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The unselfish effort to bring happiness to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.
~Helen Keller
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Photo by Patty Pippen.
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Coast to Coast
Costa Rica Offers Opportunities for Fun, Service
Costa Rica, a country synonymous with tropical beaches, the wonders of nature, scintillating culture, and adventure and eco tourism, has all the necessary components of an ideal vacation. No wonder Lakehill Upper School students made Costa Rica their destination of choice for spring break.
The group, comprised of 16 Spanish and Environmental Science students and 4 chaperones, was accompanied by a Costa Rican guide who shared his knowledge and insight to the culture, biology of animals, and natural science of his country. Students learned first hand about the people and culture of Costa Rica as well as the variety of ecosystems the group visited, from the Caribbean Sea to the cloud forest to the active volcano and jungle of the Pacific Coast.
Traveling by boat provided an inside look through the canals of the area. Along the canal rides the group saw capuchin monkeys, boat-billed heron, and amazing spiders and their intricate webs.
The group traveled to Tortuguero, a village on the Northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and the neighboring Tortuguero National Park where they learned about the endangered green sea turtles. The beaches around Tortuguero are key nesting sites for many of the world's most endangered species of sea turtle.
Besides learning science and practicing Spanish, the group planted trees in an environmental reforestation project to give back to the people of Costa Rica and to offset their carbon footprint. Students and sponsors spent a morning planting 200 almond trees on land where the forest had been cleared.
The group traveled on to the center of the country and the active volcano Arenal, and then across the country to the Pacific coast where they hiked in the lush Montevideo Cloud Forest. After a two and a half hour hike into the jungle, the group arrives at their rustic campsite: no electricity, just birds, butterflies, and a lot of growling creatures in the jungle. From jungles filled with toucans and poison dart frogs to coatis in the parking lot and a three-toed sloth along the road, wildlife was prevalent throughout the trip.
Before leaving, the group presented the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Costa Rica with a check for $1500. Students has raised the money in honor of Lakehill alumna Haley Wester, who lost her courageous battle with cystic fibrosis twelve years ago. See related East Dallas Times story here.
After an amazing week in Costa Rica, the group returned to San Jose for their return flight home. See related story and more photos here.
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 Don't Rock the Boat
For Physics Students, It's Sink or Swim
Students in Heather Ganio's Introductory Physics class just wrapped up a unit on fluids with a sink or swim assignment. After learning the basics of pressure, buoyancy, and how fluids flow, students set out on their own boat building mission. They then used their newly acquired knowledge to calculate the weight of the water displaced by their boat and how deep the boats would sink in the water with their selected passenger inside. The guidelines allowed students to use only cardboard, duct tape, and plastic wrap or tarp. Students also had to build their paddles out of these materials. As for the actual design of the boat, students were limited only by their imaginations, resulting in some extremely creative designs.
The boats were launched on Tuesday morning at the Lakewood Country Club. Onlookers cheered the students as they first tested the boat's ability to make it across the pool. Students then tested their speed in a race across the pool, and finally, tested the boats to determine which could hold multiple people. Fortunately, all the boats made it across the pool, and no one found themselves swimming to shore.
Although this is her first year to present this project, Ganio thinks it was a huge success. "I gave very little instruction, so the kids had to complete the research on the boats and think through the calculations," she explained. "It was a very problem-solving oriented project. The kids really got involved in the design and calculations. I've already had prospective physics students for next year talk to me about the design for their boat and how they are going to make it great."
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Talking Trash
Environmental Summit Engages Community
Lakehill will have the opportunity to showcase its LEED certified Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center to the community during its third event in its Environmental Summit series. The Summit is a free speaker series for parents, local business owners, and community members who are interested in environmental awareness and sustainability.
The event, The Next 100 Years: The Legacy of Litter at White Rock Lake, will be held on Tuesday, April 5 and is co-sponsored by Legal Grounds. The event kicks off at 8:30 am networking time to visit with the many exhibitors showcasing their green products and services and a light breakfast provided by Legal Grounds. The program begins at 9:00 am and will conclude at 10:30 am. The Environmental Science Center will remain open to attendees until 11:00 am to allow for more networking and visiting with exhibitors.
The program is a lively, interactive panel discussion that features provocative photographs of debris created by human nature, contrasted with the natural beauty of White Rock Lake. The photographs are currently on display at the "Trashing Our Treasure" exhibit at the Bath House Cultural Center. Other pertinent issues to be discussed include details of litter impact research conducted by the nonprofit Shared Fuel and an update on proposed legislation in Austin that supports bottle recycling for plastics, aluminum, and glass.
Get more information about the Environmental Summit or reserve a space for the April 5 event. Read the story in the East Dallas Times.
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Community Spotlight
 Peace. Love. Lemonade.
On March 11, an earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, stirring up a devastating tsunami that swept over cities and farmland and set off warnings as far away the west coast of the United States and South America. Recorded as 8.9 on the Richter scale, it was the most powerful earthquake ever to hit the country. As the nation struggled with a rescue effort, it also faced the worst nuclear emergency since Chernobyl.
