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The Warrior Weekly
Issue: #17 January 8, 2009
In This Issue
The Road to Washington
Mall Music
World Travelers
Faculty Spotlight
Sports Snippets
What's Happening
Lakehill In The News
Quick Links
Lakehill Calendar
Lakehill Home Page
Ren Web
Lunch Menu
THE ROAD TO WASHINGTON
Brooks and Spencer 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."  
MALL MUSIC
Elementary Choir Performs at NorthPark
Choir at NorthParkLakehill'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.
WORLD TRAVELERS
Third Grade Trip Around the World
Trip Around WorldLakehill 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!"
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Linda Booth Receives EMT Award
Linda Booth 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."
SPORTS SNIPPETS
Varsity Boys' Basketball
January 9Basketball.Cayme
Lakehill vs. Garland Christian; 7:30pm
January 13
Lakehill at Canyon Creek; 7:30pm

Varsity Girls' Basketball
January 9
Lakehill vs. Garland Christian; 6:00pm
January 13
Lakehill at Canyon Creek; 6:00pm

JV Boys' Basketball
January 10
Lakehill vs. Garland Christian; 4:30pm
January 13
Lakehill at Canyon Creek; 4:30pm

Middle School Boys' Basketball
January 8
Lakehill (blue) vs. Providence - 5:00pm
January 12
Lakehill at Good Shepherd - 5:30pm

Middle School Girls' Basketball
January 12
Lakehill at Good Shepherd - 4:30pm
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Welcome Back!
January 9
Admission Application Deadline
Applications 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
Leading to success.