Students wandered from the blue to green team last year during Knight Games, an Upper School (US) competition tradition, trying to remember their allegiances. Following the Knighting Ceremony — assigning freshmen to their teams — enthusiasm often fizzled out, and Knight Games became more infrequent.

 This year, US Student Body Co-Presidents Jonathan Andreoli and Salar Sekhavat (both ’26) have introduced several changes to Knight Games, including reducing the number of teams from four to two. Juniors and freshmen will compete on the gold team against seniors and sophomores on the blue team.

 “I hope that this change will make students more excited and involved in Knight Games,” Jonathan said. “Before, students were pretty unmotivated to connect with their team. I hope there can be more of a rivalry. I want people to be proud of their team.”

 Jonathan hopes the condensing of teams builds relationships.

 “When alumni come back, we want them to connect with their Knight Games teammates in other grades and to bond over it,” he said. “We also want there to be no confusion about what team people are on because, previously, people have forgotten and not fully engaged in Knight Games.”

 Jonathan and Salar plan to run Knight Games more frequently, potentially once every two months during assemblies. In addition, they hope to publish scoreboard updates and highlights.

 “The main thing we wanted to do for Knight Games was make them happen more frequently,” Salar said. “It was a fun event, and it was really great, but it wasn’t yet at the point where we felt like the games had become a tradition. What we really hoped to do was make Knight Games something consistent and unifying.”

 Jonathan and Salar said they intend to run basketball games, pizza-box-balancing competitions, Chuck the Duck and tug of war as an offshoot of Knight Games.

 Limited students will be able to participate in competitions, Erin Yu ’27 said.

 “With two teams, that’s going to be way more fun. But with the fewer number of teams, there’s not going to be as many people that get to participate in the bigger events.”

 Erin saw benefits and disadvantages in the new Knight Games format.

 “I actually liked four teams better,” she said. “It did have a sense of individuality, whereas with two, it feels more like a divide. But it will create more excitement and competition because there’s way more of that divide.”

 Sabrine Said ’28 had conflicting thoughts on the changes.

 “I feel like four teams would have made it easier to get to know the people in your group instead of having two teams,” she said. “But I honestly don’t mind the change. It’s an interesting switch up. Since I don’t remember what team I’m on, it’ll be nice to rearrange and get to meet new people.”

 Knight Games balance the rigor of the school day, Sabrine said.

 “It’s definitely going to be a chance to bond with other people in the grades, to be able to let loose, play some games and not have to worry about school for a bit. That will definitely be helpful.”

 US Junior Class Dean and English Teacher Beth McNamara said the success of the changes depends on the students.

 “If students get more excited and more engaged, it’s worth it. However, if the faculty has to make lots of changes depending on the scheduling or not as many kids are engaged, then this will work against the larger goal.”