Founder’s Day Tradition Honors Eliza Bailey Masters

10/9/2024

School spirit and pride were on full display as students dressed in blue and red gathered for Founder’s Day on Graduation Terrace on Friday, September 27.

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The annual event, hosted by the Dobbs Athletic Association (DAA), is an opportunity for the entire community to reflect on and celebrate the history and traditions of The Masters School. Students and faculty wear their team colors: blue for Delta and red for Phi, which combined make the school color, purple.

Head of School Laura Danforth kicked off the all-school event by sharing some history about school founder Eliza Bailey Masters.

“Today, we honor Eliza Masters for what she created for thousands of young people,” Danforth said. “Each of us is here because of a vision she had and a determination that she embodied to build us a school with her might.”

“History is the cradle of life,” said Binh Vu, middle school DAA coordinator and middle school math teacher. “I think it’s very important for purple Panthers to learn about their origins and the impact of Eliza Masters’ legacy. We can only strive to be a better power for good in the world if we gain a better perspective of where we came from.”

After Ms. Danforth’s remarks, DAA co-presidents Brian Wolfson ’25 and Anna Shub ’25 got the crowd revved up for some friendly competition.

The traditional Delta vs. Phi tug-of-war took place on Greene Family Field, followed by the inaugural PantherFest carnival for middle school students near Park Cottage.

“Founder’s Day not only celebrates the founding of our School, but also bridges the gaps between the grades by creating unity as people work toward the common goal of winning for their respective teams,” Wolfson said. “School spirit continued into the evening as students cheered on the boys varsity soccer team.”

Meghan MacWilliams, associate dean of ethical leadership and co-advisor of DAA, explained the importance of the annual event for students.

“Traditions help create memories,” she said. “Students will often remember exactly what happened to their team every year that they participated in Founder’s Day. It’s traditions that also tie students together with alumnae/i, faculty and classmates.”