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THE ROAD TO WASHINGTON
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 Students Prepare to Attend Presidential Inauguration
On
January 20, when all eyes are cast upon our nation's capital and the
swearing-in of Barack Obama as our nation's 44th President, two
Lakehill eighth grade students will have a front row seat. The incredible
journey for Lakehill students Brooks Vickery and Spencer Abrams began in 2007
when teacher Bryna Thomson saw leadership potential and nominated both students
to attend a prestigious national conference. Brooks and Spencer spent six days
in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia at the Junior National
Young Leader's Conference. As alumni of the program, the two were invited as a
select few from around the nation to attend the Junior Presidential Youth
Inaugural Conference and have the opportunity to witness a truly historic event
- the presidential inauguration. When the invitation arrived last spring, the
historic impact of this inauguration and what it would mean to be in attendance
was still not known.
On
January 17, Brooks and Spencer will head to Washington, D.C. for four days where they will network with other Inaugural Scholars, hear world-renowned speakers including Al Gore and Colin Powell, and enjoy all of the inaugural festivities.
The Inauguration Day Celebration includes private access to
the Smithsonian Institution on the National Mall and the opportunity to witness
the Inauguration, Oath of Office, and Inaugural Address of the 44th President
of the United States. Vickery and Abrams will view the Inaugural Parade over lunch at the historic Marriott
Wardman Park Hotel as the President and Vice President's motorcade travels from
the United States Capitol Building down Pennsylvania
Avenue to the White
House. The exclusive Gala Inaugural Ball is the culmination of the Conference,
and guests will celebrate in the center of the inaugural festivities as the
nation's capital buzzes with excitement.
Brooks Vickery, who has attended Lakehill since Kindergarten, is the daughter
of Tim and Karen Vickery of Lakewood. Spencer Abrams, also of
Lakewood, is the son of John Abrams
and Cynthia Ford. He has attended
Lakehill since first grade. Headmaster Roger Perry says, "We have watched Brooks and Spencer grow up at Lakehill. We are so pleased to be a part of their success."
The
students have experienced a bit of a whirlwind media tour since returning to
school this week, appearing Monday and Tuesday on CBS Channel 11 News and on
Wednesday in a radio interview with Senior Reporter Jim Ryan of WBAP News/Talk Radio
820. An interview with the Dallas Morning News is scheduled for Monday.
Parents
of both students are obviously proud. Cynthia Ford says she is grateful
that her son "will be able to participate in an experience that carries with it
a sense of hope for the future, and the wonderful feeling that comes from so
many Americans of all walks of life joining together in a shared vision for our
nation." Karen Vickery says she hopes the experience further inspires her daughter
to "acknowledge the huge individual responsibility of every citizen to
participate and take personal ownership of our country's future." She believes
her daughter has been given a rare opportunity and hopes she "will share what
she learns and that she will serve as a positive role model for her
generation."
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MALL MUSIC
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Elementary Choir Performs at NorthPark
 Lakehill's Elementary Choir shared their holiday spirit
with shoppers during a recent performance at NorthPark Mall. The choir
entertained parents, supporters, and shoppers with favorites including
"We're the Future" and "Holiday Train."
Lakehill's choir was one of 135 groups invited to perform in front of
Dillard's during the holiday season. Groups of all types were scheduled during
the two week window, which ran from December 3 - 21.
Chris Winter, who has been overseeing the program for NorthPark for the past
eleven years explains, "The program is very important to NorthPark. This
is our way of giving back and providing a venue that allows students to perform
outside of their school." Winter says that she reads the paper to educate
herself on various groups to determine who they would like to perform at
NorthPark. She says that they look for groups that have an organized director,
well-behaved students, and of course, talent. Winter also hopes that the
holiday performances will give people an additional reason to visit NorthPark
during the holidays.
The Lakehill Elementary Choir is composed of third and fourth grade students
who meet once a week after school to practice. The choir is under the direction
of Mrs. Linda Booth. This is the first year
that the choir has performed at NorthPark.
