South Kent School’s Annual Cardinal Games continued in spectacular fashion yesterday with our very own Winter Olympics, a day packed with excitement, competition, and unforgettable moments. With classes canceled and a late start to the day, students and faculty embraced the perfect New England winter weather—starting off crisp but quickly warming to a comfortable 31°F under sunny skies.
Advisory teams, consisting of two advisors and their students, rotated through eight different events, testing their skills, teamwork, and school spirit. The competitions ranged from athletic challenges to winter-themed fun, with one particularly popular stop: a s’mores bonfire by the pond, where students could warm up, enjoy some classic winter treats, and sip on hot cocoa, which was available all day.
Unforgettable Moments from the Games:
The Winter Olympics produced plenty of highlight-worthy moments, proving that this event is not just about competition—it’s about community, laughter, and creating memories. Some of the most talked-about moments of the day included:
🔥 Students Ditching Phones for Sleds – At one point, a group of students eagerly handed over their phones just so they could fully enjoy sledding without distractions. A rare sight and a testament to the fun had on the Hillside!
⚾ Harry Scott ’25 vs. Coach Hodge – In what almost became a legendary moment, Harry Scott ’25 nearly struck out Coach Hodge, but Colin got bailed out thanks to a hit-by-pitch. We’ll count it as a close call!
🚀 Brian’s Home Run to the Stratosphere – With the game on the line, Brian Vega ’28 sent a ball into orbit, tying up the score and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
❄️ Telmo’s Sledding Streak – We lost count of how many times Telmo Reino Perez ‘26 flew down the hill, but it was clear he was determined to set a record for most sled runs in a single day.
🏈 QB Javi to WR Zeek for the Game-Winning TD – In a thrilling football showdown, Javier Landin Madrid ‘25 launched a perfect deep ball to Isaiah ‘Zeek’ Young ‘25, who sealed the win with an epic touchdown catch.
🎿 Vignesh’s High-Speed Descent – In a moment reminiscent of National Lampoon’s sledding scene, Vignesh Reddy Paila ‘25 rocketed down the hill at lightning speed, barely avoiding Lew’s on his sled.
More Than Just Games:
While the Winter Olympics were full of competition, the true spirit of the event shone through in the camaraderie, laughter, and shared experiences. Our South Kent Winter Olympics were a reminder of what makes Hillside special—our strong community, our willingness to step outside and enjoy life together, and our ability to turn a simple winter day into an unforgettable event.
As we continue our Cardinal Games, the next round of outdoor Olympics will be in the Spring. Stay tuned.🏅🔥❄️
View all the PHOTOS HERE