At the annual Middle School citywide STEM fair, fifth graders Jacob Rhoden and Owynn Black won first place in animal sciences division. They were invited to the celebration of black scientists at NASA event at the National African American History Museum. Both of them appeared on WHUT, Howard University’s television station. Mira Soskis tied for first place in the biomedical sciences division, and Preston Olander won second. David Brown won third place in the chemistry division. Milo Harris won third place in the physical energy division.
Junior Makiya Tucker’s work was shown at the Hirshhorn this week as part of an exhibit called “51%” about women’s history. Tucker was one of 20 students who showcased work in various mediums though an internship called Emerging Artists by ARTLAB, which is open to artists in their teens in D.C. The program provides young artists with an inclusive digital art studio and mentorship from professional artists. Makiya’s work was titled For A Man’s Eyes, and highlighted how female bodies are objectified by the media. She posted images of women on the sides of handmade milk cartons, which said “Milk gaze,” “made to please.” She used rhetorical elements inspired by the discussions she had in her AP Language and Composition class led by teacher Nathan Day.
Last week the Upper School celebrated the end of the year with the annual Lion Day celebrations. Students dressed in class colors, to represent their grades. Instead of attending their last class of the day, they headed to the field, where advisors lead them through various competitions, including Water Balloons, Hula Hoops, Cooperative Games, Blindfolded Lion Painting, Relays, and Tape Wars. The event is organized by math teacher and Community Council advisor Ms. Raskin.
Upper school students on the track team attended the DCSAA Track and Field State Championships last week. The boys’ 4x800m race team of Oliver Spiva, Kaleb Mokonnen, Nick Geist, and Luke Tewalt set a new school record (8:15.73) to become State Champions. Both girls’ and boys’ 4x200m teams, consisting of Cecily Bufkin, Kemari Bolden, Sydney Weaver, Raven Berry on the girls’ side and Immanuel Charles, Arthayuga Briscoe, AJ Burton, and DJ Okuleye on the boys’ side, finished All-State. DJ Okuleye made it to the 100m finals, finishing 6th overall, earning an All-State Honor. In the 3200m the team had two State Champions in Zoe Edelman and Luke Tewalt! Luke broke the meet record, which he set himself last year at the same meet. The team had a lot to be proud of after day one. Edelman also set a record in the 1600m. She will compete at the New Balance School Nationals in the 5000m race in June. Meanwhile, Tewalt won the triple, crown, the 3200m, 1600m, and 800m races. He is a four-time state champion this season, including the team’s 4x800m first place finish He will run the 3200 at Nationals.
Ms. Jost’s Scientific Research Methods class had the school’s first Science Symposium in the library last week. Upper schoolers showcased their semester-long scientific research, which included such topics as treatments for pediatric aneurysms, separation anxiety in dogs, and seagrass in the Chesapeake Bay.
On Tuesday 40 colleges attended the Colleges That Change Lives event in the gym to meet with sophomores and juniors about their college search. Maria Furtado, the executive director of the organization, spoke to the audience, which included students from Latin, as well as E.L. Haynes and Thurgood Marshall about a liberal arts college education. The consortium of member colleges were selected by author Loren Pope as colleges that focus on the academic and social development of students, creating young people who are focused on helping their communities. Visiting colleges included Antioch, Bard, Beloit, Cornell, Denison, Guilford, Earlham, and many other small liberal arts programs all over the country. Director of College Counseling Crys Latham is a member of the group’s board.
