I enjoyed three powerful instances of experiential education this week. First, Mrs. Noble's AP English Language and Composition class conducted "book speed dating." Students scanned through piles of nonfiction books selected by Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Almer, our Librarian. They took a few days to read the first fifty pages and write a rhetorical analysis. They then decided whether to "commit to a deeper relationship" with that book or to move on to a different book. Student choice leads to caring reading and writing, and variety of titles creates opportunities for students to teach each other. Second, the whole school honored guest veterans on Veterans Day. Students and veterans who participated in the Soaring Valor trip to the World War II Museum in New Orleans last year reunited over breakfast. Later, Col. Todd Mayer, who arranged for the school to participate in Soaring Valor, introduced WWII veteran Sgt. Major Armstrong. He held us spellbound with stories of his wartime experiences in Europe. Third, I'm participating in the schools 120 ^th Kairos retreat this week. The senior retreatants, inspired by talks by classmates and teachers, are reflecting on God's action in their lives. Education at McNicholas combines traditional classroom learning with experiential learning.