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WORLD TRAVELERS
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Third Grade Trip Around the World
 Lakehill third grade students hosted a world vacation for
families and students in December. The cost to travel was nothing, but the
value of the experience for the "travelers" and the "tour guides" was priceless.
Lakehill's cafeteria became a globe, where visitors were able to experience
the food, culture, and history of many countries in one short afternoon.
For three weeks, students in Mrs. Hopper's and Miss
Livengood's classes researched and studied at home and at school. Each child
chose a country to research and was responsible for finding out a wealth of
information, including primary language spoken, unique foods and holidays, famous
people, and a short history of the country. Some of the countries chosen were France, Tunisia, India, Canada,
and China.
The students were able to share what they had learned at the Trip around the
World Festival, held on December 16. Students served as ambassadors and tour guides to the
country they had researched. Each student completed a research report, developed a poster highlighting interesting aspects of their country, and prepared a sample of the cuisine native to that country. Some students dressed
in native costumes and brought music and artifacts. It was truly a small world with
the sights, smells, and sounds from around the globe, all in one room.
Third grade teacher Heather Hopper summed up the event, "The children obviously enjoy
this project every year. It is truly one of the highlights of third grade. We
are so proud of how much the students got out of their research... and our bellies
are full of the tasty cuisine from all over the
globe!"
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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
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Linda Booth Receives EMT Award
Music Teacher
and Performing Arts Department Chair Linda Booth was recently voted EMT (Emergency
Medical Technician) of the Year by the Sunnyvale Fire Department. The Department annually recognizes an EMT who is active in the Department and
responds regularly to emergency calls. A special plaque was awarded at the Fire
Department's annual Christmas party in December. Booth also received this award
in 2006.
Booth has worked with the Sunnyvale Fire Department for four years. The Department employs three full-time people during the week and is staffed
completely by volunteers at night and on weekends. As a volunteer, Booth
responds to calls when she is able, usually on weekends and nights during the
week. She has an emergency radio and pager in her home which goes off when fire
or ambulance personnel are needed.
Booth's interest in the medical field began at an early age. Although she wanted to
become a nurse, she was encouraged to pursue her obvious talent in music. She followed this advice, but always remained curious about the medical side of things. Her
involvement in an accident in Sunnyvale a few years ago in which she was assisted
by neighbors prompted her to inquire about becoming a volunteer. Booth took a
course at Brookhaven that summer to get her certification. She earned her
basic EMT certification in June 2005 and spent all of last year becoming a
paramedic. Booth says she loves learning new things and enjoys the physical
aspects of working in an ambulance. Says Booth, "It's nice to know that a
person can still do new, challenging things as they get older!"
When asked about her award, a grateful but humble Booth explains, "I am so
honored to have received this award. The Department is full of kind, dedicated
people. There are so many who should receive this award."
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SPORTS SNIPPETS
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Varsity Boys' Basketball
January 9 Lakehill vs. Garland Christian; 7:30pm January 13
Lakehill at Canyon Creek; 7:30pm January 9Lakehill vs. Garland Christian; 6:00pm January 13 Lakehill at Canyon Creek; 6:00pm January 10Lakehill vs. Garland Christian; 4:30pm Lakehill at Canyon Creek; 4:30pm January 8Lakehill (blue) vs. Providence - 5:00pm
January 12Lakehill at Good Shepherd - 5:30pm
January 12Lakehill at Good Shepherd - 4:30pm |
WHAT'S HAPPENING
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Welcome Back!
January 9
Admission Application DeadlineApplications for admission for NEW students for the 2009-2010 school year are due to the Office of Admission. January 13
Admission Preview - 9:30am January 14
Basketball Photos January 15
Thespian Induction - 1:30 - 2:20pm
January 15
College Night for Juniors - 6:00 - 7:30pm
Join Mrs. Dondis as she discusses PSAT scores and topics related to the college
process, including researching colleges, testing, contacting colleges, and
visiting campuses. All juniors and their parents are strongly encouraged to
attend.
January 16
Fourth Grade Fly-Up |
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