Another year at Taft is coming to an end, one filled with big wins, late-night study sessions, countless speakers, and plenty of time spent with friends. As 2025 closes and Spotify Wrapped takes over everyone’s phones, we decided to make one of our own to reflect on some of Taft’s biggest and best moments of the year.
Starting off strong: Taft varsity sports teams won 193 games this year! The standout, of course, was Boys Varsity Soccer, New England Champions with an undefeated season and 20 total wins. Their dominance set the tone for a year where Rhinos excelled everywhere the season took them. Whether on the squash courts, the track, the rink, or the fields, each team delivered strong performances that reflected the determination and spirit of Taft athletes.
The dining hall also had its share of memorable moments, starting with an impressive 32 burger days this year. This Thursday classic remains a favorite across campus, but special meals brought even more excitement. Valentine’s dinner featured charcuterie boards, cheeses, crackers, and an assortment of chocolate desserts, while the Thanksgiving dinner spread, complete with roasted beef, turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, offered the perfect send-off before break. Whether you keep it simple with pizza or craft your own custom bowl, the dining hall continues to serve fresh, creative dishes that Tafties look forward to each week.
The Arts Department delivered an extraordinary year as well, putting on six productions that highlighted the incredible range of student talent. The winter, spring, and fall dance showcases brought everything from hip hop to contemporary to salsa to the stage, each performance filled with energy and precision. Theater students shone in The Importance of Being Earnest, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Pippin, embracing everything from Oscar Wilde’s wit to hip-hop choreography for the dance showcases. Each production reaffirmed that Taft artists bring dedication and passion to everything they create.
The most iconic moment of the entire year was, of course, Red Rally. Without a doubt, it stood out as the highlight of the fall—and arguably of 2025 as a whole. Weeks of planning, late-night rehearsals, and spirited costume crafting built up to a high-energy event led by this year’s MCs, Ms. Drakeley and Mr. Adamson. Students packed into Bingham decked out in every shade of red imaginable, and as the final cheers echoed across the auditorium, the school spirit was unmistakable. The energy carried through the rest of the week, all the way to Lakeville for Hotchkiss Day, where Tafties showed up ready to cheer on the Rhinos against the Bearcats.
Another highlight of the year: the official #1 photo location of 2025—Potter’s Pond. After years at the top, the Voge hallway has finally been dethroned. Before dances, sit-downs, and end-of-year celebrations, the pond became the go-to backdrop, with groups of friends lining up for the perfect shot. With its reflections, trees, and year-round natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Potter’s Pond claimed the top spot.
Taft has had an incredible 2025, filled with friends, festivity, and fun. And while it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the year, the new one brings a fresh chance to make even more memories. Here’s to carrying the spirit of 2025 into everything that comes next.
