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The Warrior Weekly
Volume 2, Issue 17
January 7, 2010

In This Issue
Worldly and Wise
World Travelers
College Bound
Community Spotlight
Sports Snippets
What's Happening?
Lakehill in the News
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Worldly and Wise
Seventh Grader Wins Second Straight Geo Bee
GeoBee.1Jack 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
trip.2
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.
College Bound
graduation cap 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.
Community Spotlight
Keeping It Clean
FTLOTL.4 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.
Sports Snippets
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.
What's Happening?
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.
Welcome Back to School!