The Warrior Weekly

Volume 9, Issue 22

March 2, 2017

Not-so-simple Machines

Fourth Graders Engineer Invention Convention

On February 24, Lakehill fourth grade students gathered for the Invention Convention, a much anticipated event that tests students' abilities to link simple machines together in order to perform a task. The annual event is inspired by the works of cartoonist and engineer Rube Goldberg.

Goldberg was fascinated by how humans seemed determined to make the simplest tasks unnecessarily complicated, and that is exactly what the fourth graders did as they set out to create the ridiculous, often hilariously complex, machines.

After careful planning, students built their contraptions out of scavenged materials, such as school supplies, duct tape, and cardboard boxes. Many inventions solved common tasks, such as dispensing sprinkles on cupcakes, feeding a pet, or popping a balloon.

Inventions were judged on creativity, use of simple machines, and the ability to explain what steps in the invention required the most trial and error to perfect. If a particular mechanism failed to work as planned, students were given credit for the step if they could explain how they would adjust or replace the malfunctioning part in order to fix the machine. Students learned that plans and models must often be modified in order to achieve the desired result, and that inventors rarely get it right the first time.

See more pictures from Invention Convention.

Quest for Knowledge

Upper School Competes in Academic WorldQuest

On February 23, 12 Lakehill Upper School students competed in the Academic WorldQuest Regional Competition at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Academic WorldQuest, a flagship program of the World Affairs Councils of America, engages more than 4,000 high school students annually across the U.S. to test their knowledge of global issues and foreign policy. This year's topics ranged from Peace and Conflict in Today's World to Global Megacities and Women in the digital age.

Freshman Jonah Shaw, juniors Ashley Peacock, Toni Perez-Stark, and Steven Murff, and seniors Tillie McCoskey, Noah Bernstein, Reid Chickering, Charlie Pippen, Allison Riemer, Chambliss Pierson, Lily Turner, and Zain Imam participated in the event. Lakehill fielded three teams out of the 78 in the competition. Teams answer 10 rounds of 10 questions in the assigned topics.

This was Lakehill's fourth year to compete in the event. "I am so proud of our teams this year," said sponsor Latricia Davis. "We had five teams competing for the three spots we were eligible to take. The competition was fierce, but our students finished ahead of more than the half the other teams."

Each member of the team selects specific topics of interest to specialize in for the competition. "It is fun to watch them become experts in their topics and get excited when they know an answer," said Davis. "I remember Allison Riemer jumping up and down in her chair when a question relating to her research appeared on the screen."

" Academic World Quest was a great way for Lakehill's team to test our knowledge about the events occurring all across the world," said senior Zain Imam. "It helps us become more informed citizens."

Portraying Portia

Shakespeare Takes Freshman to New York City

On February 25, freshman Alanna Stern won the English-Speaking Union (ESU) National Shakespeare Competition, defeating the top ten students from public, private, and magnet schools around the Metroplex. Her performance of Portia from Julius Caesar and Sonnet 116 earned the praise of the three judges from Shakespeare Dallas, including Artistic Director Raphael Parry. In critiquing the contestants, Parry drew parallels to gymnastics . "Alanna started strong, stayed focused and poised through the middle, and really 'stuck the landing.'"

The ESU National Shakespeare Competition provides high school teachers across the country with a performance-based program for the study of English Language Arts and Shakespeare. Through the competition, students develop communication skills and an appreciation of the power of language and literature. "I have been impressed with Alanna's dedication and commitment to doing justice to Shakespeare's words," said Elizabeth Schmitt, Shakespeare Club sponsor. "Her performance Saturday was nuanced and clearly set her apart from the other contestants."

Students read, analyze, perform, and recite Shakespearean monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages: at the school, community, and national levels.

As the winner of the Dallas/Fort Worth ESU competition, Stern takes home a $100 prize and will go on to represent DFW at the ESU National Shakespeare Competition in New York City on May 1. Students will perform their monologues and sonnets before a distinguished panel of judges as well as their fellow contestants from across the country.

Up, Up and Away

Lakehill Superheroes Join Forces for an Awesome Auction

Calling all Superheroes for the 2017 Lakehill Benefit Auction! Mark your calendars for April 22, 2017, for Lakehill's Superhero Soiree. The auction is the largest fundraising effort of the Parent Faculty Club (PFC), raising more than $100,000 each year for the school.

What can you do to help?
1. Be a sponsor. This is an easy way to get involved, and it includes free event tickets too!

2. Help secure auction items. A vacation home. Timeshare. Season tickets. The sky's the limit!

3. Host a sign-up party. Get together with your friends to host a spectacular dinner party or a fun themed event. Look for more information coming next week!

Contact Auction Chair Kelli Powell for more information.

Spring into Summer

Summer is a lot closer than you might think - especially when it comes to signing your kids up for summer camps!

Registration for Lakehill Summer Camps is open, and space is filling quickly. More than 500 registrations have already been received!

With 98 different camps for all grade levels in every area imaginable, this is one summer you don't want to miss!

Check out the new 2017 Summer Camps Guide. Find out more about our Summer Camps programs here.

Serving Others

Community Service

President's Volunteer Service Award - Applications Due Friday, March 31!

Students in any grade, kindergarten through high school, who plan to apply for the President's Volunteer Service Award should turn in their records of service to Ms. Ekstrom by Friday, March 31. All recipients will be recognized at the Award Assemblies in May.

Get more information or download the Tracking Form. Please contact Ms. Ekstrom for more information.

