Academy news & updates
February 2022
Celebrating the Academy Experience
Summer Experience Registration
Registration for Summer Experience 2022 is here! From boxing to Broadway and everything in between, you can start making your plans now for a summer of endless possibilities. Priority registration for returning campers who signed up last year is open now with access coming for all other Academy families and alumni tomorrow and to the general public on Thursday. Please be aware that some programs have already met their maximums and are showing as waitlisted.
Black History Month Events
Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, the third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomlizo Leah Tutu, will be joining the Columbus Academy community virtually at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 18, to speak about her experiences in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa and discuss ways in which she saw the country journey towards unity and reconciliation. Rev. Tutu will discuss the passing of Nelson Mandela and her father, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the opportunities and responsibilities they passed down to subsequent generations. Please save the date and register here. Further details about this and another special event on February 27 are forthcoming.
First Live Musical in Two Years
“Congratulations to the cast, crew and directors of the middle school musical,” wrote Jessica Sneeringer, chair of our performing arts department, to students and faculty following this past weekend’s performances of Matilda the Musical Jr. “It was a brilliant performance with amazing choreography and stunning sets! Well done, all!” Rights to the show prevent us from being able to share footage from the show itself, but you can watch the entire curtain call plus special recognition for the eighth-graders involved by clicking here.
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
The Columbus Academy Alumni Association will recognize and honor Ed Carter 96 and Katie Walker 02 for their outstanding athletic careers with an induction into our Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the dining hall. Immediately following the induction ceremony, the two newest hall-of-famers will be recognized at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game against Wellington. All are welcome to attend! RSVP to alumni@columbusacademy.org.
From Class Project to Spokesperson
As a fourth-grader last year, Conor Miggo learned about the Ronald McDonald House for a class project assigned by faculty member Anne Ramsey. He became passionate about it and now is a spokesperson for this local facility that serves thousands of families in their deepest times of need. We love that community outreach and giving back is a part of the CA curriculum, his parents Steve and Kathy told us. Watch Conors video by clicking here.
Students Artwork Hangs in U.S. Capitol
This painting titled “Lucid” by Columbus Academy junior Alicia Deng is currently on display at the U.S. Capitol as the winning entry in the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for Ohio’s 12th District! “Art has been my go-to method of expression ever since I was really young,” stated Alicia. “I use my artwork to illustrate the light and dark that I see in humanity. Having the privilege of winning gave me a huge sense of acknowledgment that I didn’t really have before, and I hope I can continue sharing this passion with everyone.” The Congressional Art Competition is an annual nationwide visual art competition designed to recognize and encourage artistic talent among high school students.
New Youth Clinics for Golf & Lacrosse
All Columbus Academy students in grades 2-5 are welcome to register for a four-week Junior Vikings Golf Clinic to be led by varsity golf coaches Craig Yakscoe and Maggie Freytag in our fieldhouse on Sundays in February (20 & 27) and March (6 & 13). Registration closes February 14 or when the 30-golfer limit is reached. Also, students in grades 3-6 are welcome to register to play lacrosse through PACA’s Youth Sports Program. The season will begin with a clinic on Sunday, February 27, followed by indoor practices in March and outdoor practices/games in April. Registration closes February 14. Registration and more information about the golf clinic and boys/girls lacrosse leagues can be found at columbusacademy.org/youthsports.
Seventh-Grader Wins Spelling Bee
Last month, our middle-schoolers met in the theatre to watch nine competitors (three from each grade level) compete in the annual Middle School Spelling Bee. This years competition was won by seventh-grader Drona Gaddam, who correctly spelled the word Prioress to claim victory over the other two finalists in sixth-graders Devin Li and Josh Lo. Congratulations to all 12 qualifiers (including three alternates): eighth-graders Stella Huang, Ella Tang, Sophie Forbes and Angela Zhang, seventh-graders Drona, Max Berry, Meera Srini and Claire Zhao, as well as sixth-graders Devin, Josh, Jude Suh and Clare McCarthy. Watch the entirety of the competition by clicking here.
Youth Nights at Basketball Games
Attention PACA basketball teams... all boys and girls players are invited to attend their respective varsity teams game for Youth Night this month. Girls basketball players are invited to the varsity game on February 8 vs. Centerburg and boys hoops players to the varsity game on February 17 against Grandview Heights. Players are encouraged to wear their team jerseys to the games, which both tip off in The Mack at 7:30 p.m. We hope to see you there cheering on our Vikes!
More Academy Coverage