The Picture of School Spirit: Celebrating Our Senior Wingmen
February 20, 2026
On the sidelines at football games, at the front of pep rallies, and anywhere school spirit is needed most, our Wingmen are easy to spot: striped overalls, flags in hand, and energy that’s impossible to ignore.
This year’s senior Wingmen — Tripp Rhodus ’26, Thomas Cate ’26, Gianluca Sabella ’26, Giovanni Sabella ’26, and Aiden Ferguson ‘26— have embraced that role wholeheartedly, helping lead the charge in creating the kind of celebratory atmosphere that defines the ESD experience.
The Wingman program began in the spring of 2017 after students expressed interest in finding a way to show and spread school spirit at games and pep rallies without necessarily being part of the cheerleading team. What started as an idea quickly became a tradition. Today, under the leadership of Megan Schroeder ’09, Assistant Director of Admission, Cheerleading Program Director and Head Coach, Wingmen have become a central part of the spirit culture on campus.
Described by Schroeder as “the picture of school spirit” for ESD, Wingmen serve as an outlet for spirited students who want to energize their peers and champion their school. They hype up the student section at football games, run the flags after touchdowns, control the music and overall vibe in the stands, amplify the energy at pep rallies, and most importantly, model positive, inclusive enthusiasm.
Students express interest in becoming a Wingman and are selected based on their standing within the school community. Once chosen, they are officially adorned in their signature striped overalls, handed their flags, and entrusted with the responsibility of leading the charge.
For senior Thomas Cate ’26, that responsibility is deeply meaningful.
“As Wingmen, it is meaningful because we are the spirit leaders of the school,” he shared. “When we stand in front of the student section at football games, we fire up the crowd, get chants going, run flags around the field when points are scored, and keep the energy alive at games.”
For this year’s seniors, serving as Wingmen has been more than just a role; it has been a commitment to showing up and lifting others up. Their willingness to lead with energy and pride has left a lasting mark on the stands, the sidelines, and the broader ESD community.
We’re grateful for the spirit, dedication, and leadership these seniors have brought to the program — and for the example they’ve set for the generations of ESD Wingmen to come.
