Each year, before the MICDS Homecoming Game and Dance, the Homecoming Bonfire lights up the night, bringing together students, alumni, and faculty. The event’s fiery display–complete with bagpipes, torches, and roaring flames–is a cherished tradition in the MICDS community that has evolved over time. 

“It’s all about tradition,” Amy Zlatic, Marketing Director, said. “The bonfire goes back to our days when we were two separate schools, and it was a tradition of Country Day. It has grown to be a whole community thing, especially with the addition of the food trucks. So we’ve got all families with kids of all ages gathering for the food trucks, and then they all stick around for the parade, which has grown school spirit at this point,” Zlatic said. 

While the bonfire has remained a homecoming fixture, some traditions have changed.

“They used to burn an effigy as part of it—they would have a dummy that they would burn, dressed up in Burroughs colors,” said Chris Rappleye, English teacher. “The change to a bomb for the bomber was a deliberate change to move into something more civilized symbolism.” 

One key aspect of the bonfire is the role of the seniors, particularly the football players, who carry the torches that ignite the fire, surrounded by cheerleaders. 

“At first, I thought the bonfire was really weird,” cheerleader Maggie McGinness ‘27 said. “But once I participated, I saw how much tradition and history it held. It made me feel more connected to the school community.”

“There’s something powerful about generations of students experiencing the same traditions,” Rappleye said. “It ties people to the school in a way that classes and buildings can’t.”

The bonfire is one part of a larger celebration during homecoming weekend. The event has expanded to include a parade, an all-school pep rally, and a carnival for younger students. 

“Most schools have homecoming just for the high school,” said Zlatic. “We focus on making it a community event, with activities that engage students of all ages, families, and alumni.”

So, is the bonfire a preserved piece of MICDS culture or a strange ritual? If it’s the latter, it is a ritual of school spirit, community, and history–a fire that should keep burning.