A Happy Homecoming, Despite the Rain

On Saturday, September 23, hundreds of Roxbury Latin fans—students, alumni, faculty, families, and friends—gathered on campus for this season’s Homecoming and Fall Family Day.

The day brought athletic competitions across campus, including varsity matches in cross country, soccer, and football. A special luncheon was held in honor of Mike Pojman, who retired this summer after 43 years of teaching at Roxbury Latin. Several hundred Mike Pojman fans—across several generations—turned out in the Jarvis Refectory to honor Mike, thank him for his long service and deep care, and to hear from three of his former students who delivered heartfelt, funny, inspired, and poignant remarks about one of their friends and mentors. Alex Pascal ’97, a long-time advisee, turned the tables by drafting and delivering his own advisor letter to Mike. Fernando Rodriguez-Villa ’06 elicited lots of laughter as he chronicled some of the antics and lighter moments that were hallmarks of Mike teaching, advising, and friendship. Finally, Billy Quirk ’04 masterfully honored Mike’s 43 years of dedication to RL and its people through the theme of time—the impossible reality that Mike was seemingly everywhere at once, and yet always, always had time for anyone who needed it. Following the three alumni, Headmaster Brennan closed the event by unveiling a portrait of Mike, commissioned by the school, that will hang outside the Chemistry Lab—Mike’s home for so many years.

Following the luncheon, it was on to the games and BBQ—and the rain did nothing to dampen spirits. Prior to the football game, the Latonics performed the National Anthem, and at halftime, on the football field, Sixies and Fifthies battled it out in the annual tug-of-war. (Class V emerged victorious, continuing a years-long championship.)

Finally, the celebrations concluded that evening in the McNay Palaistra, where several hundred alumni—from Class of 1964 to Class of 2019—and their guests gathered for cocktails, dinner, and happy conversation, marking special reunion years.

View a complete gallery of Reunion, Homecoming, and Fall Family Day photos, taken by Evan Scales.