News Staff Reporter
There are many beautiful, aesthetically pleasing places on Choate’s campus: the Science Center pond, the upper athletic fields, Ned Gallagher’s office – must I continue? However, there is one place on campus that is easily the fairest of them all: Memorial Circle.
Commonly referred to as “Mem. Circle,” this field lies in the heart of campus. Its borders are prominent dorms like Logan Munroe, Nichols, Atwater, Mead, Pitman, Gables, Further Cottage, East Cottage, and Memorial House – from which it derives its name. Not to be excluded, the dorms across North Elm and Christian Streets only are a short walk away from the field. Every season, students and faculty members make pilgrimage to Memorial Circle at one point or anther, and with relatively little change over the years, the field has permanently become a symbolic venue at Choate.
Each season during the school year is somehow associated with Memorial Circle are the three seasons that occur during the academic school year. During the fall, Memorial Circle is the place where one can take advantage of the mild weather; and perhaps partake in or cheer on a game of touch football, ultimate Frisbee, and even golf. Choate community members of all ages participate in the fun and friendly competition that such athletics encourage. I remember once playing a touch football game and dropping a relatively easy pass thrown to me by the quarterback. I never felt more ashamed in my life. My teammates were yelling at me, the spectators had nothing nice to say either, and the gleeful smirks on the faces of my opponents made me want to crawl into a hole and hibernate until spring. Still, on the ensuing play, I went deep and caught a beautiful pass, scoring a touchdown. It was joy beyond all comparison. I went from feeling like a loathed scapegoat to a glorified hero. Memorial Circle provides opportunity for moments like these that are simply unforgettable. When winter rolls in, the activity on Memorial Circle slows, but does not completely go away. Early this winter, a mammoth snowball fight ensued, engaging at least 100 students. PGs belted tiny freshman with large snowballs and both boys and girls performed fiercely in an full-scale attack against each other. It was incredibly fun. Also, there are the occasional snow-football games where only the bravest weather the arctic conditions to participate. I remember getting mauled and tackled by Ryan Stewart ’06, but all in good fun, of course.
As the snow melts and the grass becomes greener, the activity on Memorial Circle intensifies. People literally spend whole weekends out on the field. Students might bring work to do, but it never gets done. They have way to much fun hanging out or playing in a competitive game. Interestingly, volleyball is probably the most competitive sport played on the field. Fast and exhilarating, volleyball often elicits emotions one does not usually see exhibited by other people.
The girls JV softball team even plays on the diamond that lies in the middle of the field. “Well, it is very bumpy. I actually got hit in the mouth with a ball because it hit a ditch and bounced up. Memorial Field needs to be repaired before softball season,” remarks JV softball player Caroline Luby ‘06. Although the field might need to be redone, it is still a place where cherished memories are formed by the girls who play.
It is on this same field that the traditional President’s Cup occurs. The Cup is a softball tournament held among the dormitories at Choate. The Cup represents house pride, competitiveness, and overall sportsmanship. The games often bring out big crowds of student and faculty members who find the games fun and exciting to watch.
Whenever students lounge and relax on the grand contours of Memorial Circle, the thought of books and studies are never on their minds. Tyler Jorgensen ’06 says “Memorial Circle is a great place where students can leave their rigorous academic work for a moment and mingle with other students, even the coeds.” Memorial Circle is also the sight for break, where students of all ages talk and eat delicious goods. Faculty members too get good use out of the field, as many walk their dogs and participate in the various activities that happen on Memorial Circle. Memorial Circle helps to build and maintain camaraderie amongst the Choate students. Its hallowed grounds have endured the comings and goings of many students, but its presence at Choate has been the same for many years. The fondest memories that Choate students will leave with will probably be from what they did on Memorial Field. My father, class of 1975, remembers his days of ultimate Frisbee on Memorial Field where even he and his friends would often play. There is really no better place on campus then Memorial Circle and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
