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January 2013 |
January News Winter Solstice, Art, and Cultural Exchange |
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Eunice H's SKS cookies
(photo courtesy of T Scherrer)
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The beginning of winter trimester provided many opportunities for merrymaking on campus, celebrating in the community, and holiday time with families and friends. Now students are back, fully engaged in classes, winter sports, and extracurricular activities.
The Admissions Team cordially invites prospective students and their families to attend an Open House. Open Houses begin in Orr Commons in the center of campus (follow signs) at 10:00 AM promptly. After brief welcoming remarks, you will tour our beautiful campus and receive a description of our programs. You will see a short video and participate in a discussion about the application process. Closing remarks will take place about 12:00. Please call 845-534-9860 to request more information or leave your name and telephone number to register.
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SKS Celebrates Winter Solstice |
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Cultural Traditions from Around the World
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Decorating the tree in Orr Commons
(photo courtesy of J Carruthers)
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Recognizing the winter solstice as a time for celebrations in many cultures, SKS celebrated Holiday Vespers in the Walter Reade, Jr., Theater on December 19. Head of School Paul Domingue led the service by first describing how desolate winter was for primitive agrarian societies, with its progressively shorter hours of sunlight and colder temperatures. How relieved and thrilled observers must have been after the shortest day of the year had passed, and each day exhibited more minutes of sunlight, bringing hope for a new spring!
Students and faculty from SKS's many diverse cultures then proceeded to describe traditional solstice celebrations around the world, sometimes by explaining traditional beliefs and sometimes by way of musical selections. Elements of peace, spring, and greenery permeated the solstice themes.
The Vespers Service was followed by a gala dinner in Orr Commons, where SKS's own Chef Moises and his staff provided favorite foods from around the world.
Winter holiday traditions were celebrated at SKS in other ways as well. Students selected a tree from a Christmas tree farm, chopped it down (supervised by History Chair Jonathan Meisel), erected it in Orr Commons, and decorated it with ornaments that were crafted by SKS art students. Several teachers invited students to their homes for cookie making and tree decorating. Weekend trips to New York City allowed students to tour store windows that were dressed in holiday finery, as well as to view the Christmas tree and ice skaters at Rockefeller Center.
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Cutting out cookies
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(photo courtesy of Linglin Z)
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Tree trimming at the Heno's home
(photo courtesy of H Heno)
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Students Spread Holiday Cheer in Local Community |
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Holiday Event Provides Fun and Funding for Families' Needs
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Bells on Broadway
(photo courtesy of E Boronkay)
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On Dec. 1, 2012, several SKS students and teachers volunteered at Newburgh's Safe Harbor's Community Outreach Center, Bells on Broadway. The event was a Christmas fair featuring local craftsmen and a fundraiser for Safe Harbor's Outreach Agency. SKS students' help in welcoming local children and involving them in the program was greatly appreciated. SKS history chair Jonathan Meisel donned a Santa suit and distributed gifts and math teacher Scott Simontacchi dressed as Frosty the Snowman to help Santa. Community service coordinator Emily Boronkay also joined the group. Participating students included Chi N, Jelani S, Brett N, Won Suk L, Justin L, and Jakub K.
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National Honor Society Inducts New Members |
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Students Recognized for Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character
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NHS Induction Ceremony (photo courtesy of T Scherrer)
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Six SKS students were recently inducted into the National Honor Society: Jamie Z, Zhou L, Chandler Z, Dominque D, Ilyas O, and Eunice H. These students, well-known throughout campus for their friendly attitudes and widespread participation in a variety of venues, became eligible for consideration due to their Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Induction not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service. Lily S '13 and faculty advisor Jim Uhlig presided over the candlelight ceremony, which was vary well received by the whole school community.
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AP Economics Class Trip to the Federal Reserve Bank |
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Students Meet with Wall Street Wizards
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Wall Street veteran shows students around Wall Street
(photo courtesy of T Ferencevych)
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CEO instructs AP economics students
(photo courtesy of T Ferencevych)
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On Wednesday, December 5, 2012, the Advanced Placement Economics class went to New York City and visited the Wall Street risk management firm Investor Analytics. Company CEO Damian Handzy intrigued the students with a presentation about the limitations of mathematical models used to predict the movement of financial assets.
