From Macalester Today Summer 2017 issue, page 7: Hannahs vs. Rachels
“There’s an ongoing joke at Macalester that if you don’t know someone’s
name, guessing either Hannah or Rachel gives you a good chance of being
right,” says Hannah Bonestroo ’17. When a survey of the Macalester
directory revealed 22 Hannahs and 18 Rachels, Bonestroo and other friends
with the requisite names hatched the idea of a kickball match between the
Rachels and the Hannahs.
The organizers picked May 2, a pre-finals study day, for the contest,
promoting it through Facebook, email, and the college online newsletter.
Naturally, they also posted in the “Hannahs of Macalester” and “Rachels of
Macalester” Facebook groups.
They invited all Rachel- or Hannah-identifying individuals to participate.
The Rachel team included a team member whose middle name is Rachel,
as well as one whose Hebrew name is Rachel, says Bonestroo. They also
encouraged fellow commonly named compatriots—Sarahs, Henrys, and
Emilys—to support this premiere Macalester sporting event.
“Cheering on an entire team of people with your own name is fun but
confusing,” says Bonestroo. “The game was a blast. The field echoed with
one ‘Go Hannah!’ or ‘Go Rachel!’ after another.”
In the end, the Hannahs dominated 11-3, but the Rachels were victorious
in the game of Red Rover that followed.
