A group of Revolutionary War re-enactors came to Fontbonne in full uniform after school Thursday, January 31. They spoke of the role of British soldiers in the colonies during the Revolutionary era, and what they do as re-enactors. Each soldier explained the significance of his or her uniform, demonstrating specific details of their garb, for example, singling out specific details, for example, a match holder.  The soldier dressed in yellow (above, second from right) played the fife and explained the role of the instrument as communication on and off the field. The three soldiers pictured above on the far left also demonstrated the loading of their firearms and how they attached their muskets.   An enthusiastic group of students and adults had many questions for the visitors. Thank you to Ms. Leonard of the Social Studies Department for arranging this unique opportunity.

Scholastic Art Award winners from Fontbonne Academy.  From left: Tianna Szeto, Morgan McKenna, Anne Callahan, Jana Griffis, Yuze Wu, Kim Huntress, and Cindy Truong (not pictured, Katie Sorgman).

Seven Fontbonne Academy art students were recognized at the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Fair last week, including two top Gold Key winners, and one Silver Key winner.  Yuze Wu '15 received a Silver Key in Painting and Jana Griffis '14 and Katie Sorgman '14 received Gold Keys in Painting. These "key" winners will receive their awards at John Hancock Hall in March. These young women will have their art displayed at the Transportation Building in Boston through April 20.

Additionally many students received Honorable Mentions in Painting.  Among them were Anne Callahan '14, Morgan McKenna '14, Tianna Szeto '14 and Kim Huntress '13. Cindy Truong '13 received an Honorable Mention in Sculpture.

Cindy Truong '13 was also recognized with a Silver Key in Creative Writing at the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Fair. Cindy will be awarded the Silver Key at John Hancock Hall in Boston for her Science Fiction story.

"I am so proud of our award winners.  They put their hearts and souls into their efforts and really deserve these awards.  Our Art program is really thriving at Fontbonne," said Art Teacher Ms. Nicole Robertson.

Groups of four prepared chili.  Above from left:  Abigail Walsh '16, Sarah Waterfield '16, Lisa Tran '16.   

The Cooking Club meets every Wednesday afternoon and on February 6 prepared a turkey and white bean chili recipe from Cooking Light magazine in the cafeteria kitchen. There are 40 students in the Cooking Club, and they have made culinary delights ranging from crepes to cookies.  "This is a group of very enthusiastic students," said their moderator, Ms. Waldorf.  "They have a blast while learning to cook."

Laurie Brutus '16 shows off her badge and bag from the Youth Leadership Conference where she met Condoleezza Rice. 

Freshwoman Laurie Brutus, participated in a Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. , in January, which included being an invited guest at the second inauguration of Barack Obama. Two thousand students from all over the world convened in Washington to participate in leadership training and political awareness activities. Prior to the trip, the students were asked to submit questions for guest speaker, Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state under President George W. Bush. Twenty-five students including Laurie, whose questions for Ms. Rice were chosen, had the opportunity to meet with the former secretary of state. Laurie asked Ms. Rice if she saw herself as being Secretary of State when she was in high school.  Her response surprised Laurie.  "She told me that she had planned on playing the piano but realized she was never going to excel to the level she hoped.  After changing her college major twice, she had a political science teacher who encouraged her to be a politician.  She told me to always have a backup plan and to try different things," said Laurie. 

Senior Caitlin Walsh playing the saxophone at the NHS Coffeehouse in January.  She had the pleasure of conducting the Holiday Pops in December. 

Caitlin Walsh is on the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Teen Council, and when the group was asked if anyone wanted to conduct the Holiday Pops show in December, she jumped at it.  Several members threw their names into the ring, and Caitlin was selected.   

She had jitters before the show, which ironically fell on Sunday, December 16, immediately following the Fontbonne Christmas concert.  "I was really nervous, but everyone there really helped me feel at ease," said Caitlin,  "They really wanted me to succeed."  At intermission, Caitlin met with Keith Lockhart, who gave her some brief lessons on what to do while she conducted.  When the time came for her piece, the traditional "Sleigh Ride" song in which the chorus dons Santa hats and rings sleigh bells, Keith handed her the baton, while a gentleman oboe player told  her, "Go get 'em, girl!"  Mr. Lockhart worked the whip in the song while Caitlin conducted.  "It seemed to go by really fast."   

Caitlin had done some conducting through a five-week summer program she completed at Berklee College of Music last year.  She is a talented saxophone player specializing in jazz.  She is in the instrumental ensemble at Fontbonne Academy and will pursue music in her college career. 

Don't Miss "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

March 23, from 6 to 11 p.m. at Lombardo's in Randolph  

Kim McDowell, a federal agent, recently addressed a class at Fontbonne.   

 

On February 14, 2013, it was the 15th anniversary of an organization called V-Day, a group committed to ending violence against women around the world.  As part of Love Your Body Week, a week of fun and exciting events dedicated to building self confidence, awareness, and compassion toward ourselves and others, Sister Maryann organized an event during each lunch period.  V-Day invited one billion women and those who love them to walk out, DANCE, RISE UP, AND DEMAND an end to violence against women.

According to their website,"One Billion Rising is a promise that we will rise up with women and men worldwide to say, "Enough! The violence ends now," states their website, "Being

ONE BILLION RISING IS:

A global strike,
An invitation to dance,
A call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends,
An act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers,
A refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given,
A new time and a new way of being.

To learn more please click here. 

This school year there are 22 legacy students in the freshwoman class, for a total of over 40 legacies.  To qualify as a legacy, a student must have a mother, aunt, grandmother or sister who attended Fontbonne.  "Next year's class will be filled with legacies," stated Director of Admissions Anna Miner, "As a percentage legacies are up by almost 40% from last year."  What does that mean for Fontbonne?  We are proud of our legacies, these are families who are committed to the school, who truly value the education and experience that Fontbonne provides each young woman.  "We are really blessed to have so many legacies," said Head of School Mary Ellen Barnes, "These are the Fontbonne women of today who know and appreciate the Fontbonne heritage."