Academy news & updates
December 2021
Celebrating the Academy Experience
Pair of Academy Legends Retiring
Anne Horton and Kim Stercula – who have had enormous impacts on our athletics program, school and community during their time at Columbus Academy – both announced last month that they will be retiring at the end of this academic year. Anne was brought in at the very beginning of coeducation at Academy and has coached our varsity field hockey team since its initial season in 1991. She also taught physical education for 32 years and coached multiple other sports. At the end of her 38th season coaching field hockey, Anne earned her 600th career victory, making her just the 11th high school field hockey coach in the country to ever reach that milestone. Kim was hired as our head athletic trainer in 2001 and has provided Academy’s student-athletes with the highest level of care for the past 21 years while also mentoring many young athletic trainers. She was the 2005 Athletic Trainer of the Year in Ohio and was inducted into the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame earlier this year. Please join us in thanking these two incredible women for all they have done for our community!
Scenes from Veterans Day
For a glimpse of Veterans Day 2021 on our campus, click here. Additional activities organized by Student Council included a lunchtime presentation to upper-schoolers about the service academies and college ROTC programs, the opportunity to sample Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and letter-writing stations encouraging students to send messages to active, reserve and veteran military.
Annual Empty Bowls Event on Dec. 10
All are welcome to join the Columbus Academy Service Board and our ceramics program for the annual Empty Bowls/Soup for Shelter event at the Otterbein University Campus Center from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10. Each $15 ticket benefits the Westerville Habitat Partnership and includes your choice of soup, bread, cookie, beverage and a handcrafted bowl made by Academy ceramics students. Purchase your tickets in advance from Charity White or Christy Bening or at the door the night of the event. Can't attend but still want a bowl? Contact Ms. White for more information.
Parent Education Series Continues
Many thanks to all parents and guardians who attended PACA's in-person Watch Party on November 9 to hear psychiatrist Dr. Janet Taylor, M.D., MPH, discuss how to maximize children's social/emotional well-being, how to identify mental health red flags and when to seek additional help (access recording). The final Parent Webinar from ISACS – Electronic Cigarettes & Vaping: What Parents Should Know – will be on Tuesday, December 7. To view it live from 7:30-8:30 that evening, pre-register here so that you can be sent the link to watch on your own.
Athletic Signing Celebration
We were excited to celebrate four seniors at our first athletic signing celebration of the school year on November 10 (view photos). Congratulations to the following students who have committed to continuing their athletic careers on the collegiate level:
  • Ella Morris, field hockey at DePauw University
  • Zach White, lacrosse at The University of Utah
  • Evie Gee, lacrosse at Radford University
  • Blake Skilken, diving at Ohio State University
Fall Concert Season Recap
Four concerts in nine nights highlighted the progress and talent in this year's choirs, jazz ensemble, orchestras and concert bands. Click on the following links for details, photos and videos from the performances:
After School Activities Are BACK
We are happy to announce the return of After School Activities (ASA) for Explorers through Grade 6! Registration is now open for Winter 2022 ASA programs, which will begin the week of January 10th. All details and information can be found by clicking here. Please contact the Special Programs Office at 614-509-2267 or programs@columbusacademy.org with any questions.
Lower School Parent Talks
All lower school parents and guardians are invited to next Friday's discussion on Responsive Classroom Morning Meetings (details & RSVP link) that will be hosted by Lower School Director of Academic Programs Gabriel Paynter and teachers Miranda Bring '03 (fourth grade), Kelly Black (second grade) & Kenny Hyttenhove (kindergarten). Click on the following links for the presentation slides, photos and videos from yesterday's talk on Literacy Learning.
Alum to Lead Girls Lacrosse Program
Columbus Academy alumna Victoria Foreman ’07 has been hired as our new head coach for girls lacrosse, Director of Athletics Jason Singleton recently announced. For the past four years, Victoria has been an assistant coach for the lacrosse teams at Thomas Worthington High School. “I’m excited to be returning to Academy,” she told us, “and giving back to a program that gave so much to me during my time at the school.”
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