LucyAmbrose

Hundreds of girls dressed head-to-toe in color-coded costumes, shouting chants and dancing in sync. To an outsider, it might look a little intense-maybe even cult-like. But this is not a strange ritual, it’s the beloved ritual.

To the uninitiated, Field Day may seem like just a day of dress-up and dancing. But for the students involved, it’s a tradition that teaches real-world skills, teamwork, communication, leadership and even budgeting. Still, it’s hard to fully grasp what it is from the outside. 

Simone Bonacci ‘26, a new student this year, was caught off guard by how big of a deal Field Day really is. 

“What surprised me the most is how early people start preparing. Weeks in advance, it’s all anyone wants to talk about,” she said. 

“There are so many people who aren’t even from Marian that come to watch–girls from other schools, families and even prospective students. It’s cool to see how big of a community it creates. Everyone has a vital role.”

The event is led by six Class Officers, but it truly is an entire grade effort. It is impossible to succeed unless everyone is invested. 

Bonacci, who transferred from Fort Calhoun, said her old school has a field day in elementary levels, but it is nothing compared to Marian’s Field Day. 

“It was obstacles, tug-of-war–stuff like that. Marian’s Field Week is so much more creative and interesting,” she said. 

“At first, I didn’t really get it. But now, the closer we get to the big day, the more it makes sense. People kept telling me, ‘You just have to experience it.’ And they were right.”

Ms. Mary Bruegman, a new faculty member in the arts department and the freshman cheer moderator echoed that sentiment. 

“I had no idea what I was getting into,” she laughed. “Honestly, I still don’t know how to explain it to people. You really do have to see it to believe it.” 

Bruegman, who went to Millard West, said her high school had fun events like post prom and a junior takeover, but nothing on this scale.

”The energy in the halls this week has been amazing,” she said. “My favorite part is the costumes. I love seeing everyone walking around in their team colors, fully committed.”

From the outside, Marian’s Field Day might look like chaos. But from the inside, it’s a beautiful spirited tradition that brings the whole school together in a unique way.

A big part of the event is based on unity. Whether it is coming together as a class or relying on other grades for help, the whole school is invested and comes together to support each other. 

Clara Kizer ’26 and Simone Bonacci ’26 pose for a picture at Simone’s first ever Field Day. The Spin to Win juniors took second place. Photo courtesy of Simone Bonacci.