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Worldly and Wise
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Seventh Grader Wins Second Straight Geo Bee
Jack Pippen knew the term used for regions of reduced precipitation that occur only on the downwind side of mountain ranges. His answer, rain shadow, won him the school title in the Geo Bee for the second year in a row. The seventh grader smiled as he was announced Lakehill's champion. Pippen edged out sixth grader Reed Henry in a tie-breaking round. The two boys each answered two of three questions correctly in the Final Round, leading up to the tie-breaking question. Third place went to John Devine while Kenneth Ruddy and Irtiza Raza finished fourth and fifth, respectively. The Bee is organized by the
National Geographic Society, and each year thousands of schools in the United
States participate in this entertaining and challenging test of geographic
knowledge for students in fourth through eighth grade.
Fourteen students competed in Lakehill's after-school event,
which consisted of seven rounds of questions. As a school winner, Pippen will
take a 70-question test. The top 100 test takers in the state will compete on
April 9 for the state title. Each state winner will advance to Washington,
D.C. for the national finals in May. |
World Travelers
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Third Grade Trip Around the World Although no bags were packed and no passports were required, third grade students recently offered visitors a fascinating trip around the globe. Travelers to Lakehill's cafeteria on December 14 were offered an international experience of the histories, cultures, costumes, and cuisines of a variety of countries.
The annual Trip around the World Festival allowed each third grade student the opportunity to serve as an ambassador and tour guide for the country of their choice. Each student
completed a research report, developed a poster highlighting interesting aspects
of their country, and prepared a sample of the cuisine representative of that country.
Some students dressed in native costumes and brought music and artifacts. Parents, teachers, and students wandered from country to country, exploring the sights, smells, and sounds from around the globe. It's a small world, after all.
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College Bound
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Efforts to Apply Early Pay Off
College advising at Lakehill
is a
highly-individualized process designed to assist students through an exciting
time in their educational journey. The focus is on assisting students in being
accepted at the colleges and universities that will best match their personal
and academic goals.
To date, Lakehill seniors have submitted 203 applications
to 115 different schools. As of January 5, there have been 42 acceptances
to 28 different institutions.
Thus far, Lakehill students have been accepted to Auburn University, Austin
College, Colorado State University, Emerson College, Fordham University,
Indiana University at Bloomington, Lynchburg College, Lyon College, Millsaps
College, North Park University, Ohio Northern University, Oklahoma State
University, Pace University - New York City, Providence College, Purdue
University, Radford University, Southern Methodist University, St. Edwards
University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University, Texas
A&M University - Commerce, Texas Christian University, The University of
Alabama, The University of Texas - Austin, Tulane University, University of Colorado, University of
Dallas, University of Denver, University of Michigan, and University of Wisconsin.
Students were strongly encouraged to submit applications
early to receive a decision sooner when possible. Most applications were
submitted before the holiday break.
Heather Dondis, Director of
College Placement, says, "We have had students apply to more schools with
early application deadlines this year than ever. Because our seniors
started their college research early in the junior year, they were able to
determine that these colleges were potential matches for their educational
goals early in the process. Not all schools release decisions this early
so we are looking forward to more good news in March and April."
Mrs. Dondis
will continue to work with seniors on the college admission process and will
conduct College Nights for sophomores and juniors during January and
February.
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Community Spotlight
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Keeping It Clean
Lakehill Preparatory
School Adopt-A-Shoreline team was recently awarded
the President's Volunteer Service Award Silver Level for volunteering over 500
hours during 2009. The President's Volunteer
Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a
certain standard - measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month
period. While the
number of volunteers in attendance varies from month to month, the mission is
the same: making Lakehill's adopted shoreline a little cleaner for all to enjoy. More than 20 volunteers braved the rain in September to lend a hand. In October, over 60 volunteers, ranging in age from 5 to 65, were on
hand to pick up the trash and debris that had descended after heavy storms.
Volunteers covered the shoreline on foot and in kayak, leaving no patch
untouched. The group celebrated their
one-year anniversary as an Adopt-A-Shoreline group in November with what else, a little
trash collecting and an anniversary cake. In December, Lakehill volunteers showed
that they have come a long way since their first clean-up effort some 14 months
ago. These days, it is not uncommon to see volunteers equipped with buckets, work
gloves, canoes and kayaks, with plenty of hot chocolate and treats to share. Faculty member and regular volunteer Tim Hagood explains why so many want to be involved in the clean-up effort, "Everyone who cleans the
lake is happy to be outdoors helping the world, partially because the lake
contains so many stories - in the form of tennis balls, coffee mugs, traffic
cones, rubber footballs, and the other detritus that washes up from it. The
lake, in other words, is its own world, and its good to get out of our own world
and discover another." While the group can be found at the lake come rain or shine, this month's clean up has been postponed due to record low temperatures. The group is dedicated--not crazy.
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Sports Snippets
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Lady Warriors in a Playoff State-of-Mind
The Lady Warriors basketball team has started the district
season with a bang, winning two of their past three games. On January 2,
the girls faced district rival Brook Hill and came away with a 51-46 win. The Lakehill team was lead by an unstoppable Amanda
Boles with 21 points and Sarah Baker
with 14. Jacy Franklin had six points, Kara
Gamboa and Kaitlyn Wilson scored four each,
and Alexis Franklin contributed two points to
the win.
The girls continued on Tuesday with a 58-35 home victory
against their biggest district rival Shelton.
The team was once again led by Sarah
Baker, who scored 15 of her 23 points in the 4th quarter
burst, and Amanda Boles with 18. Kara Gamboa, Jacy
Franklin and Kaitlyn Wilson each
contributed four points while Scout Garnsey score three points and Jenna Burch added
two.
The girls have another big game at home this Saturday at 2:30 pm vs. Garland Christian before hitting
the road for six straight games.
Coach Jhoana Cayme summed
up the girls' success, "The two wins against Brook Hill and Shelton
were huge for us. I think the girls are working extremely well together right
now with only one goal on their minds, which is playoffs. I have preached about
playing with control all season and this by far is the most controlled I have
seen these girls play since I've been here. It's a great thing to see come
together."
View the complete Athletic Calendar here.
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What's Happening?
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Beginning January 5 Bring your old cell phones for Cells for Soldiers. Get more information here.
January 8
Admission Application Deadline
Applications for admission for NEW students
for the 2010-2011 school year are due to the Office of Admission.
January 9 - rescheduled for January 23
Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce-Up
9:00 - 11:00am
January 12
Admission Preview - 9:30am
Admission Previews provide an in-depth overview for prospective parents
considering a Lakehill education for their children. To reserve a place,
contact [email protected].
Don't Miss These College Night Presentations!
January 7 - 7:00 - 8:30 pm
College Financial Aid Presentation
Michael Scott, Director of Financial Aid at Texas Christian University, will
give a presentation at Lakehill on the college financial aid process. All Upper
School and 8th grade parents and
students are invited to attend to learn what financial aid encompasses and how
one can be eligible to apply.
January 11 - 6:30 pm
College Night for Juniors
Mrs. Dondis will discuss PSAT scores as well as address topics related to the
college process such as researching colleges, testing, contacting colleges, and
visiting campuses. All juniors and their parents are strongly encouraged to
attend.
February 9, 6:30-7:30 pm
College Night for Sophomores
Mrs. Dondis will discuss PSAT scores as well as introduce topics related to the
college process itself. All sophomores and their parents are encouraged
to attend.
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