On November 4, the Greater Debaters (Washington Latin’s policy debate team) debated with over 200 students at Greenbelt Middle School in Maryland. Each teammate won at least one round, and most won two out of four rounds. The next debate will be December 9th at DC International. Congratulations to Varsity debater Hawa Sturr and Novice teams ninth grader Jia Fleming and sixth grader Kennedy Cawley, eighth grader Nassir Purnell-Snowden and fifth grader Eamon Price, fifth graders Marianna McDiarmid and Sarah Schifferle, sixth grader Vanessa McCullers and Lena Webb, seventh grader Maxwell Burton and sixth grader Aaron Smith and seventh grader Jackson Lewis and fifth grader Amal Buba.
Sophomore soccer stars Kim Montpelier and Zoe Crute were voted on to the DCSAA All-Star team for Washington Latin. The WLPCS Girls and Boys Soccer teams both were named PCSAA champions this year.
Last week Ms. Collins and Mr. Porcelli presented to faculty about travel grants. These school funds support teachers continuing their education in the summer in a wide variety of settings. Last summer Ms. Collins went to Germany, Ms. Jost climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mr. Hotckiss visited the Hague, and Ms. Coppola-Klein visited New York City to attend Facing Histories and Ourselves workshop.
At the first assembly of the school year, Upper Schoolers gathered in the MPR to talk about the theme of “When in Doubt, Do Good.” Classics Department Chair Mr. Clausen greeted students dressed as senior Graham Brady, for Halloween, and spoke about the role of generosity and providing help and kindness for no reason beyond the fact that it is rewarding to all when people choose to help others. Seniors James Mitchell, Emanuel Smith, Lucie Warga, and Baily Pinkney spoke about their own experiences of generosity. Jazz band members Miles Lang, Baily Pinckney, Duncan Cox, Adrien Gomez, Maddy Katz, Mitch Shapiro, Owen Fox-Whelpton, Dylan Healy, and Harris Marks performed. As a follow-up to the themes of his speech, Mr. Clausen read the New Yorker article called “The Gift,” with his students, which is about a man named Zell Kravinsky who donates $45 million dollars to charity and then later donates a kidney. He invited former WLPCS Dean Jose Reyes to speak this Thursday about his experiences receiving a kidney donation from a stranger that saved his life last year. He spoke to Mr. Clausen’s class along with his donor, Sarah.
On Wednesday, music warmed the autumnal chill of the night, bringing light to a night that grew dark early after turning our clocks back this weekend. The middle school choir, Honors Choir, Concert Choir, and Jazz Band performed songs under the direction of our talented Arts Department Chair, Ms. VerCammen (Nevola). The Honors Choir sang several songs including “If Ye Love Me,” by Thomas Tallis. The Jazz band played a variety of music, including “Everything” by Michale Buble. The Junior Choir sang festive tunes including “A Joyful Song,” by Mary Lynn Lightfoot, and the Latin Voices Choir sang “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” by Stevie Wonder.
