| Snapshot from the Ridge | |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
Students in the Middle School musical rehearse a song and dance number.
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| Bulletin Board | |
Next Academic League Match on March 7th
On March 7th, Pacific Ridge's Academic League teams will match wits with San Dieguito Academy for the second league contest of the year. In a fun, game show-style format, competitors answer questions covering a variety of academic subjects. Come out to support our undefeated Firebirds!
Date: Thursday, March 7th
Time: 6:30 p.m
Location: Middle School Commons
 Language Enrichment Opportunity!
In June, Pacific Ridge School will offer a two-week language academy that draws upon Middlebury College's famed expertise in immersion language instruction. From June 16th-29th, local area students entering grades 5 to 8 can enroll in a two-week intensive language program in Spanish, French or Mandarin Chinese. Introductory and intermediate levels of instruction will be offered . Share the news with your friends and neighbors! For more information and to register, contact Middlebury Interactive Languages directly by clicking here.
Subscribe to Global Vantage and Experience the World
Issue 6 of the award-winning Global Vantage magazine will be available this spring. Part of the Global Journal Project, Global Vantage is managed and edited by students at Pacific Ridge School, Torrey Pines High School and the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy in Kenya. The magazine showcases engaging stories, articles and photographs from contributors worldwide. To subscribe, please click here. Donations and sponsorships are also welcome. If you choose to donate, please specify at checkout that your donation is for Global Vantage.
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| New & Noteworthy | |
A Banner Year for Pacific Ridge Robotics Teams
After six months of working on their robots and competing in three qualifying tournaments, both of Pacific Ridge's FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Upper School Robotics teams qualified for the San Diego regional championships held at Madison High School in San Diego on February 24th. Six initial rounds of competition found team 4373 ranked 4th out of 36 teams and team 4262 ranked 12th. The two teams then formed an alliance partnership to participate in the semifinal round. The combined Pacific Ridge team lost to the tournament's eventual winner, but our students were proud to excel at such a high level of competition, and are eagerly planning for next season.
On February 16th, Pacific Ridge's Middle School Robotics team participated in the FIRST LEGO League Cup at Legoland. The intrepid group competed in a huge field of 62 teams, and placed 22nd overall. Congratulations to both our Upper School and Middle School Robotics Club participants on a season full of accomplishments! Robotics teams 4373 and 4262 celebrate.
Middle School Robotics team at Legoland.
Annika Gullahorn '13 Shakespeare Finalist
Congratulations to senior Annika Gullahorn, who advanced to the final round of the 28th annual San Diego Shakespeare Competition at the La Jolla Playhouse on February 24th. Annika was selected as one of five finalists after a day of competition against 25 winners from local schools. According to Ms. Trattner, who attended the competition, "Annika performed her monologue, sonnet and a cold reading with the consummate poise and ability to which we have grown accustomed when she takes the stage. Bravo, Annika!"
Annika Gullahorn and Ms. Trattner
Interested in Hiring a Summer Intern?
Last summer, Pacific Ridge School provided summer internships to several alumni, who worked in College Counseling, Development and IT. They did a tremendous job! If you or your company are interested in hiring a Pacific Ridge School graduate for an internship or any kind of summer job, please contact Emma Balina, Manager of Alumni Relations, at 760-448-9883, or ebalina@pacificridge.org. The Alumni office would like to provide a database of opportunities for our graduates to gain summer employment or experience. Ms. Balina will be happy to discuss the details of the program with you.
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| Curricular Adventures | |
A Way With Words: 9th Grade Orations Persuade, Impress
On Wednesday, February 27th, Pacific Ridge students, faculty and staff were treated to a series of articulate, persuasive orations at Community Life. The eight speakers were winners of a preliminary round of speeches made by every member of the Class of 2016. Ninth graders prepared topics of their own choosing and spent five weeks writing, peer editing, revising and practicing their presentations. Students also reviewed essays, opinion pieces and TED talks to help them craft convincing and powerfully spoken arguments. The finalists were assessed by a panel of judges including upperclassmen and adult members of the Pacific Ridge community. Congratulations to all orations participants and to the following winners and finalists:
1st Place: Alex Gorman, Humor Has the Power to Heal
2nd Place: Spencer Wollan, Spread the Word to End the Word
3rd Place: Catherine Ames, The Arts in School and Society
Finalists:
Mina Fardeen, Motivational Shift
Josh Kahn, Benefits of Lying
Tanner Muirhead, Gun Laws
Adam Poole, Vacations
Claire St. Marie, What is Feminism?
MathCounts Team + Competition = Success
Pacific Ridge's Middle School MathCounts team had an impressive outing at UCSD on Saturday, February 23rd. MathCounts is a national enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging "bee"-style contests. Six Pacific Ridge students participated in the San Diego Chapter competition and the team placed 4th out of a field of 23 schools. The top four finish earns them a spot in the state finals next month in Irvine. Congratulations to Max Dawson, Noah Kuo, Elliot Lehrer, Derek Ning, Christopher Ong and Avery Rogers for a terrific performance. Special congratulations go to Max, who came in first place as an individual contestant, and will therefore compete both as an individual and a team member at the state contest. Dr. Wright was also awarded a first place prize for coaching. Quite a team success!
MathCounts participants show off their hardware.
