Senior Sarah Wu is a semi-finalist for the Merit Scholarship. About 16,000 students nationwide earn this honor, based on performance on standardized tests, and have the chance to apply for the National Merit Scholarship, based on test scores and academic performance and leadership. In February, Wu will learn if she advances to the next round of finalists. Meanwhile, three seniors have been named finalists for the Posse Scholarship. The scholarship provides free tuition for several schools. This scholarship helps build a “posse” or supportive group of students who help each other persist and gain leadership skills in college. Finalists include Serena Jones, Hamadi Brewer, and Alex Hagen. They will learn in the next few weeks, after additional interviews, whether they will be awarded the coveted scholarship. Previous Posse scholarship winners from Washington Latin include 2016 graduate Conor Moore, 2015 graduates Maddie Galvez and Olivia Boyd, 2013 graduate Desmond Miller, and 2012 graduate Farris Nabih and Anaka Osborne.
Students in the AP Literature and History of Jerusalem classes will travel together New York City this Friday. All students will eventually meet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Jerusalem exhibit. The exhibition explores various cultural traditions and artifacts associated with the medieval city of Jerusalem, featuring 200 works of art from 60 lenders worldwide. The AP Literature class will also go to The Morgan Library and Museum to see the Bronte manuscripts and part of the permanent Austen collection. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a portion of the original manuscript of Jane Eyre, on loan from the British Library life portraits of Brontë, on loan from London’s National Portrait Gallery. Other highlights of the trip will include a tour of some Holden Caulfield sights from The Catcher in the Rye, including the lake at Central Park.
Last week, Washington Latin’s Model UN team participated in American University’s WIRC Model UN conference, which is a training conference for Model UN. Senior Dominique Cravins represented Australia on DISEC. Junior Javiera Galarce ’18 represented India on East Asia Summit. Sophomore Tyrica Miller represented France on UNODEC, and freshman Zander Shoag represented Italy on SOCHUM. The team is advised by Arabic teacher Mr. Porcelli.
The upper school hosted its first school-wide mock election this week on Tuesday. Seniors represented the the “candidates” with prepared speeches that would focus entirely on the issues. Student speakers used letters to represent them, so students voted exclusively on the issues, and were not focused on the characters’ profiles. Donald Trump was presented by Alex Davis (known as Candidate A), Hillary Clinton’s policies were presented by Ned Yarsky (known as Candidate D), Jill Stein was performed by Carmaya Humble (known as Candidate B) and Gary Johnson was represented by Max Micheli (Candidate C). They squared off in a race that was not as tight as the national elections. Candidate D came in first place, followed by Candidate C. The voters were also treated to a musical performance by Rock Band club musicians, Teddy Ammon, Aaron Figueroa, Ned Yarsky, and Mitchell Shapiro. Later Ben Roodman, Sophie Collier, and Elias Demian each performed music as well. Students were also commended for hard work, commitment, kindness, and friendship. Ninth graders who earned merits included Justin Burgon and Eva Antoine. Tenth graders Talia Flores and Jake Stocker were lauded for their effort and energy, and juniors Jay Antoine and Kirby Monterey earned merits for hard work and collaboration along with seniors Sam Anderson and Abeselom Abraham. Mr. Hagerty and Ms. Smith reminded students of the importance in careful, well-thought-out and moral choices, and asked students to listen with an open mind.
Middle schoolers celebrated Thanksgiving early with an assembly focused around the theme of gratitude. A jazz ensemble consisting of seniors Eowyn Sherrer and Teddy Ammon and juniors Mitch Shapiro and Harris Marks performed “The Autumn Leaves” by Nat King Cole with assistant principal Mr. Benjamin accompanying them on the trumpet. Eighth grader Lucian Anderson reflected on how much we take for granted and how much we focus on material belongings rather than true connection and sixth grader Azaria Dansby read a poem. Teachers including Ms. Pike and Ms. Haywood reflected on the moments in their life when they felt true gratitude for the support of others. And then, as we do with each assembly, teachers expressed gratitude to students who went above and beyond expectations. Ms. Pike lauded the consistent hard work and positive attitude fifth grade Jaden Davis, and Ms. Mujal noted the enthusiasm and support that fifth grader Ella Hankins gives her classmates. Mr. Staten commented on the exuberance and commitment seen by sixth graders Henry Batkin and Isabelle Charles. Ms. Kolb thanked seventh grader Estelle Monti for her consistent efforts in math class, and Mr. Wills congratulated his advisee Sheridan Easterling for his kindness and responsibility. Ms. Lee thanked eighth grader Catherine Serrano for her hard work and positive attitude, and Ms. Haywood lauded her advisee Ishmael Cabading for his generosity and gratitude. Quarterly assemblies give students a chance to gather, note personal successes, share artistic achievements, and consider the themes that bind us together in our shared goals. Ms. Smith finished this assembly by asking students and teachers to revisit the lost art of letter writing and consider sending a thank you note or two this week to someone who has impacted their lives.