Middle School Community Connections Partners with Girl Scouts to Support Animals

Lakehill Girl Scouts in Troop 5453 who are working on their Bronze Award partnered with members of the Middle School Community Connections Club to collect hundreds of items in a school-wide drive for the SPCA of Texas. In addition to collecting items, the group also made cat and dog toys during their lunchtime Community Connections meetings.

Upcoming Service Opportunities - March and April

Saturday, March 4 - Operation Beautification - All Lakehill students and families are invited to join Mr. Perry and the Warrior Outreach Organization (WOO) for a morning of service with the Ferguson Road Initiative. Meet at the Walgreen's at 2301 Lakeland at Ferguson. Cleaning tools will be available. Breakfast will be provided. Find out more.

Saturday, April 1 - WOO Event at North Texas Food Bank - All Upper School students are invited to join WOO for a service project at the North Texas Food Bank. Bus transportation is provided. Students will depart Lakehill at 12:15 p.m. and will return by 4:00 p.m. Contact Student Council Vice-President Claire Crow, Ms. Thorne, or Ms. Ekstrom for more information.

Saturday, April 8 - Kite Day - Noon - 2:00 p.m.

All students in grades eight through twelve are invited to help host Kite Day for students from Bayles Elementary and their families. Contact Ms. Hauschild for more information.

Sunday, April 22 - Earth Day Texas - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Lakehill students and families who are interested in helping with the Lakehill booth at Earth Day Texas on Sunday, April 22, should sign up here.

Saturday, April 29 - National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Shoreline Spruce-Up at White Rock Lake - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. All members should plan to attend. Contact Ms. Blanchette or Ms. Pippen for more information.

Construction Corner

Update from Headmaster Roger Perry

The project continues to make progress. The new portions of the building have now been waterproofed. The current gray facade will not be the finished color.

The stucco installation has commenced on the West side of the new building. The brick masons are beginning their work on the courtyard side. Work is also underway to frame the hard ceilings and sheetrock in the interior rooms. We are still on schedule to connect the buildings in two major areas over Spring Break.

Be sure to take a look at our construction photos and time-lapse videos .

Senior Spotlight

National Junior Honor Society Highlights Lakehill's Soon-to-be Graduates

NJHS Spotlight on Seniors

This week's senior: Chambliss Pierson

Chambliss Pierson has been a part of Lakehill Preparatory School since her sophomore year and along the way, she has participated in the many school activities and classes that Lakehill offers. Throughout her years of high school, Chambliss has been a member of several different clubs such as Academic WorldQuest, Debate, National Honor Society, Ambassadors, Musical Theater, Shakespeare Club, Choir, Drama, and Improv. In addition to these clubs, she has also participated in school sports like Varsity Softball.

Chambliss has contributed to many community service projects abroad. While doing service in Romania she was tasked with building a school from the ground up "in the middle of nowhere" which as she puts it, "was daunting."

Besides a strong passion for anime, Chambliss also loves other "foreign TV" and graphic novels. When asked who her role models were, she responded with, "My mom because she's nice to everyone and I don't know how that's possible... like everyone!" Chambliss also admires the historical figure Joan of Arc. Her advice to future high school students is, "Manage your time and don't procrastinate."

Chambliss's favorite classes have been APUSH with Ms. Davis and her English classes with Mr. Hagood. She has earned many honors at Lakehill, one of her favorites being a Silver Medal on the National French Exam. She was selected as the campus winner in last year's ESU National Shakespeare Competition and was Lakehill's runner-up this year.

Chambliss has applied to the University of Texas, Stanford University, University of Southern California, John Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, New York University, and many more colleges where she plans to study international relations and political economy. Chambliss also hopes to major in international trade law.

As Chambliss prepares to graduate, she offers this advice for younger Warriors: "The greatest lesson I have learned at Lakehill is don't put too much pressure on yourself and make sure to live your life in high school."

By Kathryn Mahan, eighth grade

Sports Snippets

Warrior Pride

Varsity Girls Basketball

Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Basketball team on being TAPPS 3A Regional Finalists. They finished with a record of 19 wins and eight losses, including a 13-game winning streak in the middle of the season. Their championship run came to an end on February 24, with a 54-39 loss to Denton Calvary.

Charity Abengowe finished her Warrior career with 29 points in her final game. Ashley Peacock added nine points with three three-point shots. Freshman Alanna Stern shut down Calvary's leading scorer and held her to only a few points. The Warriors had good rebounding games again from seniors McKinney Waggoner and Giulia Ferguson.

"This group of girls had the best chemistry playing together of any team I have ever coached," said Head Coach Rob Vaughan. Congratulations Lady Warriors on an outstanding season!

See more pictures.

Varsity Baseball

The Varsity Baseball team is off to a solid start. Although they lost their first game on February 24 to Shelton, the Warriors came back with a 9-3 victory over Poetry Christian on February 28.

Solid pitching by Dylan Welch and Jonathan Kelley, combined with a strong defensive effort, led to the victory. Griffin Burt and Warren Lester led the base running attack, while Charlie Pippen made a great defensive play at third base to keep Poetry Christian off the base paths. The Warriors are at home against McKinney Cornerstone on Thursday, March 2, at 4:30 p.m.

Varsity Crew

Middle and Upper School students are invited to learn more about the sport of rowing during Spring Break at White Rock Rowing's Discover Rowing event on Tuesday, March 14, from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the White Rock Boathouse.
Find out more.