In 1971, after a 38 year interlude as an all-boys school, Proctor returned to co-education by enrolling a handful of female students. The numbers of girls has grown steadily over 40 years, but the evolution of a community's values and sensitivities is another thing. It takes time. 

 

Kat Darling '98 hosts Advanced Placement Environmental Science at her organic farm on Raccoon Hill yesterday. Soccer players (in green tie dye shirts) work before play.

 

Proctor reached a milestone in co-education Friday night, when an interscholastic game was played under rented lights on Farrell Field. The varsity girls contest against Kimball Union Academy was the culmination of weeks of planning by Student Activities and certain parents, and virtually the whole school turned out in support.

 

The display of positive school spirit was unlike many had seen (trustees were--in the words of one--"blown away,") and the atmosphere was truly electric, boisterous and even rowdy, but consistently appropriate.

 
















The game was a thriller in part because Proctor girls held nothing back after falling behind in the opening seconds. Their play was smart, gutsy and focused. Another goal by KUA in the final moments didn't dampen the crowd's raucous support, and when the final whistle blew and the girls ran to congratulate our goal keeper, the crowd charged the scene and cheered as if we had achieved something very special.

 

And indeed we had.