Afterwards the class toured the New York Federal Reserve Bank, highlighted by a visit to the gold vault 80 feet below street level. Being in the presence of $360,000,000,000 in gold made a striking impression on the students. The trip reinforced some of the lessons students had recently learned in class.
After the tour the group was met by Storm King School trustee and former parent Hilary Ackerman. Ms. Ackerman, a veteran of Wall Street, showed the students some of the historical landmarks in the financial district and then treated them to a delicious lunch at one of her old haunts. The students had a terrific opportunity to speak with Ms. Ackerman about her time at Goldman Sachs, and all of them were surprised to learn she was a Russian major in college. This was the second annual economics class trip to the NY Federal Reserve Bank.
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SKS Inspires Artists
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Art Programs Cultivate Skills
 | | Bonnie J paints still life (photo courtesy of A Penecale) |
SKS is well-known for its fabulous arts programs. All SKS student take at least one visual arts class and one performing arts class. Many become "hooked" and continue on in upper-level courses. Some of the visual arts classes that are offered include Introduction to Art, Advanced Drawing and Painting, Photography I and II, Digital Arts, Art History, and Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art. Students in the AP class build their portfolios, which they can submit with their applications to art schools. Students sometimes have particular areas of interest, such as jewelry design, fashion, or architecture. Classes at SKS are designed so that students can often gear projects toward their areas of special interest.
Whether a student is a dabbler or aiming for a career in art, SKS art is an enriching experience.
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Hockney style art by Emily B
(photo by A Penecale)
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 | | Architectural drawing (photo courtesy of J Carruthers) |
 | | Group art project (photo courtesy J Carruthers) |
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Music and Movement Classes Show Off Skills |
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A Program of Instrument and Dance
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Dance recital
(photo courtesy of T Scherrer)
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Students taking instrumental music and dance classes had been longing to show the rest of the school community what they had learned and finally got their chance during their recital the evening of December 13. The program began with Mr. Martin Smith's piano and clarinet students setting a classical mood with a variety of traditional works.
Then dance teacher Jeanette Perk's students let loose, beginning with a group rendition danced to the song "Storm King" by Dar Williams. There followed thirteen more lively numbers, some solos and some group pieces, some lovely, and some toe-tappers. "Technologic," the culminating piece by eight members of the class was rhythmic and mesmerizing.
The audience of classmates, faculty, and family members responded enthusiastically. Ms. Perk is known to demand hard work from her students, but her positive energy makes them want to give all they are able to give. It was fun to see the result of many hours of dedicated practice.
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SKS Alum Makes AMDA History |
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Alexa Huppe '12 Choreographs Demo Performance
Alexa Huppe, SKS Class of 2012, received an exciting challenge from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York when she was invited to choreograph the semester's final demo performance. Alexa will be the first second semester student to be given this honor. The performance will be shown to the entire faculty and the first through third semester students. Chosen because of her "unique vision," Alexa has six dancers to cast, and it will be a modern piece with a dramatic story line performed in the academy's private dance theater.
Asked to elaborate on her story line, Alexa described:
I decided to begin conceptually based on the idea of wanting something that isn't really there. As I progressed, the story told itself, and I was able to create something I never expected. The story is still true to its concept, however, the characters display victims in an insane asylum trying to communicate to what isn't in front of them. What I love about it is that it's real to them, even if it isn't to us as audience members. This makes the audience a part of their world of terror and desperation.
Alexa was well-liked and displayed a diversity of talents while attending SKS in grades 9 through 12. Looking back now, she said,
The biggest thing I took from my Storm King experience was learning to listen to my own voice.... Storm King taught me to grow in a way that meant to be courageous, unique, and bold. Some of my biggest heroes were at Storm King, and that is something I'll never forget, no matter how far I go.
More of Alexa's interview will appear in the winter/spring 2013 issue of SKS's alumni publication On the Mountain, coming in March.
