Thinking Globally

Thinking Globally

Several middle school students earned accolades for their work in last weekend’s Model United Nations Conference  at Holton Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland.  Sixth grader Liam Murphy and seventh grader Vlad Zadorojny earned honorable mentions for their work debating on the topic of climate change. Seventh grader Henry Cohen was named “Outstanding Delegate for his work in the Disarmament and International Security Committee, debating on cyber security and cyber warfare protection.  Eighth grader Aaron Scott scored an “Outstanding Delegate” nod while serving on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees committee. Eighth grader Philip Horrigan nabbed the impressive ”Best Delegate” title while serving on the committee of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs debating nuclear non-proliferation. Meanwhile, sixth grader Jaden Davis won praise as a first time participant to the Model United Nations activity, debating the topic of the Syrian refugee crisis while serving on the committee of UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Eighth grader Nico Davis impressively served on the World Health Organization debating what to do about the Zika virus. The team is advised by seventh grade teacher Mr. Wills and fifth grade teacher Ms. Lee-Bey. All of the delegates researched their topics and wrote position papers to present to the chairpersons of their committees. They then defended their opinions and negotiated and persuaded other delegates to support their  resolutions through a full committee voting process.

Star-crossed Students

Star-crossed Students

Ninth graders saw “Romeo and Juliet” at the Shakespeare Theater this week.  The tale of feuding families and the unlikely lovers caught in between is a dramatic follow-up to last year’s students’ experience with the more whimsical “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Each year students in the upper school have the chance to read a Shakespeare text and perform scenes from the play after visiting a performance at Shakespeare Theater Company or The Folger Shakespeare Library. In recent years, upper school students have also seen “Othello,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Comedy of Errors,” “Henry IV Part I,” “Twelfth Night,” and “The Tempest.” Live performances help bring the words of the Bard into reality for students, so that young readers can appreciate the witty banter, double entendres, brutal swordplay, and epic tragedies on the stage. Meanwhile, Ms. Kolb’s eighth grade theatre students are planning to put on a student-directed production of “Macbeth” in the spring at the Folger library.

Crushed the Concert

Crushed the Concert

At Thursday’s sixth annual fall concert, students sang various songs associated with the bounty of fall.  The men’s choir started with “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, and the women’s choir performed “Songs of Sanctuary: Adiemus” by Karl Jenkins.  The Full Voice Choir sang “You Raise Me Up,” featuring several voice solos and a violin duet by senior Sophie Collier and freshman Owen Fox-Whelpton. The Jazz Band then performed several songs including “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire.  The Concert Choir followed up with a variety of songs including “In My Life,” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Latin Voices sang a wide variety of songs, including a traditional African Zulu song, and Honors Choir ended with “Aint That Good News,” by William L. Dawson.  We thank the students who set the night ablaze with a musical salute to fall!

Happy Campers

Happy Campers

Fifth graders spent a sunny fall day in the woods last week for the annual trip to Calleva.  The camp space is the largest outdoor education organization in Central Maryland, and includes various team building activities. Students rotated in small groups through activities that built problem solving, coordination and survival skills. Students tested their fears on zip lines, the giant swing, the round robin, and the maypole. The purpose of the trip is to teach students survival and relational skills outside of the classroom and encourage students to collaborate and think like a team.

Academic All-Stars

Academic All-Stars

The Quiz Bowl team will compete again this year on the television show “It’s Academic” on  Saturday, November 19 at 2:30 pm. The team, coached by assistant principal Mr. Benjamin includes seniors Alex Crute and Harry Warren and junior Eric Wright. The event will be taped at the NBC 4 Studio. Washington Latin will compete against Fairfax County schools Robinson and Annandale, and will of course bring our own personal cheering section in the form of Ms. Nevola and the Jazz Band, which will perform. The 55-year old show is the longest running game show in the history of television. Last year the team, including Crute and Wright,  lost a very close contest with Edison High School in Montgomery County. Latin is the first public charter school to ever compete on the show.