alumni, past faculty members, and friends eagerly donned hard hats and toured the construction site of the new Irving and Muriel Fischer Academic Center. With more than half of the structure already in place, visitors had the chance to walk through the future home of innovative learning and gain insight into the building’s design and construction. The Storm King community looks forward to welcoming alumni, faculty, staff, and friends back next year to celebrate the dedication of the completed Irving and Muriel Fischer Academic Center.

Later in the afternoon, the community gathered in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre for the Alumni Awards presentation. Ross Carnes ’66 was inducted into the SKS Sports Hall of Fame, while this year’s Alumni Arts Awards were presented to Rick Reynolds ’71 and Jay Schumann ’71. The Humanitarian Award was presented to Thomas “TJ” Cote ’01 by his husband, William, with the assistance of their children, Arlo and Claire.

While each recipient delivered heartfelt remarks reflecting on their achievements and experiences, one message from William resonated particularly deeply. Reflecting on TJ’s tenacity, kindness, and integrity, he shared, “What he found here at Storm King: that sense of belonging, of being seen, of chosen family—it didn’t stop with him. It extends to our kids. It extends to me. And in many ways, it extends to everyone he touches. The kid who once felt like he didn’t quite fit in became the man who makes sure other people do. And Storm King is where that began.”

Following the Awards Ceremony, alumni gathered on Ledoux Terrace to enjoy live music and a tasting hosted by City Winery. The “Once Again Together” band performed the soundtrack for the afternoon, featuring alumni Scott Cantor ’73, Rick Reynolds ’71, Dan Lipson ’75, and Phil Cunningham ’72. The terrace gathering also spotlighted Glenn Fidelholtz ’74, who shared and signed copies of his debut novel, Operation Taiwan. As the band closed its set with a final song, alumni made their way to Orr Commons for the dinner banquet.

Dinner was held in Henderson Dining Hall, where laughter and conversation filled familiar corridors. The evening concluded with conversations around the fire pit and a Knicks watch party in the Smidt Conference Room.

Reunion 2026 was a celebration of connection, reflection, friendship, and remembrance, demonstrating how the strength of the Storm King community and its rich history continue to shape a vibrant future. Throughout the weekend, the Mountain came alive with the energy of generations united by shared experiences and the enduring sense of community that defines The Storm King School.