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| Service Learning in the Field | |
Tai Eubank '15 Makes a Difference in Mexico
Sophomore Tai Eubank has been volunteering for PEACE Mexico, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living in impoverished areas near Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. Tai has volunteered for over 2 years in a PEACE Mexico-supported classroom in the fishing village of Punta de Mita. Last month, Tai collected school supplies and games, which he delivered to children at the school during the mid-Winter vacation. The students only speak Spanish, so Tai has been inspired to work hard in his Pacific Ridge Spanish classes in order to enhance his volunteer efforts. His work supports PEACE Mexico's guiding principles of protecting youth, women, animals, culture and the environment while instilling individual and community responsibility.
Teaching chess and other board games in Punta de Mita, Mexico.
Burgers With Jam? Haven Night Fundraiser on March 8th
The Haven Night Shelter Service Learning group will be hosting a fundraiser at Elevation Burger in Bressi Ranch on Friday, March 8th, starting at 5:30 p.m. Sage Sanders '14 and Matthew Peterschmidt '14 will be jamming with their band, Revival Sounds, while attendees enjoy Elevation Burger's mouth-watering fare. The restaurant will donate 15% of all sales if customers present a Haven Night flyer (available at the event). Haven Night Shelter is raising money to support the homeless in Cape Town, South Africa. Come enjoy a burger and some great entertainment!
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| Parents Association News | |
Parent Walking Group on March 1st and March 15th
Dates: Friday, March 1st and March 15th
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Place: Peet's Coffee, Bressi Ranch
Parent Association General Meeting and Evening with Dr. Mullady and Dr. Ogle
Date: Wednesday, March 13th
Time: 6:00 social, 6:30 general meeting and talks by Dr. Mullady and Dr. Ogle
Place: East Reading Room
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| Sports on the Ridge | |
Winter Teams Make Their Mark in the Playoffs
All four Pacific Ridge varsity sports teams earned spots in the CIF playoffs. Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer and Girls Soccer entered the playoff tournament last week, amid winter weather that complicated game schedules all around the county. Boys Basketball played with determination, but succumbed to a tough Vincent Memorial team in the first round of play on February 21st. After winning the initial playoff round against San Diego Academy, Girls Basketball lost in the quarterfinals to Vincent Memorial on February 23rd. Girls Soccer scored a quarterfinal win over The Rock Academy on February 23rd, moving on to an exciting semifinal match which the team narrowly lost to Horizon Christian on February 26th. Boys Soccer won its quarterfinal match against Christian on February 23rd, and defeated San Diego Jewish Academy in the semifinals on February 27th. On Saturday, March 2nd, the team will defend its Division 5 Championship title against challenger Calvin Christian. Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Mesa College. Come out and support our Firebirds!!
Reminder: Winter Sports Celebration on March 11th
Families of Upper School winter sports athletes are invited to the end-of-season Sports Celebration on Monday, March 11th. The event will feature a slide show, awards ceremony and breakout sessions for individual team awards and dessert. Dinner will not be served.
Date: Monday, March 11th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Upper School Building
Luke Lango '13 Scores 1,000 Points for Varsity Basketball
Senior Luke Lango scored his 1,000th point during the Firebirds Boys Varsity Basketball team's last home game on February 15th. Lango has been an impact player for the Firebirds since the program's inception in 2010-11. Given that he has played for Pacific Ridge for only three seasons, the 1,000 point achievement is all the more remarkable. Luke plans to continue his basketball career and high scoring campaign in college. Congratulations, Luke!
Scores:
Boys Varsity Basketball
2/21/13 Vincent Memorial (CIF playoffs) 51 60 L
Girls Varsity Basketball
2/19/13 San Diego Academy (CIF playoffs) 58 32 W
2/23/13 Vincent Memorial (CIF quarterfinals) 28 41 L
Boys Varsity Soccer
2/23/13 Christian (CIF quarterfinals) 3 1 W
2/27/13 San Diego Jewish Academy (CIF semifinals) 4 1 W
Girls Varsity Soccer
2/23/13 The Rock Academy (CIF quarterfinals) 5 0 W
2/26/13 Horizon Christian (CIF semifinals) 0 1 L
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| Beyond the Ridge | |
Out-of-State College Night on March 7th
Families of students in grades 9 to 11 are encouraged to attend this College Counseling-sponsored event on March 7th. Representatives from approximately 30 public and private colleges outside of California will share information about their schools. Students and their families will have an opportunity to visit individually with each representative to learn more. Information will also be presented on WUE (Western University Exchange), a regional tuition-reciprocity program which can reduce tuition for students attending college outside of California.
Date: Thursday, March 7th
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Place: Upper School
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| Class Notes | |
Alex Ryan '13 has been named a Presidential Scholars Candidate, an honor bestowed upon less than 1% of high school seniors deemed eligible to apply. The program is administered by the White House Commission of Presidential Scholars and the U.S. Department of Education, and provides recognition and leadership development opportunities for some of America's most outstanding high school seniors.
 Dillon Lerach '13 has been named a Finalist for the Nestle Very Best in Youth program, which acknowledges teens whose efforts are making a profound difference in the lives of others. Dillon also received commendation as a Silver Key and Honorable Mention recipient in journalism from the Scholastic Writing Awards, and as an AXA Community Scholarship Program Finalist.
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In a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement, Pacific Ridge School prepares students for college and a purposeful life.
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Schedule of Events
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March 1st
Parent Walking Group Bressi Peet's Coffee
8 a.m.
March 7th
Out-of-State College Night
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Academic League Competition
6:30 p.m.
March 11th
Winter Sports Team Celebration
7-9 p.m.
March 13th
Parents Association General Meeting
6 p.m. social,
6:30 p.m. meeting and talks
March 15th
Parent Walking Group
Bressi Peet's Coffee
8 a.m.
March 22nd
Middle School & Upper School Social Events
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A View From The Ridge
