On Wednesday, seventh graders visited Arena Stage to view Lillian Hellman’s play Watch on the Rhine. The play takes place right before World War II and focuses on a young woman who escapes to the Washington, D.C. suburbs with her German husband. While her husband is involved in anti-fascist movements, the family welcomes an Eastern European guest and the international conflicts become the catalyst for tension within the family. Students in seventh grade read several social justice texts that deal with societal conflicts that challenge a character’s values, like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. In previous years, the seventh grade also viewed Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at Arena Stage, and last year Ms. Kolb’s eighth grade theater class saw Akeelah and the Bee at the theater in Southwest, D.C.
Members of the Quiz Bowl team, comprised of students in grades 5 through 12, will appear on It’s Academic, which will air on NBC 4 on Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 am. Seniors Alex Crute, Harry Warren, and junior Eric Wright competed in November against Robinson and Annandale high schools. Ms. Nevola kept the team’s spirits high with a performance of the Jazz Band at the show. The playoff competition will be taped Saturday, March 4 at 11:15 am at NBC 4 studios on 4000 Massachusetts Ave NW near the Tenleytown metro. The team, which answers all sorts of academic trivia questions, is coached by assistant principal Mr. Benjamin. Last year Crute, Wright, and his older brother Owen Wright also competed for the playoffs of this 55-year old longest running game show in the history of television against Einstein High School and Oakton High School. Washington Latin was the first public charter school to ever compete on the show.
Juniors and seniors attended the movie Fences on Monday, based on the August Wilson play of the same name. The play focuses on the struggle of an African American father in Pittsburgh in the 1950s named Troy, a fallen baseball hero. He finds himself in conflict with his son, who aspires to a career in football, and with his wife, whom he has betrayed. Ms. Collins teaches the play to juniors in the spring. Trips to movies and plays are a key part of our English curriculum, allowing students to see as various directors adapt an author’s words onto the stage or screen.
The Upper School Environmental Club harvested some of the latest greens from our tower gardens. The program uses hydroponic technology to grow greens in our hallways. The club filled several bags with rainbow and Swiss chard, oregano and basil. The Environmental Club focuses on recycling, cleaning up nearby waterways and parks, and helping grow a variety of plants in and around our campus. The club is advised by Mr. Torrence with help from Mr. Figueroa.
On Tuesday, students in the upper school competed in the DCSAA Indoor Track Championships. Their team is coached by Mr. Callum. Senior Sam Mader finished 3rd in the boys 800m and senior James Medrano finished 3rd in the boys’ long jump. Other senior athletes include Serena Jones, Sarah Wu, Dmitri Yearby, Arin Deloatch, Matthew Davis, and Nick Hodge. Juniors Micaiah Jones, Max Muradian, Anthony Bockarie, and Raven Berry competed, along with sophomores Goodness Ukaegbu, Anthony David, and freshman Cecily Bufkin. Last year senior Arin Deloatch finished 2nd Place in the shot put competition at the championship.
