This past weekend sophomore Zoe Edelman, and juniors Oliver Spiva and Luke Tewalt competed at the National Cross Country Regionals in Cary, NC. For these events the 12 southeast states’ top runners competed. Tewalt finished 23rd out of over 250 male runners, running his second fastest time this season, making him the fastest cross country male runner in the city. Edelman finished 32nd out of over 250 female runners. She ran her fastest time of the year, making her the fastest female runner in city. Spiva ran a terrific race, running his second fastest time of the season. The team was accompanied by track coach and upper school dean Mr. Callum.
At last week’s performance of the Hook, students performed music, poetry, and open mic. The event, organized by upper school students was run with the help of Ms. Seid, Mr. Hotchkiss, and Ms. Raskin. Twice a year, students organize an afternoon performance to showcase the creative talents and voices of upper school students. Meanwhile twice a year the middle school organizes a similar coffee house, featuring young poets, singers, actors and dancers in the MPR with the help of Ms. Bloomfield and Ms. Lee-Bey.
This winter’s annual school-wide musical will be the Music Man, directed by Mr. Baldwin. In the lead role of Harold Hill will be junior Owen Fox-Whelpton and senior Shelby Griffith will play his love interest, librarian Marian Paroo. The play will feature 50 middle and upper schoolers, the largest cast of any musical the school has performed. Mr. Baldwin also cast several teachers in cameo appearances, including Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Liu, Mr. Hotchkiss, and Mr. Edmundson as the Barbershop Quartet. Mr. Birkenhead will also play Mayor Shinn, and Ms. Kolb will play Alma Hix. The play will run in mid-March.
Fifth graders sampled mountain delicacies in an English class potluck lunch honoring the main character in My Side of the Mountain. The students ate food reminiscent of Sam Gribley from the novel by Jean Craighead George. New and savory food choices included rabbit cooked over an open fire, acorn pancakes, cricket and dandelion greens. This is one of several activities throughout the school year to help the literature come alive for students.
Eighth graders took part in their annual Advisory Buzz Competition, lead by math teacher and assistant director of the Middle School Ms. Chall. The event included representatives from each advisory who participated in a mathematical competition in which they counted and buzzed out all numbers containing the numeral seven or a multiple of 7. The winner was Omare Omatete, with second place going to Zoe Woods-Arthur. Each eighth grade advisory was also awarded points for school spirit, as evidenced by wearing their designated advisory colors and supporting each other through positive language. Advisories also win points by avoiding tardies and demerits, decorating their classrooms, and taking on leadership roles throughout the school year. The year-long advisory competition culminates in a day of athletic endeavors in the spring called Advisory Olympics.
