Way to go, Bulldogs! The Dwight-Englewood Fights Against Cancer (D-EFAC) club hosted its annual March Madness basketball tournament last week, raising almost $1,775 for the CancerCare organization, which provides free professional support services and information for people managing cancer. Teams of five students signed up to play, and spectators paid $5 for an entry ticket bracelet for the week and purchased raffle tickets for special prizes. Students also voted through cash donations on which faculty member would get a pie in the face during halftime of the final game—and the lucky recipient (and good sport!) was Mr. Bryant, Dean of the Class of 2028. The week also included a Lunch and Learn with a representative from CancerCare. “March Madness is a really important event for D-EFAC because we are able to get the whole Upper School involved in our fight against cancer through a fun activity,” said club leader Alden Stewart ’27. “Everyone looks forward to this event each year—it’s so rewarding seeing everyone supporting their friends and wearing bracelets throughout the week.” Congrats to The Masters team on their hard-fought win—and to everyone who participated in rallying for a great cause and “making it better”!

It’s not too late to reserve your tickets to CARRIE! Remaining performances are tonight, March 6, at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, March 7, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Award-winning composer Michael Gore ESB ’69, an alumnus of D-E with an extraordinary connection to the production (he composed the music for CARRIE: The Musical), sent this heartfelt message to our incredible cast and crew: “Along with my other collaborators—Lawrence D. Cohen, who wrote the book, and Dean Pitchford, who wrote the lyrics—we wanted to reach out to wish all of you a successful run this weekend. I hope you’ve had as good a time working on our show as we had writing it… it feels like a gift in this full circle moment that you guys are doing CARRIE at the very school that gave me four wonderful years and helped prepare me for both Yale University and the world beyond. Break a leg tonight and know that my colleagues and I are thinking of you and sending all our best!” Don’t miss your chance to see CARRIE.

Puppy power! This week the Lower School’s second graders got a visit from Caryl Swain, the Vice President of the New Jersey Chapter of Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization that trains and places service dogs. “Puppy raiser” Caryl brought her golden labrador, Chia, a service-dog-in-training and the 17th dog she has raised. Caryl answered questions from inquisitive students, such as how long it takes to train a pup (18 months) and what happens when a dog doesn’t graduate (the puppy raiser will keep the dog as a pet), and demonstrated the commands Chia had learned so far. Second Grade Teacher Ms. Dijkstra connected with Caryl years ago in Englewood and invited her to speak to her class about the organization. According to Ms. Dijkstra, this year will be the 15th year Canine Companions has visited second graders. “It has been such a meaningful experience for our students, who have a greater understanding of people with physical and mental disabilities and how these service dogs help them,” said Ms. Dijkstra. “Older students see Caryl on campus each spring out and about in Englewood and still say hello to her.” Paws up for Caryl and her four-legged heroes!