While governments, aid organizations, and citizens around the world are joining forces to offer their support to Japan, the Lakehill family is busy organizing as well.
First grade student Dasha Ramey watched the story in Japan unfold and asked her mom if she could do something to help. After realizing the geographic distance involved, Dasha determined that the most effective way to help was by raising money for an organization already providing direct relief to those in Japan. The best way to raise the money, she decided, was with a lemonade stand. She enlisted help from her younger brother Van Alex, and the team immediately got busy making signs and developing their rally cry.
Dasha set up her lemonade stands on her street, at a soccer game, and at the dog park. Her mom, Holly Lynch, says that after four lemonade stands, she could tell Dasha and her brother were committed to the cause. She helped her daughter by setting up a donation page on Crowdrise to accept online donations. Donations go directly to Save Our Children, an organization providing relief efforts in Sandel, Japan.
Dasha has raised nearly $1300 so far. She and her brother will be back at it this weekend, working hard to reach their goal of raising $2000. "If I had my way," explained Dasha, "I'd have a lemonade stand every weekend!"
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Photo by Anastasia Walton.
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Sports Snippets
Spring Sports Continue
Varsity SoftballOn March 22 the Lady Warriors traveled to Waco to play Waco Vanguard in their first district game of the season. Lakehill won 23-0 in three innings. Sarah Baker pitched a no-hitter as the winning pitcher. Eleni Wilsmann hit two triples, one home run, and had 10 RBIs. The Lady Warriors also defeated Denton Calvary on March 10 at home, winning 9 - 7 in a hard-fought 7 innings. Sarah Baker was the winning pitcher and Eleni Wilsmann hit two doubles. The team's record is now 8-1 overall and 1-0 in district play. Current team leaders are Scout Garnsey with 17 hits and a .586 batting average, Kara Gamboa with 20 stolen bases and 21 assists, Eleni Wilsmann with 9 extra base hits, 17 RBIs and 76 put outs, and Sarah Baker with 5 wins and 1 save. The Lady Warriors host Rockwall Christian today at 4:30pm. Varsity BaseballThe Varsity Baseball team came back strong after the break, defeating Fairhill 17-1 in four innings at home on March 22. Josh Wood struck out 7 of 9 batters in three innings, giving up no hits and no runs. He also went three for three. The team lost their last warm-up game before district against Shelton on March 7 and as well as their first district game against Rockwall Heritage on March 10. The team plays Prince of Peace at home today at 5:00pm. Varsity GolfJoseph Nall won the Sacred Heart Invitational Golf Tournament on March 21 with a score of 67. His score was 10 strokes better than the second place finisher. GO WARRIORS!
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What's Happening?
March 24 and 25
NHS Bake Sale, 7:30 - 7:55am Enjoy delicious treats and help NHS raise money to host a Prom for residents at a local senior citizen home.
March 30 - April 1
Biology Trip to YO Ranch
Box Tops for Education
Due by March 31
Please turn in your box tops to the "Box Tops Box" by the Main Office. If possible, please trim the box tops along the hatched markings prior to dropping them off. Thanks for supporting Lakehill.
April 1
President's Volunteer Service Award
Forms documenting service hours are due to Mrs. Ekstrom for those who would like to receive the President's Volunteer Service Award. All students (K-12) are eligible! Students receiving the award will be presented with a certificate, a lapel pin, and a letter from the President if the United States at the Awards Program in May. Get more information, download the tracking form, or see Mrs. Ekstrom for more details. Don't forget to turn in forms by April 1!
April 1
5th and 6th grade Game Night, 7:00 - 8:30pm
April 5
Environmental Summit at ESC, 8:30 - 10:30am
RSVP here.
Nothing But Nets - Date to be rescheduled
The freshman class is hosting a 3-on-3 tournament to benefit the "Nothing But Nets" Foundation. Teams can sign up for $6. Middle and Upper School students are invited to watch the finals during open period for $5. All proceeds will be donated to the Nothing But Nets Foundation. For more information, see ninth grade class president, Hudson Trent. See related story here.
April 19-21
Scholastic Book Fair, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm each day
Special Hours: Wednesday, April 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, prior to the Lower School Spring Fling.
May 7 - SAVE THE DATE!
Lakehill Dad's Club Presents the First Annual
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament
Player passes for a $150 donation include entry into No Limit Hold 'Em Tournament, food, beer, wine, and soda. Rail passes for $50 include food, beer, wine, soda, and a great time - and the opportunity to cheer on your favorite players. Sidebet Blackjack table and other card games will be held as well. Stay tuned for more information!
June 6 - July 29
Lakehill Summer Camps
Registration is now open! Check out all the great camp offerings and make plans to spend your summer with us!
Visit the Spirit Shop! Visit the Spirit Shop and get ready to show your Warrior spirit!
Wednesday morning, 7:30 - 8:15 am
Thursday afternoon, 2:45 - 3:45 pm
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