Choate students traded their usual gold-and-blue outfits for all things pink on Andover Day, as Boar Pen organized a Pink Out event in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer Awareness Month has sparked important conversations across campus and spurred student athletes to compete on Andover Day in support of this meaningful cause.
Choate Boys’ Varsity Water Polo defeated Andover 18-8. Despite falling behind two goals early in the game, the team found its momentum. The decision to move Captain Britt Clark ’28 from his usual defensive position to the wing. Teammate Rowan Kane ’28 was alsoamong the strategic adjustments made to secure the win, as Andover did not score another goal for the next two quarters. Clark also discussed the importance of spectators. “Any time that you score a goal and you look up to the stands, you see 50, 100 people,” he said. “It really gets the team fired up.”
In addition to support from the stands, team chemistry and consistency also helped. Boys’ Water Polo Manager Lola Giraldez Greco ’28 said, “If they ever lack on offense, they just double it down on defense. They have strong communication, strong borders, and strong goalies that are unmatched.” This comes from the players’ ability to anticipate one another’s movements, developed through practice and bonding outside of training.
Meanwhile, Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey had, according to Karolina Zaccareo ’27, “the best [match] we’ve played against them in all of my time [against Andover].” Although they fell to Andover 5-0, Zaccareo said, “the score definitely does not reflect the game, because we had possession [of the ball] a lot of the time.” She highlighted the performance of their midfield and defense and credited their Coach, Ms. Emma Russell, with improving the team’s communication and developing a strategic game plan.
“Our team really showed up,” Zaccareo said. “We hairsprayed all of our hair pink,” she added, highlighting the team’s cohesion and their collective commitment to the theme.
Beyond the results of the matches, Andover Day’s Pink Out bridged athletic performance and community care by making Breast Cancer Awareness Month more visible at Choate. Boar Pen promoted the event through Instagram, Club Hub, and School Meeting. Tori Vollero ’27, a member of Boar Pen and Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey, recalled meeting a Choate parent at the stands who is a breast cancer survivor, demonstrating the personal significance of this event. Vollero said, “Showing appreciation towards survivors and respect is a huge part of it.”
Such sporting events offered students an opportunity to recognize the privilege of competing and to support people facing breast cancer. Karis Wales ’28, a spectator of multiple games, echoed the supportive spirit on campus during Andover Day. “It’s not hard to make an effort towards these kinds of things,” she said. Spectators and athletes showed how small gestures can make a huge difference. Boar Pen is planning ahead to continue this school spirit with other awareness events in the near future.
Andover Day and the Pink Out were crucial factors to encourage students to show up and show out for the community. At Choate, after the final whistles of games, Wild Boars will continue supporting these important causes.