MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS

ABBY BURNS STUDIES LATIN AMERICAN SPANISH

World Languages Add Depth

Mount de Sales off ers world language courses in French, Lati n, and Spanish. Starti ng in the eighth grade, students take the fi rst level of one of these languages. They conti nue their studies with the second level as freshmen, then advance each year unti l they sati sfy the graduati on requirements for world language credits, with some students electi ng to complete their studies at the highest level off ered.

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

an opportunity to grow the school's college-level language program. Students are encouraged to take world language beyond the graduati on requirements, and they may take the dual enrollment courses aft er successful completi on of the third high school level of that language, which would occur by the student's junior year. Students who complete these courses will be just three classes shy of achieving a college minor degree in a language. "In this global economy, employers have a strong preference for someone who has a language in their arsenal of skills," according to Kari Alderman, MDS college counselor.

The Upper School introduced six new courses to the world language curriculum this year: two levels each of College French and College Spanish, and two levels each of American Sign Language (ASL). The Academy partners with Wesleyan College to off er Intermediate College French I and II as well as Intermediate College Spanish I and II. MDS instructors are adjunct professors for Wesleyan but teach these classes on the MDS campus. Emily Brown, Upper School principal, explained that adding the dual enrollment courses opens up ASL is taught online through a partnership with the ASL Virtual Academy, which off ers synchronous and asynchronous instructi on. Students learn ASL communicati on skills and American Deaf culture and history. An MDS faculty member oversees daily class and supports the process throughout the course, assisti ng with ti me management, accountability, moti vati on, and ensuring students are on track with assignments and coursework.

Students who complete the fi rst level this year can pursue level two next year.

EXPLORING LANGUAGES IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Middle School expanded its curriculum to include an exploratory electi ve through Rosett a Stonebased world language courses. Sixth and seventh graders select a language, then research the culture of its speakers before learning and practi cing the language. Students' selecti ons may refl ect the curiosity they have about their own family's heritage. Selecti ons include Japanese, German, Lati n American Spanish, and Russian.

Rosett a Stone's courses are robust, and, at the same ti me, are designed for grade-level appropriateness. The courses are tailored to the individual and accessed through the iPad app. Students work at their own pace, developing basic skills in their chosen language and completi ng benchmarks as they work through the content and material. When students encounter diffi culty, the app provides opportuniti es to review parti cular topics and to redo those topics multi ple ti mes. Lati n teacher Jared Gaum facilitates the class. He shared that the Rosett a Stone app provides students with ample opportuniti es to hear nati ve speakers and to, in turn, speak in that language. He said, "They are constantly hearing, reading, and speaking the language, allowing them plenty of good practi ce for bett er learning. As a class, the students also are learning about self-discipline and individual work." Gaum conti nued, "This class, I would say, is a wonderful introducti on to learning another language and simply being able to think diff erently about other languages."

GEORGIA OLSON, CENTER, AS MORTICIA IN THE ADDAMS FAMILY PRODUCTION AT MACON LITTLE THEATRE

Practice What You Teach

The fi ne arts department at Mount de Sales is not only blessed to have quality instructors, but also enthusiasti c teachers who have professional careers in the arts, outside of the classroom. Their involvement in the community aff ects their teaching style, and ulti mately enhances the overall student experience.

ON THE STAGE

If you ask Georgia Olson, she will tell you she is fi rst and foremost a science teacher, and has been for 20 years. Olson also has 40 theater producti ons under her belt and currently serves on the board of Theatre Macon. For the last 12 years she has been involved in every single producti on in some form or fashion, from box offi ce ti cket sales to lighti ng to starring in the main att racti on. Her favorite role was Morti cia in The Addams Family, a producti on of Macon Litt le Theatre. Her husband played the role of Gomez Addams, which was a real treat for the two of them to star in the play together, as husband and wife.

Olson got her start on the stage as an audience member selected to parti cipate in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. "I was on stage, with the lights on my face, and I thought, 'I've always wanted to do this,'" said Olson. Even though most of Olson's acti ng jobs have been non-paying, she has learned so much over the years, perspecti ves she now shares with her students at Mount de Sales, whether they are her theatre or chemistry students. "My biggest advice," she said, "is that you can be the best at acti ng or whatever you are doing, but sti ll not get the part. Rejecti on and failure are real things, and I try to tell my students to learn how to balance vulnerability, humbleness, and confi dence." According to Olson, the arts is a community itself. "We all know each other," she said, "the local photographers, musicians, actors, bands, festi val leaders, etc., and we are all helping to build that community. In order to share your experti se, love, and experiences for the fi ne arts with your students, you have to be a part of that local community. It starts in the schools."

