Buzz on 16th Street Visited
To view a short video about Dr. Tyson’s visit, visit: http://vimeo.com/friendsseminary/tyson.
October 28 (through November 2) December 2
Through the School’s Visiting Scholar Program, Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History and host of PBS’ NOVA scienceNOW, spent four school days from October 28 to November 2 working with biology, physics, and chemistry students. Dr. Tyson delivered classroom lectures, held question-and-answer sessions, joined students for lunch, and worked privately with the science faculty. On November 1, his visit culminated in a two-hour public address on the importance of improving science literacy in the United States. “Even if you aren’t predisposed to science, it’s so easy to listen to and to digest what he’s saying, because he brings it up in such a fun way,” senior Christol Patterson said. “He provides an incredible view of how to see the world and where you fit in its spectrum.” Principal Bo Lauder added, “He must have the opportunity to say these things 200 times a year, but he sounds like he just discovered the universe yesterday.” The School’s annual Visiting Scholar Program was created in 2009 to augment the curriculum by exposing students to scholars and artists who would not normally be accessible to pre-collegiate students. Last year, the school welcomed High-Line architect Charles Renfro as their first Scholar-in-Residence. Renfro worked closely with students on architecture projects throughout the year and accompanied them to several of his current architecture projects around the city.
More than 20 alumni and faculty members helped decorate holiday food bags for men, women, and children with AIDS and other serious illnesses during the God’s Love We Deliver alumni bag decorating workshop in the art studios. The annual event honors late art teachers John Jones and Maureen Mullen who brought this tradition to life at Friends. December 14
Networking Day to teach students about their respective careers in fields. Students attended sessions in broadcast journalism, the music business, and how to make the best impression during an internship. December 17
Members from the classes of 2007 through 2010 returned to Friends for the Young Alumni and Senior Q & A Lunch. Following the luncheon, the alumni shared their postFriends experiences with seniors as they prepare for their upcoming college years. February 23
Friends athletes from the past four decades donned uniforms and played in the annual alumni basketball game in the school gym. Coaches David Lieber and Debbie Ferretti were on hand to cheer on their past players as they relived their hardwood glory days. December 15
Christine Cullen, soprano and classical musician, visited middle and upper schoolers at Friends to prepare them for an upcoming visit to Roméo et Juliette at the Metropolitan Opera. She talked to them about the history of opera, well-known composers such as Mozart, Wagner, Verdi and Puccini, and the importance of language in music. Christine played excerpts from various operas including The Magic Flute and Carmen, and sang “Depuis le Jour” from Charpentier’s Louise.
Alexis Donnelly Glick ’90, Sean Grande ’87, Samantha Liebman ’94, Adam Owett ’75, Matt Pincus ’90, Lida Moore Musso ’86, Eric Obenzinger ’03, and Jorge Ramon ’88 returned to Friends for the annual Alumni-Student
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