On Monday, October 17, students and faculty came to school ready to begin a new year of Spirit Week. With Jell-O Eating’s return last year, students arrived with not just big appetites, but with new knowledge and strategies.

Following the Slimy Fish Toss, Upper School students headed over to the Fox Den, where the Jell-O-eating tables were set up. Each grade’s designated Jell-O eater set up with their classmates chanting and hyping them up.

Dean of Students Will Miller then came out for one final check before giving his ominous countdown.

The surprise of the day was Makayla Baynard ’24 coming in first. After a late dropout from Grace Ward-Gallagher ’24, Baynard stepped in and delivered. She came in with a strategy despite such short notice: “ I [went] around the corners first and then [went] to the sides.”

Noah Frizell ’25 came close behind in second place. Despite not finishing first, Frizell was still excited about his placement: “Honestly, I’m pretty glad about second … I was hoping for first, but second is still good out of four.”

Amiya Sant ’26 helped the ninth grade make a statement with her third place finish.

For the second year in a row, the class of 2023 came in last place with their representative, Alex Kwak ’23. The twelfth grade objected to this ranking and claimed that there was more Jell-O left over in other contestants’ plates around the corners and sides than in their own. Many Seniors complained that Miller had stopped the other contestants, and Baynard in particular, earlier than he should have.

Andrew Mercantini ’23 said the ruling was not fair; however, he indicated he is still optimistic about the rest of the week: “Clearly the juniors had way more in the plate, but it’s good; we will be back tomorrow and Wednesday.”