THROUGH THE LENS

Andrew Wheat, art and photography teacher, understands being vulnerable. Receiving negati ve feedback has happened during his years as a photographer —someti mes people do not like your work. The most valuable skill he has acquired in his business is interacti ng with people, directi ng and helping someone feel confi dent in front of the camera.

Aft er graduati ng from Texas Tech with a fi ne arts degree and an emphasis in photography, Wheat had hopes of traveling abroad and documenti ng those experiences. And that he did! As a contract employee, Wheat traveled all over the world taking photographs. His favorite place to photograph was India. Most of Wheat's business is now made up of family portraits and weddings. "Weddings are my favorite because they allow me to do diff erent types of photography all in one day — documentary, portraits, candids, macro," Wheat said. Interesti ngly, his favorite wedding to shoot was a large Indian wedding last year in Atlanta. "The colors," he said, "the culture, are all so interesti ng, bright, and beauti ful."

Wheat is credited with bringing photography back to the Mount. His college class was one of the last groups to focus exclusively on photographic fi lm, so having a dark room at MDS has been a fantasti c way for Wheat to off er students the same experiences he had and further their love of art.

A NOTE TO PLAY

Trevor Goody, director of performing ensembles, has several jobs outside of his MDS teaching duti es, which include directi ng the band and choir. His love for music started early, and he admits he always wanted to be a teacher. Goody played with the Southern Pride marching band as he earned his bachelor's degree in music educati on from Georgia Southern and obtained his master's in wind band conducti ng. As a way to get more involved in the Middle Georgia community, Goody joined the Wellston Winds, a community band out of Warner Robins. They perform four or fi ve concerts a year for the Warner Robins Fine Music Associati on at the Air Force Museum. In additi on, he has been writi ng more, composing and arranging music that he thinks other groups would be able to use. "Music writi ng is fun," he said, "but when someone goes out and buys music that you have created—that shows their appreciati on for your hard work." Recently a co-worker menti oned a need at her church, and at the same ti me the Goodys were looking for a new church home. Call it divine interventi on! Goody is now the traditi onal music director at Liberty Church-Macon. He conducts the choir, brings in guest arti sts, is in charge of all children's music, and occasionally joins in himself, on the saxophone.

Middle School 2021-22 Honors

AMBASSADORS OF THE YEAR:

This award recognizes the male and female students in each grade who are true representatives of Mount de Sales. These students model citizenship and school spirit and are enthusiastic hosts for visitors and guests.

6th Grade: Eli Chapman, Kirra Mitchell; 7th Grade: Aiden Roberson, Shelbie Lewis; 8th Grade: Jackson Rowley, Ava St. Peter

ARDMORE PUBLISHING AWARD

This is a scholarship given through the generosity of alumna and faithful supporter Susan Crawford ('63). The scholarship program seeks to reward student literary talent as exhibited in exceptional knowledge of grammar and mastery of the craft of writing. 8th Grade: Alison Lyons, Louis McMickle

SPELLING BEE

8th Grade: Gabrielle Saiya, school champion (2nd place in state competition); Marie Tan, runner-up

CAVALIERS OF THE YEAR:

Our highest academic award, this recognition goes to the overall top scholar in each grade.

6th Grade: Merrill Long 7th Grade: Madisyn Cabiness 8th Grade: Marie Tan

DAR AWARDS

The Georgia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honors students who exemplify good citizenship and an eighth grader who has an interest and outstanding performance in American History. History—8th Grade: Seylore Mims Citizenship— 6th Grade: Harper Marshall 7th Grade: Feria Moore 8th Grade: Liam Giffin Seylore Mims Kirra Mitchell Madisyn Cabiness

Liam Giffin

Merrill Long

Harper Marshall

Feria Moore Eli Chapman

Shelbie Lewis

Alison Lyons

Louis McMickle

Aiden Roberson