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Volume 9, Issue 17
January 12, 2017
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| Fifth Graders Earn Top Spots in Spelling Bee |
For the first time in Lakehill history, two fifth grade students remained on stage for the final round of Lakehill's Spelling Bee on January 9.
After many rounds of competition,
Abby Dondis edged out
Sarah Ganson,
to be declared Lakehill's Spelling Bee Champion. Eighth grade student
Christian Barefoot took third place in the competition.
Last year's champion,
Mara Sandberg, was the last seventh grader standing, while
Harper Kuhn and
James McKinney were the last fourth and sixth graders, respectively.
Each year, students from across the country compete for the chance to represent their schools and communities in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Dondis will compete in the next round on February 14
against winners from other private schools. As runner-up, Sophia will also be recognized at the event.
"The spelling bee is always full of unexpected drama and excitement, especially when it is down to the final three or four contestants," said coordinator Julie Riggs. "I like to watch the gears turning when kids are figuring out the logic of an unfamiliar word. It is as much about thinking on one's feet as about knowing a pre-assigned list of words.
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Lakehill Student Honored for Service
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Lakehill has a long tradition of community service with students who give generously of their time and talents to make an impact on their communities. Senior
Charlie Pippen
was recently selected as a Local Honoree in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program for his outstanding volunteer efforts. This is the second year that Prudential has recognized him for his service.
Pippen has been involved since the sixth grade in organizing, collecting, and distributing donations of books, clothing, and supplies to the Kayengona School in a rural community in Namibia. He spent two weeks there this summer, delivering more items and teaching eight classes a day in the school. As a result, he learned a great deal about the dreams and struggles of boys and girls his age in much less fortunate circumstances.
He says his experience has been eye opening. "I have realized that there is so much we can do to make a difference, and so many ways we can connect with others," he said. "I remember sitting after school one day with a group of students. One of them was holding a copy of his favorite book,
The Pearl. My name was written at the top--it was
my copy from eighth grade, donated years before. It really brought the connection home for me."
The awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honor outstanding community service by students in grades five through 12 at the local, state, and national level.
"By shining a spotlight on their service, we hope that more young people will be inspired to serve their communities and make a difference to the people around them,"
said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld.
Lakehill Headmaster Roger L. Perry praised Pippen for his volun
teer service. "Charlie has dedicated himself to this project throughout his middle and high school career. He sets a wonderful example of philanthropy and dedication that we hope others will follow."
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Enigma Club Brings Music to the Masses
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The Enigma Club was first introduced to Lakehill a year ago by co-founders
George Cheng
and
Jenson Zhou
. The club focuses on computerized music, primarily electronic dance music, produced with different musical software. In addition to Cheng and Zhou, members of the club include
Arjun Agrawal
,
John Hirata
,
Sophia Liu
,
Bill Song
, and
Ryan Zhu
.
In July, 2016, Enigma's music was featured as the backdrop for a high-tech fashion show in Shanghai, China. This week, Enigma hosted a sale for their debut CD,
Pluto, allowing Lakehill students and faculty to experience their music and support their efforts. CDs are still available and may be purchased from Cheng or from Ms. Herta, sponsor of the club.
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Update from Headmaster Roger Perry
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I hope you noticed the progress on our new building when you returned from the holidays. The framing crew is busy placing the outside walls this week and will begin setting the inside walls next week. The structure is really starting to take shape and the footprint of the building is becoming evident.
Please make sure to follow the progress by clicking on the link below or on the website. The pictures will surely make you smile. Best wishes for an amazing 2017.
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National Junior Honor Society Highlights Lakehill's Soon-to-be Graduates
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NJHS Spotlight on Seniors
This week's senior: Matthew Levine
Matthew Levine has attended Lakehill since his sophomore year. He is a member of the Computer Science Club and National Honor Society.
His favorite subject is statistics because he feels it is fairly intuitive. His favorite teacher is Mrs. McCarty. "She not only makes statistics fun, but I also learn a lot as well."
