More than 200 students from the graduating classes of 2009-12 returned to Harker’s upper school campus during their winter break for the informal annual alumni event Home for the Holidays.

The college-aged alumni were joined by more than 30 faculty and staff members for the Jan. 2 gathering held in the Nichols Hall atrium, which was decorated with balloons in school colors and bouquets of flowers in “Harker Alumni” tumblers.

More than two dozen of the alumni present at the event were “K-Lifers,” having attended Harker from kindergarten through the upper school. They were especially enjoying reconnecting with old friends during the gathering. Others noted how well Harker had prepared them for the academic rigors of university life.

MaryEllis Deacon, director of alumni relations, said she was pleased to see how welcome alumni had been made to feel on their visit, which began with faculty and staff greeting them as they arrived on campus. Before gathering in the atrium later in the day, many alumni sat in on classes, played sports on Davis Field and ate lunch in the Edge with old friends.

Seeing the Edge again reminded Cindy Tay ’12, a current student at Duke University, of special times spent simply hanging out, including “one lazy afternoon, talking and eating tangerines with friends in the bistro.”

“We want our alumni to know they are always welcome here, and to keep in touch. We hope Harker will continue to be a part of their extended family …  a community to return to, and a home away from home,” said Deacon.