Baldwin High School carried on one of its longest-standing traditions in March, as students took the stage for the 93rd annual Sportsnite, a weeklong celebration of school spirit, creativity and teamwork. After an evening of performances, the Gold Team defeated the Blue Team, 29–22.
Sportsnite brings together students from all four grade levels, who spend months preparing for the event through collaboration in areas including dance, art, stunts, music, writing and event planning. The program is designed to foster leadership and mentorship, with seniors guiding younger students and helping to build a strong sense of community within the school.
Each team develops its own theme to shape its performances and overall presentation. This year, the Blue Team, led by captain Jamila Bennett, presented “Blue’s Got Talent,” with Kamilah Santesteban leading the entrance song and cheer. The Gold Team, led by captain Lyra Gilling, performed “The Golden Palace,” with Briya Narcisse heading the entrance song and cheer.
The performances served as the culmination of Sportsweek, a series of events and traditions leading up to the final show. After months of rehearsals and preparation, both teams worked to design and execute detailed routines that combined choreography, storytelling and visual elements, all aimed at showcasing their creativity and school pride.
“All Sportsnite members did an extraordinary job this year,” organizer Kathryn Thiel said. “They demonstrated tremendous effort and teamwork in building their themes from the ground up to create remarkable performances. I am incredibly proud of both the Blue and Gold teams.”
Melissa Watts served as musical director for both teams, supporting students as they developed and refined their performances throughout the process.
Originally created 93 years ago by Ethel T. Kloberg, Baldwin High School’s physical education supervisor, Sportsnite was designed to promote opportunities for girls at a time when female participation in athletics was limited. While the tradition has evolved over the decades — including the participation of two male students this year — it continues to emphasize empowerment, inclusion and student leadership.
Beyond the competition, the months of preparation provide students with opportunities to build confidence, develop new skills and form lasting connections with their peers. The experience encourages collaboration across grade levels, allowing students to take on leadership roles while contributing to a shared goal.
“Two teams, one night. All heart,” reads a line from this year’s Sportsnite program, reflecting the friendships, leadership skills and memories students build throughout the experience.