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The Voice presents...The Winter Words & Pictures Contest |
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Winter Inspires Creative Expression
 | | (photo courtesy of A Matriss) |
Students are sharpening their pencils and polishing their camera lenses for SKS's creative arts and literary publication's winter contests. Students can submit either written or visual work in a variety of categories. Photography modes may include portrait, landscape, abstract, technology, and the digital age.
Writing genres (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction) must address the theme, "The progress of technology can offer distinct advantages and unavoidable downfalls."
Submissions and winners will be published in future issues of The Voice. To view past issues of The Voice, click here to go to the publications page on the SKS website.
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| SOOWOL School Students Visit SKS |
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Cultural Exchange Enriches Visitors and Guests
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SOOWOL students pose at Top of the Rock (photo courtesy of Surl Ye Son)
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Storm King students returning from their winter break have been joined by fifteen 7th and 8th graders from the SOOWOL Middle School of South Korea. The purpose of the month-long visit is to provide the enthusiastic middle schoolers with a taste of life in the U.S. The youngsters have been spending part of their time shadowing SKS students in class and after-school activities and part of their time off-campus on other adventures. Each Korean visitor has been paired with a U.S. student who has acted as host during their time on campus. The group traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit the Smithsonian, various memorials, and other attractions, and they spent three days in New York City where highlights included visits to the Natural History Museum, the Top of the Rock, and the new World Trade Center. They also viewed Broadway favorites Stomp and Spiderman. The SOWOL students and their chaperones are rooming at the Black Rock Forest Lodge, adjacent to SKS's campus, and they have experienced three days of ecology lessons in the forest. The SOOWOL group is being chaperoned by their Vice Principal, Mr. Moonsoo Han, teacher Ms. "Jenny" Jihye Park, and agency representative, Ms. "Elly" Surl Ye Son. To introduce their school to the SKS community, school president Hyun "Gray" Min Ki, an eight grader, presented a student-made school video in the Walter Reade, Jr., Theater. The SOOWOL group then treated the SKS community to their own rendition of South Korean rapper PSY's "Gangnam Style," triggering eruptions of laughter and pats on the back from appreciative SKS students and faculty. |
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Open House Saturday, January 26th |
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Tour, Video, & Discussion with Students & Faculty
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The Admissions Team
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The Admissions Team cordially invites you to attend an Open House for prospective students and their families. The Open House will begin in Orr Commons at the center of The Storm King School campus.
This Open House will provide an opportunity to tour our beautiful campus. After the tour, you will see a short video about the School and participate in a discussion about the application process.
Open House Schedule:
10:00 Tour of Campus
11:15 SKS Video
11:30 Overview of Application Process and General Question
and Answer Session
12:00 Conclusion
Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
314 Mountain Road
Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520
845-534-9860
admissions@sks.org
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| For Your Calendar
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Upcoming Open Houses
Monday, February 18th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday, March 30th, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Saturday, April 13th, 10:00 AM -12:00 Noon
Open Houses generally start in Orr Commons in the center of The Storm King School campus. We will begin with a tour of the campus after brief welcoming remarks. You will learn about the School and its programs. After the tour, you will see a short video about the School and participate in a discussion about the application process. Participants at our Monday Open House will be invited to lunch in our dining hall.
It is helpful if you call (845-534-9860) to register in advance.
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| Check Out Our School Video
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Inside America Visits The Storm King School
Click here to view our school video.
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See you soon!
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| SKS students and faculty gather on top of Storm King Mountain. Photo courtesy of Taras Ferencevych. |
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| | Founded in 1867, The Storm King School celebrates a long tradition of helping students translate potential into success as they prepare for college and meaningful lives. Through academic classes, outstanding fine and performing arts, competitive and club sports, and interesting extracurricular activities, the faculty and staff offer students in grades 8-12 opportunities to enrich themselves through learning and confidence building. For college-bound students with learning differences, a small (22 students) program called The Mountain Center, offers specialized, differentiated instruction in up to four core classes. Mountain Center students are full participants in the SKS community. In addition, The Learning Center offers support to any SKS student who needs extra help with study and organizational skills. Boarding and day options are available.
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Contact Information
To visit us on the web, click here.
Click here to see our new school video.
Email: admissions@sks.org
Phone: 800-225-9144 (in the U.S.) or 845-534-9860
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