24 | Summer 2017 Mr. Peter Amidon ’90 and Mr. Craig Head celebrate 20 years of Bengal Games. Mr. Craig Head at an early Bengal Games. Bengal Games 20: the Tradition Continues For the past 20 years, Greensboro Day School students, K-12, come together for the annual Bengal Games. History of Bengal Games Bengal Games was the idea of two former teachers, Middle School teacher, Peter Amidon ’90, and Upper School teacher, Chris Ryan. In 1998, Peter and Chris came together to create Bengal Games in the words of Peter, “to bring the whole school together – students, teachers, administration, parents – to have fun and promote school spirit.” Peter recalls taking the idea to the administration – first with Dr. Ed Dickinson and then Dr. Ralph Davison. They were immediately supportive and found money for t-shirts. The idea was presented to faculty and two months later, the first Bengal Games took place in early May. Peter and Chris wanted to keep the event simple and to only last half a school day. Each team would participate in three activities. There would be 30 teams (approximately two students from each grade on a team). These 30 teams would roll up to 5 Super Teams. The 5 Super Teams colors represented the colors from the Olympic Flag. Similar to the Olympics, they planned an opening and closing ceremonies. They also developed scorecards and the puzzle box concept, both of which still happen today. Over these 20 years, the overall day really hasn’t changed. Mr. Craig Head later became involved and has been an advocate and leader ever since. Students accepted the concept right away. Peter remembers, “The first year in 1998, we somehow did a live video chat with a zoo that had a Bengal tiger. The quality of the feed wasn’t great and I’m sure the kids had no idea what was going on. But when the zoo trainer held up the Bengal tiger photo on the video screen, the students erupted in cheers. At BG4, we found out where the Clemson tiger mascot was made and had them make one for us. Then the Clemson Tiger mascot came up and put on the costume for the reveal in closing ceremonies.” In 2003, during BG6, Bengal Games became a way for the school to give back to the community. Seeking a sponsor for each super team, the sponsor would then donate $1 for each point the team earned to a local organization This tradition has carried on to present day giving approximately $70,000 to area non-profits. There is so much value in Bengal Games for the GDS Community. It brings the whole community together. It creates buddies with the upper and lower school students. It allows students to travel around the campus yelling and screaming and having fun. After all, it is their campus and the student body should be proud to be a Bengal!