Matthew will be attending the University of Texas in the fall. He plans to major in Computer Science in order to fulfill his dream of being a software engineer. "I definitely think Lakehill has prepared me to be successful in college and in my future career," he said.
Outside of school, he enjoys playing video games in his free time. Matthew's favorite memories of Lakehill have been from the Upper School retreats, spending time away from campus with his classmates.
By Ella Witherite, ninth grade
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The Varsity Girls Basketball team got off to a quick start in the new year by winning their first two district games. On January 3, the Lady Warriors traveled to Dallas Lutheran, defeating the Lions, 42-26. Lakehill was led in scoring by senior
Charity Abengowe with 29 points and 14 rebounds. Junior
Ashley Peacock chipped in with two three-pointers. Senior
McKinney Waggoner also contributed 12 rebounds in the game.
On January 10, the Lady Warriors defeated the Irving the Highlands Blazers on the road, 57 - 45. Abengowe scored a season-high 40 points and sunk six three-point baskets. Waggoner also had a season high of 17 rebounds. Peacock continued her sharp shooting from the three-point line, contributing eight points against the Blazers. The Lady Warriors played great defense led by senior
Giulia Ferguson and freshman
Alanna Stern. All 13 team members played in the game with several contributions from the younger players.
The team finishes off a busy week with a home game on
Thursday, January 12, against Yavneh and another road game at Dallas Covenant
on Saturday, January 14.
Middle School Boys Basketball - Seventh Grade
The Seventh Grade Boys Basketball team picked up their first victory of the season in a decisive fashion, 44-17, over Garland Christian at Lakehill
on January 10. It was an all out team effort for the Warriors with all available players contributing in the win. The Warriors came out firing on offense and defense, leading 15-2 after the the first quarter. In the second quarter, Garland Christian attempted a comeback, narrowing the score to 20-10. The Swordsman seemed to have some momentum, but a three pointer by
Prahlad Pant midway through the period extended the lead to 13, and the Warriors never looked back.
The team was led by
Mitchell Crow with 11, followed by
Alex Dondis with nine, and
Brett Peacock with eight. The 44 points was a season high for Lakehill. The team was particularly efficient from long range, sinking six three-point shots, also a season high.
Luke Stout added five for Lakehill and
Cullen McCaleb chipped in four.
Ashton Abbott-Sharifi and
Nico Montez both scored their first two points of the season.
Coach Bowden said he was impressed with how the boys played as a team with everyone contributing to the win. "The boys demonstrated great competitiveness and positive attitudes."
Lakehill next faces Dallas Covenant on the road on
Saturday January 14, with tip-off set for
noon. It's a rematch of a
November 10 battle where the Knights from Covenant toppled the Warriors 30-27. The Warriors season record now sits at 1-3.
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News from Lisa Bracken, Director of Admission:
If you are planning to apply for a sibling to attend Lakehill for the fall of 2017, please note that the deadline for applications is January 13, 2017. Re-enrollment contracts will go out in late January for current Lakehill students.
Read Lisa's Lakehill Top 5.
January 13
Admission Application Deadline
Applications for admission for NEW students (including new siblings) for the 2017-18 school year are due to the Office of Admission.
Shoreline Spruce-Up, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
January 16
No school - MLK Holiday
Tribe Meetings, 1:40 - 2:05 p.m.
January 19-22
Senior Inauguration Trip to Washington, D.C.
January 20
Practice ACT for Sophomores
January 20
Early Release Day/Staff Development
Lower School students will be released at 11:30 a.m. Middle and Upper School students will be released at noon. After-care is available with a
reservation.
January 23-27
Middle School Canned Food Drive
January 24
Geo Bee (grades 4-8)
Auditorium, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
January 25
Upper School ESU Shakespeare Competition, 3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
January 26-29
Upper School Debate State Tournament (Austin)
January 27
Middle School Can Sculpture Contest
January 28
Admission Testing for 2017-18 Applicants
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