The Red & White

Walking across campus on a crisp fall morning, with Old School and the view of the Atlantic Ocean stretching out beyond Second Beach, it is hard not to feel the weight of tradition at St. George’s. The Hilltop has seen generations of students pass through, carrying books to class, skates to the rink, or sticks to the field. And always above them, watching from banners, jerseys, and carvings, is the dragon.

St. George’s adopted the dragon mascot in arbitrary fashion, but the choice carries real meaning. In legend, Saint George defeats a foe far stronger than himself. Students here know that same feeling: confronting the dragons of daily life—mountains of homework, packed athletic schedules, club commitments, and the challenge of finding our own voices in chapel. Yet unlike the legend, our dragon lives on. Because reality is more complicated than a simple story, St. George’s has transformed the dragon from an enemy to a symbol—not of something we slay, but of something we become.

The dragon is our source of power, resilience, and spirit. It shows up in unexpected places: pushing us to class after a snowstorm, giving us fire in a rivalry game against Middlesex, or even reminding us that courage is needed just to step up and speak in front of our peers. When the community gathers for the tradition of slaying the zebra cake before taking the field against Middlesex, we feed our inner dragons and remember that we are united, not just as players and fans, but as parts of a powerful community.

That community is what the school’s mission statement points us toward: “to give its students the opportunity of developing to the fullest extent possible the particular gifts that are theirs and to encourage in them the desire to do so.” The dragon is more than a mascot; it is the living expression of this promise. Each of us has our own dragon traits that fuel us to greatness that St. George’s fosters, whether it is a love of music or science, English or sailing. Whatever we do, whatever we love, none of us stands alone. A dragon is only powerful with its scales, wings, and fire acting together. When our community comes together, we become One Dragon, which embodies the truth that the school is strongest when every individual grows and every member of the community cares for one another.

Our dragon also embodies multiple powers at once. Academics, athletics, faith, and community life aren’t separate tracks but parts of the same body, moving together.

New students arrive looking to find their dragon fire. Faculty and staff are the brains and heart of the dragon, providing knowledge, wisdom, and comfort. They help the dragon make sense of the world and shape how the fire is used. The whole school community continues “feeding the dragon” through contributions, rituals, and traditions that sustain its life. Alumni go out into the world, becoming wings on the dragon that not only lift up the school financially but also pave the path for current students. 

As Mr. Wirtz explains, “One dragon is about a community pulling together in support of one another, how we treat each other and show up for one another. It is shorthand for who we aspire to be and represents our core values.” Mr. Wirtz got the idea of One Dragon when he was interviewing Miss Ham, and she mentioned Connecticut College’s One Camel concept.  He felt this year was the right time for One Dragon to take flight.

Dragon Pride is more than cheering at games. It is the unifying belief that each of us faces dragons, each of us is a dragon, and together we are most powerful. And even when we leave the Hilltop, once a dragon, always a dragon.