Academy news & updates
January 2022
Celebrating the Academy Experience
Senior Earns Full Four-Year Scholarship
Academy senior Naimah Edwards has been named a Match Scholarship Recipient by QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that partners with leading institutions of higher education to provide full four-year scholarships. As one of this year’s 1,674 Match Scholarship Recipients from across the country, Naimah will attend Boston University with a generous financial aid package provided by the college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.
Summer Experience Registration
A preview of 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 opens on February 1, for Columbus Academy families and alumni on February 2 and to the general public on February 3. Sessions begin on June 7 and continue through August 5.
Return of the Little Dribblers
We have a double-dose of Little Dribblers for you this winter! Our third-graders performed at a varsity girls basketball game (view photos) and Ohio State men's basketball win against Wisconsin last month and will appear again at our boys basketball 7:30 p.m. game on January 7 against Centerburg in The Mack. Our fourth-graders, who didn't have the opportunity to perform last year, will be putting their skills on display at the OSU men's basketball game vs. Penn State on January 16 (time TBD), at our varsity girls' 6:00 p.m. game against Tree of Life on February 3 and at our boys' 7:30 p.m. tipoff with Worthington Christian on February 11. Keep an eye out for a pep rally performance as well!
International Music Accolades
Academy senior Anna Linder captured first place in the soloist violin group for ages 16-18 during the recent 2021 Bellagrande International Music Competition! Her performance of Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 63, I also earned bronze in the Overall Grand Prize as she was the only violinist to medal. Additionally, Anna teamed with junior cellist Kate Fornshell in the Dajj String Quartet to win first prize in the chamber ensemble category for ages 16-18. They performed Mendelssohn String Quartet Op 12, No.2, I in the competition that featured musicians from all over the world including China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Thailand and North America.
Parents Provide Winter Treats
Thank you to our parents and guardians for providing delicious cookies to our faculty and staff last month as well as a Hot Cocoa Celebration to the entire Middle School! To view images from the sixth grade's turn to enjoy hot chocolate, apple cider, peppermint sticks and Oreo cookies, click here.
Students Make Impact on Community
It was wonderful to see so many beautiful bowls, enthusiastic students and our community supporting the Westerville Habitat Partnership at the annual Empty Bowls/Soup for Shelter event on December 10 at Otterbein University (view photos). The money raised will go towards the annual walls-build event slated for August when Academy families and members of our community will help build a home for someone in need.
Lower School Winter Concert
"Congratulations to Amy McLaughlin and Michelle Schroeder-Lowrey for such a terrific program and for putting us in the holiday spirit!" That is what Head of Lower School Mark Hansen wrote to faculty and staff following the live performance of our Winter Closing Program that was streamed to families. In addition to the concert video, view highlights and photos by clicking here.
State Winners in Stock Market Game
Each year, students in John Exline’s economics class compete in the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game, which offers a chance to actively participate in the fundamental aspects of the stock market. For the fall portion of the competition, teams from Academy earned the top three places in the state! The winning squad of Julia DeVore and Tara Hoffman will split $150 in Target gift cards, and both of these seniors will receive an award certificate. The state runners-up were juniors Gabe Eribo and Max Zhang, and the third-place pairing consisted of seniors Ben Anasis and Kian Jennings. To beat out all the other high school teams in Ohio, the portfolio managed by Julia and Tara gained slightly more than 49% during the 10-week game (rising from $100,00 to $149,378).
Kindergartners Enjoy Buddies' Robots
Last month, seniors in Tom DeVore's electronics class surprised their kindergarten buddies with robots made as part of the course's end-of-semester project. According to Mr. DeVore, senior Zara Syed specifically came up with the idea to incorporate the Senior-Kindergarten Buddy program into the experience so the kindergartners could play with the finished robots. Included in the group was a dog robot named "Spot" who made a new friend with Zara's cat robot, along with some holiday-themed robots that featured blinking lights and music (view video and photos).
Youth Floor Hockey Clinic
Our athletics department has added a Floor Hockey Clinic to our youth sports offerings for Academy students in grades 2-5. The 9:00-10:30 a.m. sessions in our fieldhouse will be held on four consecutive Sundays beginning January 30 and will be led by varsity ice hockey head coach Adam McHugh. For more details, visit columbusacademy.org/youthsports.
More Academy Coverage
Academy senior Cyrus Richardson was one of 45 young artists from across the state to have had artwork selected for the Third Annual Juried High School Art Exhibition at Otterbein University’s Miller Gallery recently (learn more). Additional coverage of recent events happening within our classrooms, campus and community on our social media has included: