Amanda Jones ’20: EA/Haverford week and day is full of traditions from clash day to the annual sport events. Another famous tradition is the EA/Haverford T-shirt. Many students may still own the 2010 “Got Stripes?” T-shirt or the 2013 “Time to Locke ‘em Up” shirt featuring Dr. Locke and Dr. Dinkins, that are frequent at sporting events and school festivities. The famous t-shirts are created and designed by the senior class. Mr. Willis, the senior Form Dean explains, “The senior dean will reach out to the class and ask for submission ideas. Then the dean meets with student council and they decide which submission would be best for the t-shirt.”
Submissions for the shirt can come from all grades, although a senior’s design is almost always chosen. “Though I didn’t formally open the process to other grades, I asked the seniors. A bunch of students submit ideas, and it actually wasn’t just seniors who submitted this year. But typically the t-shirt is a fundraiser for the senior class, so generally it stays within the senior class. It is a point of pride for seniors to have that art on the t-shirt,” says Willis.
In years past, that art has reflected aspects of the school community. “There isn’t anything specific, but I think because seniors have been here for three or four years or longer, they attribute different memories to that shirt. A lot of seniors felt that the t-shirt should always have a cartoon on it.”
This year’s design is very different from past shirts, mainly because the actual t-shirt is navy blue, instead of white. This year’s design by Emma Howley ‘17 is based off of the Thunderdome, Episcopal’s student section. The back of the shirt says, “You’ve been thunder struck,” with a picture of the student section and the AIS owl and the Haverford horse being affected by the cheers. It seems to be a popular shirt among the senior class. Philip Persaud ‘17 said, “I like the fact that it’s long sleeved since it gets really cold. I also like the front design. AJ Marcucci ‘17 also commented, “I like them a lot this year; I like how they are blue instead of white. The design on the back is cool because it represents our student section.”
Each t-shirt is to be sold for $20 and the profits will go to the senior class fund. The money will generally be spent towards the senior gift that every graduating class gives to the school at the end of the year. “One year it’s a painting that is hanging in the campus center, another year it’s adirondak chairs or the clock out on the green. Last year they donated money to a scholarship fund. The senior class will determine where they think those funds should go, and what legacy they want to leave. Although, that money could also go towards a cheaper class event or a cheaper prom,” says Willis.
Willis concludes of the shirt design that, “It is really collaborative effort. We really wanted to represent the entire Episcopal community. So the student council doesn’t just think what t-shirt would be best for the seniors, but also what t-shirt the kindergarteners would love.”