House Olympics is a competition between the seven Houses at Germantown Academy that features a wide range of athletic, academic and creative events. This annual tradition is one of the most anticipated parts of the school year, bringing students together through friendly competition and fostering strong school spirit throughout the community.
This year marked the 17th House Olympics, culminating with Osbourn House winning first place after a day filled with enthusiasm, excitement and impressive performances across a variety of events. The day began in the Arts Center, where students gathered to watch the “Best of GA” video produced by the Digital Media classes. The video highlighted memorable moments from the year, featuring creative skits and interviews with students and staff, setting a lively tone for the day ahead.
After the video, students prepared for the competitions by dressing in their House colors and adding face paint, glitter and other spirited accessories. The visible enthusiasm among the Houses made it clear how much this tradition means to the student body and the entire school community.
The day’s events offered a wide and diverse range of challenges, from the creative and intellectual like 2D Art and Sudoku to the more physical and team-based such as “Capture the Chicken,” tug of war, and the swim relay. This enabled all students to contribute towards gaining their House points through their different skills, whether it be artistic talent, problem-solving or athletic ability.
The balance between individual effort and teamwork was a key part of what made the competition so exciting and engaging. My personal favorite event was “Around the World” Tennis, which stood out because of its fast pace and unpredictability. Players rotate quickly around the court, constantly reacting and adjusting to keep the rally going.
As a member of Roberts House, I will admit that the final results weren’t what we had hoped for. However, looking back on the year as a whole, I am proud of the consistent effort and enthusiasm we brought to every event. Our commitment to showing up and competing together speaks to the strength of our House spirit.
Our greatest success came in the GA Knowledge Bowl, where we worked together to earn a well-deserved victory. That moment was a clear reflection of our ability to work as a team and perform under pressure.
While Osbourn ultimately won the overall competition, House Olympics reminded us of the core values that matter most—collaboration, dedication, and pride in representing your House. For Roberts House, this experience serves as motivation to return next year even stronger and better prepared to compete.