Weekly News Friday, February 17, 2023

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023

In This Issue

· News Spotlights ProjectElla

· Alumna Program Makes Headlines

· Teachers Heading to Border

· Teaching Duo Makes Science Fun

· Experiment Has Class Aglow

· Students Learn Computer History

· Scholarship Offers Match

· Activist Speaks to Class

· March Open House Registration

· Admissions Exam Slots Available

· SAT Exam Prep Slots

· Academic Challenge Bowl

· Join our Team

· Spring Sports Sign-Up

· Coaches vs Cancer

· Daffodil Days

· Bake Sale for Breast Cancer Org

· Spreading Kindness

· Galentine's Day

· Mardi Gras Celebrations

· 3D Art

· JLOC Towel Drive

· Amazon Smile

· School Calendar

ProjectElla Gets Spotlight by Local News Stations

When Ella Schoenborn started ProjectElla to help the homeless and hungry in and around the Capital Region, she intended to shine a spotlight on a growing societal issue, not herself.

Her work earned her national recognition, and now her story is being shared via several news outlets to help spread her message of positivity. Click the links below to watch.

"Positively Upstate" Feature on WRGB CBS6 Albany

News10ABC Feature

News Feature Highlights Alumna's Pre-School Program

Courtesy: Jaclyn Cangro/Spectrum News 1

It's not just current students making headlines, but Holy Names alumnae as well.

Aaren Hatalsky Harris '95 was featured on Spectrum News Albany for the "Little Wings Farm School" pre-school program she created which serves to inspire future farmers. Follow the link to learn more.

Spectrum News Feature

Members of Theology Department Headed to U.S.-Mexico Border

During winter break, Campus Minister Theresa Moran, along with Bernadette McSparron, and Dr. Phyllis Morrison (not pictured) will be headed to the U.S.-Mexico border.

It's part of Encuentro: Immigration and the Catholic Educator’s Response, a class offered through Boston College, which provides Catholic educators with the opportunity to examine the current reality of immigration.

They'll be staying at Sacred Heart Parish in El Paso, and activities will include visiting shelters, and meeting with religious and lay ministers as well as border patrol agents.

Mother and Son Educators Have Teaching Down to a Science

She’s a little bit biology. He’s a little bit physics.

They’re Debbie and Matt Baxter, the dynamic mother-son duo in the Holy Names science department. She teaches AP Biology and Biology. He teaches Earth Science, Physics, and AP Computer Science.

Read their story here.

AP Bio Students Aglow Following Latest Experiment

Normally when you hear E.coli bacteria referenced, "fun" is not the first thing that comes to mind. That just means you haven't sat in on one of Mrs. Baxter's AP Bio classes.

This week students transformed regular E. coli into glowing E. coli, replicating a process produced by the Aequorea victoria jellyfish.

The experiment, in addition to the interesting outcome, teaches students that genes from all organisms follow a universal code that can be “read” by other organisms. The glowing protein produced is used as a biological marker making it easier to study cells and their functions.

Students Learn History of Computers

Ms. Flansburg's Computers and Technology class is taking a deep dive into the history of computers -- more specifically learning about the generations of the devices. They were able to take a virtual tour of the Computer History Museum.

Long before the days of the IPhone with built-in calculators, the abacus and mechanical rule were used to perform calculations. Students also learned about other types of computers from Super Computers and mainframes to laptops, desktops, and embedded computers.

Warren Mackey Scholarship Fund Matching Donations

Senior Sandra Odom is a recipient of the Warren Mackey Scholarship as well as the YWCA-GCR Young Girls on a Mission Award.

For the past two years, The Warren Mackey Memorial Scholarship, established by his wife Denyse, and daughters Madison '22 and Makayla '23, has been presented to deserving black students who demonstrate academic excellence, resilience, and leadership skills. This year's recipient is senior Sandra Odom.

In recognition of Black History Month, The Warren and Denyse Mackey Foundation is matching gifts to this scholarship up to $2,500.

Click Here to Support the Warren Mackey Scholarship Fund

Guest Speaker(s) Detail Local Activism

Sunshine was brought to a cloudy day as Sandra Odom was joined by her mother, Tamara Thorpe-Odom '92, and her grandfather Earl Thorpe during her senior theology class on Thursday.

Earl appeared via Zoom and shared with the class his life of activism in the Capital Region.

Thorpe was a member of the doo-wop group The Fidelitys which appeared on American Bandstand and performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Thorpe delighted the class with a rendition of "My Girl."

The class was also joined by filmmaker Chris Howard, who features Thorpe in her upcoming civil rights documentary "The Activist Next Door."

Our March 9 Open House is right around the corner. It's time to display those lawn signs!

