At the April upper school assembly on Tuesday, seniors who have shown a particular proficiency in public speech throughout their role in class discussions, public speech competitions, open houses, athletic department banquets, and Arts Night or Choral Concerts showcased their performance skills. Sophomores Rodney Goldring and Lily Stettler-Eno spoke about their involvement in the new Public Speaking elective. Seniors Brian Benitez, Makiya Tarrance, Niekal Jones-Atkinson, Lindsey Johnson, and Sam Mader performed, with Benitez reading Polonius’ advice from Hamlet, Tarrance reading from Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem “a song in the front yard,” and later performing Hamlet’s words to Ophelia, Jones-Atkinson reading Marge Piercy’s “To have without holding,” Johnson performing a selection from James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, and Mader producing an original beat box performance. Other commended seniors who have achieved excellence in public speaking include Maggie Dalzell, Carmaya Humble, Serena Jones, Mason Sayles, and Eowyn Sherrer. Sophomore Shelby Griffith performed her winning poem from the Poetry Out Loud competition, “The Mothering Blackness,” by Maya Angelou. Mr. Day read the poem by William Carlos Williams called, “This is Just to Say,” and Ms. Seid read the poem “When You Ask a Teacher What They Make.” The Honors Choir performed “Wayfaring Stranger,” and students earned merits from their teachers for their performance in class. Freshmen J.C. Claire and Cecily Bufkin earned merits, sophomores DJ Okuleye and Jania Claire, and juniors Destiny Glee and Nate Crystal, as well as seniors Claire Hall and Zhen-Hua Pavetti.
Seventh and eighth graders had the chance this week to shadow upper school language classes to consider whether they want to study Arabic, French, or Chinese. Upper school classes hosted middle schoolers, providing them to the chance to see how the language works, and examine different foreign language teaching styles. Our upper school language program augments students’ knowledge of Latin with a second foreign language, which some students start in eighth grade. The foreign language program also organizes international travel over Spring Break, and many upper school students apply for study abroad programs in Europe, the Middle East, or China over the summer vacations.
Middle School students had an assembly Thursday on Cyber Security, featuring Richard Guerry, author of multiple cyber safety books. This presentation guided students on making smart choices on digital interactions inside and outside of our school building. The assembly highlighted for our students the fact that words and pictures posted on electronic devices to the internet are public and can have long-term consequences. The assembly also covered cyber bullying, use of digital applications, and sensitivity about behavior and word choice on social media. The event was also repeated for parents on Thursday night.
Sophomores and juniors had the chance to participate in our annual Spring Break college tour. Ms. Latham, Ms. Richardson, and Mr. Torrence lead this year’s tour to Southern colleges. Students visited VCU and took a self guided tour, led by the chaperones through the streets of Richmond. At Davidson College, students were excited to learn about the honor code and LEED certified buildings. At Queens University, students were interested in a mandate that all students have an internship and have a class dedicated to building a resume and interviewing. At Livingstone College, Alma Mater of Mr. Eleby-El, students met with the vice president about the value of education and importance of minorities in the work force. Students also saw Johnson C. Smith University. Students visited with 2016 graduate Bethann Mwombela who attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Each year the tour visits a different part of the country, focusing on a new cluster of schools to allow students to view a wide variety of colleges.
A delegation of Chinese principals visited Washington Latin on Tuesday and spoke with the Chinese classes about American education and culture. Language department chair Ms. Stouder hosted the visitors in her classes, and students served as ambassadors, giving the delegation a tour of the school and insight into our educational program. These international partnerships have provided students a chance to learn about other cultures, meet students at other schools throughout the world, and visit foreign schools on Spring Break trips.
