Sunday, April 27, 2025
Baldwin High School is gearing up for its annual Sportsnite, a tradition that celebrates teamwork, unity and the lasting bonds formed through shared experiences — continuing the school’s legacy of community spirit.
March 8 marks the event’s 92nd year, and co-coordinators Julianna Polo and Kathryn Thiel have worked to honor its legacy and boost school pride. Polo, a 2016 Baldwin High graduate, took part in Sportsnite throughout her four years as a student. Last year was her first time coordinating the event.
“Last year was a very big learning experience,” said Polo, who went on to earn a degree in education at Hofstra University and is now an English as a New Language teacher at the high school. “When I started working in Baldwin three years ago, I joined as an adviser, and it was the first time kind of seeing behind the scenes in that way. I’d say it was a 360 moment, because I never thought that I would have been in this position.”
For Thiel, a 2007 BHS graduate who is now an art teacher, this year marks her first time coordinating the event. “It’s an honor to be back,” she said. “It’s an amazing program — a cherished tradition.”
Since its inception in 1933, Sportsnite has been one of the most anticipated and enduring traditions in the community. Founded by a physical education teacher named Ethel T. Kloberg, the event was designed to foster unity and school spirit among female students through friendly athletic competition.
What began as a modest gathering of athletes has since evolved into a weeklong celebration of camaraderie, showcasing the talents of not only students, but faculty as well.
Students are divided into two teams, Blue and Gold. The week leading up to Sportsnite is filled with a variety of athletic challenges, cheerleading performances and spirited competitions, culminating in the final event, which features more competition as well as skits and a closing ceremony.
BHS seniors Lauren Bregel and Megan Lopez will captain the Blue Team, which has chosen “Blue’s Clues” as its theme. Seniors Hunter McKenzie and Kaylah Santesteban will lead the Gold Team, whose theme is “GoldWonka.”
Behind the scenes, Polo and Thiel have been organizing the event since December, sending emails to staff scheduled to work, reaching out to local businesses for apparel sponsorships, and securing awards for several ceremonies.
“It’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes,” Polo said. “But when you see it come together in this final sports week, you can just take a seat back and say, wow, look at all this hard work that went into this beautiful program.”
The event kicked off last Saturday with a preview, and was scheduled to be followed by a sneak preview on Monday, Father-Daughter Night on Tuesday, Family Day on Wednesday, the Blue and Gold Banquet on Thursday, a Tea Dance on Friday and the main event on Saturday.
Polo and Thiel emphasize that Sportsnite remains meaningful to those who have participated, with its impact lasting for years. “It’s an honor to be back and to celebrate the program,” Thiel said. “It’s something extraordinary, and it’s lovely to see the girls and be able to prepare them for their big night.”
“It’s special because it brings you together as a community,” Polo added. “I feel like people I’ve met in Baldwin, just because I’m in Sportsnite or participated in it, will say, ‘Oh my God, so did I.’ You don’t really realize how many people Sportsnite has impacted in the community until you get out there and meet other generations of people.”