A Holy Names education is more attainable than ever before! If you know a family that may be interested in AHN or may not know about our tuition restructuring, encourage them to attend the Open House or reach out to our Admissions office at 518-438-4895 x202.

Registration for interested families is now available by following the link below. PLUS, if you refer another family to the Open House and they attend and provide your name, you will receive a $50 Wicked Smart gift card for AHN apparel!

Admissions Exam Slots Available

Click Here to Register

More admissions testing opportunities have been made available for prospective students, and there are still free slots for upcoming exams.

The exam serves as a scholarship qualifying exam as well as assists with student placement. Up to ½ tuition awards will be given to high scoring students. The next upcoming exam date is:

Saturday, March 18, 8:30 a.m.

SAT Prep Class Sign-Ups Available

Sign-ups are now available for upcoming SAT prep classes.

The classes start in April for the June exams.

Follow the link for dates, times, and cost information.

SAT Prep Class Info

Academic Challenge Bowl Team Competes

Congratulations to the Academic Challenge Bowl team, in its second ever competition, winning one of its two matchups this week at Tamarac.

Its final competition of the season is scheduled for March 29.

Join Our Team!

Come join our team! Our Athletics department has three openings: Golf Coach, Assistant Soccer Coach, and Junior Varsity Lacrosse Coach. Help us build upon a winning tradition and show your Panther pride!

Visit our Employment Page

Spring Sports Sign-Ups Available Online

Athletics Schedule

Attention: Parents and guardians.

Spring sports start March 13. Sign-ups for lacrosse, softball, and outdoor track are now available on the Parent Portal. Once you log in to myAHN, an alert banner will pop up allowing you to fill out the online form.

All spring athletes must be signed up and have an updated physical. Students can check with Mrs. McKenna if they are unsure about their status.

Other questions? Contact Athletic Director Teagan Waddingham.

Playoff Matchup to Benefit Coaches vs Cancer

The 7th-seeded Varsity basketball squad is set for its opening round Section 2 Class A playoff matchup versus Hudson Falls.

The game is scheduled for Saturday night at 6:30 at Holy Names.

It will be a Pink game, and proceeds from ticket sales and 50/50 raffle will benefit The American Cancer Society and Coaches vs Cancer. Everyone in attendance is encouraged to wear pink!

Daffodil Days Fundraiser

For her senior service project, Maureen Brooks is selling fresh cut or potted daffodils to benefit the American Cancer Society! Daffodils are the first flower of spring and the symbol of hope, and Maureen will be collecting orders. Orders will be available for pickup the week of March 20. To download the order form and for payment information, follow the link below.

Daffodil Days Order Form and Payment Information

Bake Sale Raises Money for Breast Cancer Foundation

As part of her ongoing endeavor to raise breast cancer awareness, senior Morgan Hannafin (assisted by Lizzie Sweeter) held a Valentine's Day bake sale this week with proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Students Spread the Love on Valentine's Day

There was more than one reason to spread the love this week. In addition to Valentine's Day, it is also Random Acts of Kindness Week. Members of SADD (Morgan Hannafin, Kate Regan, Sophia Kaiser, Ryan Carroll, Rebekah Hannoush, and Alice Kekis) did their part by placing notes of inspiration on the lockers of their fellow students.

"Galentine's Day" Commemoration

Mrs. Jones and her social studies class focused on self-love and friendship this "Galentine's Day."

Each student wrote a journal about self-love and the important qualities of friendship. That was followed by a Valentine's Day around-the-world escape room to learn how different countries around the globe celebrate the day.

Mardi Gras Arrives Early for French Club

Mardi Gras, the lead-in to Ash Wednesday may not be happening until students are on Winter Break next week, but that didn't stop the French Club from celebrating a little early.

Students, with the help of Mrs. Gibbons, enjoyed crepes in The Commons and made traditional masks.

Art Students Get Behind the Wheel

Mrs. Sela's 3D Art students are getting behind the wheel -- the pottery wheel that is.

Senior Nora Murphy (far right) is taking an independent study this semester focusing on ceramic arts.

A special thanks to Friends of the Arts for purchasing the wheels for the art room. FOA is always looking for new members. Click the link to sign up.

Become an FOA Member

Towel and Washcloth Drive

The Junior Ladies of Charity will be holding a towel drive for the St. Paul’s Center. Boxes will be placed throughout the school for donations of clean towels and washcloths.

The drive will be held from February 13 through March 3.

Support AHN through Amazon Smile

Amazon is closing Amazon Smile on February 20 -- but you still have time to take advantage of this easy way to support Holy Names. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to AHN! Just follow the easy steps below.

Always shop using smile.amazon.com: