June 2013 newsletter

Marymount

June

News from Marymount International School Rome

M O N T H L Y

Congratulations Class of 2013!

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eaching the end of the school year is always a satisfying experience. All of us – students, parents, faculty, and staff – feel a sense of accomplishment for all that we have done this year to learn and grow as individuals and as a community. Think back to September and the excitement and perhaps apprehension that we may have felt in starting a new school year, and then look back on all that we have achieved since then.

Our youngest students in EC1 found themselves in a new place with new faces and in some cases a new language, but in a short time they came to feel at home at Marymount and embarked on what we hope will become a lifelong love of

learning. Meanwhile, our graduating Seniors reached the summit of a Marymount education this year having navigated a rigorous curriculum, a diverse array of Continued on Page 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Walk with the Animals / 3

Greetings from Cortona / 6

Marymount History Bowl / 8 Soccer Champs / 12

Above: Members of the Class of 2013 gather for a photo following the commencement ceremony on June 1. Full story on page 15.

Romeo & Juliet / 11

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Running for Zambia

With an enthusiastic crowd of Elementary School students and teachers cheering them on, students in EC2 raced around the Villa last month to do their part for Zambia fundraising.

Wearing hand-colored numbers and Zambia flags and carrying colorful paper torches, the students gathered behind the Villa and sang a few songs to the crowd before taking their places at the starting line. What was supposed to be a walk turned quickly into a run as the students set off for several laps around the Villa.

The event raised €750. Well done!

Clockwise from top: EC2 students set off from the starting line for their “walk” around the Villa. A crowd of Elementary School students and teachers cheered them on. The students carried colorful torches that they had made for the occasion.

From

the

Headmistress

P. ZINZI

extracurricular and community service activities, and, of course, the much anticipated IB exams. We are so proud of all of them for their many accomplishments and wish them only the best as they move on to new horizons throughout the world. They leave us as Marymount students but will always be with us as Marymount alumni.

Head of School Maria Castelluccio embraces her son, Michael, after handing him his diploma at Marymount’s commencement ceremony on June 1.

In between these two ends of the spectrum we saw a great deal of learning throughout every grade thanks in large measure to Marymount’s truly exceptional faculty members, who continue to educate and inspire our students in the most effective and creative ways.

Our students also achieved a number of milestones this year, including the Sacraments of

Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation, great success at academic competitions and the Model United Nations, even more success on the soccer field as record setting European champions, and in impressive and inspiring theatrical productions (including an original student work) and musical performances.

Of course, where would our school be without our very active and dedicated parent community? I don’t just mean the superbly organized, enthusiastic, and generous members of the PTO, but all of our parents who play such a large role in ensuring that their children continue to experience the joy of learning even after they pass through the school’s gates at the end of the day.

(Cont. from Page 1)

We have also made great strides this year on an institutional level, not only in keeping in step with technology and 21st century learning standards but also in identifying the steps we need to take to move Marymount to an even higher level of excellence.

When I started this year as the new head of school, I could see that the road ahead presented both challenges and opportunities. It has been my privilege to work with all of you to meet these challenges and seize these opportunities, and I look forward to the year ahead as together we accomplish even more for Marymount.

Ms. Maria Castelluccio Head of School

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Students visit a farm on the shores of Lake Martignano

Walk with the Animals n May 15, Kindergarten Blue and Green had a wonderful day visiting Casale di Martignano, an agriturismo situated on the shores of Lake Martignano. They began their visit with a lesson in how cheese is made, and they had great fun making ricotta cheese from sheep’s milk with their own hands. They enjoyed eating their cheese when they got home even more.

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Following this lesson, the students took a walk around the farm to see the animals that live there. The children saw lots of pigs, including some very big ones as well a group of little piglets that were protected by their mother.

Kindergarten also got to meet goats and hens. After all this excitement, the children enjoyed a picnic and a chance to relax and play by the lake.

Clockwise from top left: Kindergarten students enjoy a day at Lake Martignano. A farmer stirs a pot of sheep’s milk as he explains how cheese is made. The students try their hands at making cheese. During their outing, the children encountered pigs, goats, and hens.

Grade 4 explores

Ancient HIstory

This year’s Fourth Graders enjoyed their history classes and the research they conducted on various topics. Near right: Gloria M. is standing near a reproduction of the Palace of Knossos in Crete, with its red columns and frescoed walls. Far right, top: Beatrice M. and other students learned a good deal about the silk route. Far right, bottom: Valerio B. and Gabriele B. learned and presented to their class another aspect of the civilization in Crete: bull jousting, where three young people jumped and somersaulted over a bull.

– Ms. Renata Cardin Elementary School Italian

PHOTOS: R. CARDIN

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Grade 3 helps to mark International Family Day

In Celebration of

he Third Grade celebrated International Family Day at a Whole School Meeting on May 24. As proclaimed by the United Nations, the day reflects the importance of the international community and its attachment to the family. It is a well-known fact that children who spend time with their families have stronger bonds with their parents and siblings.

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The Third Grade was fortunate to present speakers who shared with the Elementary School ways in which we can strengthen our family bonds.

They included Mr. Raymond Montgomery, a diplomat at the American Embassy and a Marymount Parent; Mrs. Lene Gianni, president of the Marymount Parent-Teacher Organization and mother of three Marymount students; and Sr. Michaeline O’Dwyer, principal of the Elementary School.

The Third Grade students also created posters featuring their families and favorite activities.

Additionally, they surveyed the Elementary School to find out how the children liked to spend time with their families. Last, but not least, the students researched their family roots and created family tress to show where they come from.

We all learned many things about our families and how important they are to us!

The Family Above left: Mr. Raymond Montgomery of the U.S. Embassy spoke during the Elementary Whole School Meeting on May 24 about how we stay connected as families in a global world. Above right: Students in 3Z share the posters they made illustrating their family trees. hird grade students put on a

TWhole School Meeting about

International Family Day. All three classes did a different project about Family Day. 3S presented posters about their families and favorite activities.

3L did a survey about the Elementary School’s favorite activities with their families.

Finally 3Z did a family tree to research their family ancestors.

The meeting included many guest speakers as well as Sr. Michaeline, who talked about the RSHM extended family. Third grade had a beautiful day!

– Marco Valerio M., 3Z hree speakers introduced

Twhat International Family Day

is and then 3S showed their

posters. After a short video, Elisa from 3L introduced her dad, Mr. Montgomery. He made a speech about family and about how we should always love our family. I was so happy when it was finally my turn to speak. I got up and spoke about where a family tree comes from. I was very nervous but I did it! I felt happy because I had just spoken in front of a lot of people. It was a very fun Whole School Meeting!

– Simon Y., 3Z n May 24, the Third Grade

Opresented a Whole School

Meeting about the International Day of Families. All the Third Graders spent a lot of time

practicing for the meeting and worked very hard on their posters. Every student had the opportunity to speak, which made it fair for everyone. For example, I read a paragraph that described what a family tree is and my friend Sara described her family tree while showing it to the audience.

– Giulia M., 3Z was so excited for this big day,

Iseeing that I was chosen as

one of the three speakers to introduce the three wonderful speakers who shared how we can strengthen our family bonds as an international community, a Marymount community, and a religious community.

– Toby K., 3Z

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Grade 5 students use math to compare the world’s tallest buildings

Scaling the

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oday our Math class shared our project with Grade 3S. In this project we had to research the ten tallest buildings in the world and then calculate a plausible scale to draw each building accordingly.

I found it quite challenging because I used very small squared paper. It really seemed like I was an architect working on this project.

– Lorenzo G., 5T

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hird Graders asked so many questions, mostly about scale and how we managed to work out the height to fit the poster. I was actually paired with Mariam and one Third Grader. When Mariam had to share her project, even though I had already listened to her in class, it was a pleasure listening to it again.

– Eleonora L., 5D

ifth Grade math students taught Third Graders about our scale drawing project. I really felt like a teacher but had to be careful to use language they understood. I liked making this project and feeling like an architect. Drawing, measuring, and finding all the information was great fun and will be very useful if one day I become an architect!

– Ilaria I., 5D

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hen I was talking to a Third Grader, I felt very proud of myself and could really see that he was listening and enjoyed learning about my project.

This made me feel very happy and satisfied.

– Claudio C., 5T

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oday Grade 5 shared their math project, “The

Ten Tallest Buildings,” with Grade 3. I learned so many exciting facts. I learned that many of the tallest buildings are in the Middle East, and one building is not even finished. The Fifth Graders did a wonderful job presenting their posters.

Each one was unique and full of information.

– Rosa E., 3S

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t was interesting that the tallest building in the world was not in China or the US but in Dubai. There was one boy, Nico, who really impressed me because he not only measured the height but also the width of the buildings. To me that was very impressive. I hope that I can do this project when I am in fifth grade.

– Ignacio R.B., 3S

Left: Lorenzo (right) and Mariam (left) discuss their projects with Grade 3 students. Top: A detail of Lorenzo’s project showing the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower (601m) on the left and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (currently the tallest building at 829.8m) on the right. Above: Cosimo shows his project to Third Graders.

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Friendships and independence grow during the annual Fifth Grade trip to Tuscany

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Greetings from beautifu

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he Fifth Grade classes took their annual trip to Cortona last month, a tradition that serves as a wonderful bonding opportunity for the students during their final weeks in the Elementary School. In Cortona, they explored the medieval town, visited a local sculptor, and learned about the culture and history of the area. They also took in the delights of the Tuscan countryside, visited Lake Trasimeno, and explored Isola Maggiore. The students had a great time, as is evident from the comments below.

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he first day I was so excited.

I couldn’t believe it. I waited for more than a month for this trip. I was really happy because I could sleep with my friends in Cortona and because it would be a good experience. We arrived very active on the morning of the departure. I saw my mother saying goodbye from the park of the school.

– Giovanni T., 5T

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he second day we visited a sculptor called Andrea Roggi. He explained to us how to make sculptures with clay.

Everyone had the opportunity to create whatever they wanted with the clay. After lunch we went to the convent and we did flag throwing like the medieval people did.

– Carlotta P., 5T

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n the Cortona trip I learned many lessons but especially independence, friendship, and understanding more about others. Each morning we had to make our own beds, and we talked to each other. Now I have more friends!

– Sigrid S., 5D

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y biggest challenge was to live four days without technology and my parents. I will never forget this wonderful trip!

– Andy W., 5D

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hat I learnt in Cortona was that you can stay away from technology and your parents. For a couple of days you may want to talk to them but you can survive! When I say without technology, I mean nothing at all. All computers, phones, iPods, and Gameboys were left at home. This was our challenge. It was much easier than I thought because none of

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my friends had anything either.

– Gianluca M., 5D

ortona time has come and gone. This amazing four-day trip was to make all of us in Fifth Grade closer in spirit. The excitement I had beforehand was more than when Christmas is near. I could already imagine the spellbinding, twisting alleys and the enchanting, unspoiled landscape.

– Cosimo A., 5D

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ortona was a beautiful experience. I had never stayed away for so many days from my mother and little sister,

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PHOTOS: H. DAVICO & G. TYRRELL

but thanks to the teachers and my friends who made me feel like I was in a new family, I didn't feel homesick.

– Ilaria I., 5D

hope this marvelous trip will remain stamped on our minds forever. I think we have grown up and have become more independent. We got to know each other better and established a strong relationship with our wonderful teachers. The cycle of elementary school is nearly finished and we will be going to middle school now.

– Lorenzo G., 5T

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After school activities provided opportunities for learning and fun

After School Wrap-Up

Students enjoyed participating in a variety of the activities offered after school this year, including (l-r) karate, arts and crafts, and volleyball. Planning is currently underway for next year with a number of new options under consideration.

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s our 2012-2013 school year comes to an end, so does the season of Early Childhood and Elementary School after school activities. It has been a great year for after school activities at MMI, and our clubs have provided the opportunity for our students to develop their athletic, artistic, and interpersonal skills.

Soccer, karate and homework club once again proved to be our most popular clubs. The soccer team participated in the Friendship Premier Soccer League (a sports competition organized for international schools in Rome) and won the championship with flying colors for the under 9’s (see article on page 13)! It is our hope that next year we will be able to create an all-girls soccer team.

Our karate club had a great mix of new students as well as children who have been participating for many years,

creating a dynamic group of boys and girls from all grade levels. Our Homework Club students had two teachers available to help them with their work; one teacher worked in groups with younger students from First and Second Grades, while the other worked with Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders.

In Junior Royals, participants continued to improve their basketball and volleyball skills.

Yoga provided a setting for children to relax and decompress after a day of learning, while capoeira and fencing were very effective in improving self-confidence and coordination. Our modern dance, creative movement, and capoeira activities allowed EC and Elementary students to express themselves, develop their motor skills, and learn new dance routines.

Kindergarteners and First Graders in our Spanish club

were introduced to the Spanish language through fun games and activities. Many children joined our new arts & crafts and ceramics clubs, through which they learned a variety of new techniques and built up quite a collection of creations!

Marymount’s after school activities have created a variety of settings for our students to develop skills, discover new passions, interact with students from different grade levels and make new friendships outside of the classroom.

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s we move forward with planning for the 20132014 year, we hope to continue to develop our after school activity program further with an exciting new range of activities. In particular, we will focus on developing activities for our younger EC2 and K students, introducing more language-based activities, and continuing to develop our sports program. We also intend

to work together with other international schools in Rome to organize sports events so that our young athletes will have the opportunity to compete in tournaments on a regular basis.

A special thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s after school activities, particularly our activity leaders and assistants: Marco Mascioli, Daniele Lorenzoni, Daniele Calanchini, Sidney Santos, Rebecca Carrarini, Georgia Fazi, Phebe Cosentino, Dina Castelluccio, Tatiana Martinez, Alice Tudino, Tommaso Scelba, Roberto Possanzini, Cecilia Iacolucci, Melvin Colis, Diana Hlaic, Rachel Atwood, Valeria Norgia, Jasmin Zarineh, Elena Colucci, Prue Conlon, Elena Crovetto, and Surya Savo.

Giulia Di Ruscio EC & ES After School Activities Coordinator

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Marymount’s first

History Bowl Students compete over two months to see who knows their history

he final round of Marymount’s first ever History Bowl took place in the auditorium on April 24.

This competition, inspired by the recently established National and International History Bowl based in the United States, is a history quiz competition for teams of four students.

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A student from the Senior and Junior IB History classes led

The winning team of Marymount’s first History Bowl included (l-r) Tonia N., Halla M., Abdou J., and Giulio della P.

each of the eight competing teams in Marymount’s inaugural event. Throughout the competition, students had to demonstrate historical knowledge spanning thousands of years in a mix of quick-fire, thematic, audiovisual, and multi-part-question quarters.

Beginning in February, nervewracking and at times nail-biting preliminary rounds

and semi-final contests whittled competing teams down to the final two headed by Abdou J. and Cole C. A combination of quicker response time and nerves of steel won the day for the team led by Abdou, who was ably assisted in answering questions by sophomore teammates Giulio della P., Halla M., and Tonia N..

Runners-up Cole and his teammates Luigi R., Jonathan A., and Alessandro A. put up

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strong opposition and were very gracious in accepting their defeat.

During a break in the final rounds an all-star student team composed of Tommaso S.R., Leonardo De A., Ryo S., Kristian R., Matteo C. and Allegra De L., who were selected from the preliminary rounds, bravely tested their general knowledge against that of the teachers represented by Mr. Evans, Mr. Iannone, Mr. Fry, Dr. Letendre, Dr. Bates, and Mr. Roniger.

Left: The second place team included (l-r) Cole C., Luigi R., Alessandro A., and Jonathan A.

At the end of an enthusiastic and fun-filled intermission, the teachers came out on top, proving to be movie buffs with superior knowledge of sportstrivia!

Headmistress Maria Castelluccio awarded the first annual Marymount History Bowl trophy to a victorious Team Abdou along with monetary prizes for all participating finalists.

Teams of freshmen are already lining-up to participate in next year’s event, a welcome addition to the Secondary School calendar.

Above left: Teacher Orla Ni Riordan (left) and student Lori N. kept score while IB Coordinator Lucy Alexander posed questions.

Above right: During the interval, faculty members Mr. Evans, Mr. Fry, Dr. Bates, Dr. Letendre, Mr. Iannone, and Mr. Roniger (not pictured) competed against students. Left: The student team included (l-r) Allegra De L., Tommaso S.R., Leonardo De A., Matteo C., Ryo S., and Kristian R.

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Students compete against other schools to see who is best in math

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n April 19, nine courageous Middle School students journeyed up the Cassia to attend the AOSR Pupils of Rome International Math Event (PRIME). Sixth Grader Kento Y., Seventh Graders Matteo M., Isabel J., Ling Yang “Cindy” Z., Natthaphat N., Leonardo M., Saveena R., and Eighth Graders Matteo B. and Francesca S. were all well prepared on “game day” with sharpened pencils in their hands.

More than 20 three-person teams from Marymount, AOSR, Rome International School, Ambrit, St. George’s, The New School, and Castelli International School competed for the opportunity to call themselves the best and brightest math students in Rome. Though the competition was composed mostly of

Winning Calculations

Marymount’s Prime math teams included (l-r): Ellie Graiziger (coach and student teacher) Matteo M., Natthaphat N., Isabel J., Ling Yang “Cindy” Z., Francesca S., Saveena R., Leonardo M., Matteo B., Kento Y., and Rachel Maloney-Hawkins (coach and teacher).

Eighth Graders, an underdog Sixth and Seventh Grade team from Marymount came in Second Place overall, missing First by only one point! Kento, Natthaphat, and Matteo led Marymount to clinching one of the top positions in the meet!

Congratulations to all competitors for their fantastic showing and participation.

Thanks also for the hard work of Coach Rachel MaloneyHawkins, Coach Ellie Graiziger (student teacher), and Seventh Grade Teacher Claudia Frasca

for helping to prepare the students to perform so well.

Ms. Rachel Maloney-Hawkins Secondary School Math

Marvelous Marbles

ne of the numerous projects that the Art 9/Basic Drawing and Design Class explored this year was the creation of faux or fake marbles. First, with our cameras in-hand we searched for examples of both real and fake marbles that the city of Rome had to offer. Then, the real work began when we returned to the studio and practiced trying to recreate these marbles using diverse techniques and tools.

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During these lessons of exploration and experimentation

we gradually went from the simplest types of marbles to the more complex. The first lesson was perhaps the most difficult when we needed to make the perfect vein. This was definitely the hardest part of all of our lessons. After the mastery of various marble techniques we then created a design of our own, applied it to a wooden board, which we prepared in the ancient fashion and then painted our design with tempera.

Come view our marbles in the high school library and let’s see

These faux marbles created by Grade 9 students (l-r) Tshiamo M., Thierry B., and Gaia B., as well as works by their classmates, are currently on display in the Secondary School Library. (Additional images are available in the iPad version of the newsletter.)

if we can fool you into believing they are real.

Arwa G. Grade 9

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Grade 8 English students recite ‘Romeo & Juliet’ in our beautiful gardens

In Fair Rome We Lay Our Scene

From Juliet’s diary by Anne-Sophie P.

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by Joyc

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obituary

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by Rom friend, Merc killed they t s . family his be m, and ed the ectful to to his killed v o y l t l a e y H lo resp ily. showed his fam e or wasn’t est” his ch ord ose to ud l r p c u s s a y f w a f w u sw y l p d a “ n o a s b d a g y n w he be ever an ys step in a , Tybalt n g looks e n h u s W o y y a im. alw as lwa loved h y he would a r. When he w ing. Now he il nn ono his fam his family h rom the begi f g . t s n i l i l w g, d i o e k s sh lov huntin off his g and hting, g i o f t fightin nce to show d d r e e us , swo ha writing se friends. H roverted. for a c nt lo eading, i c r d d d n n e a a d him inclu y shy family r s e d make e s v i l i b u h s b o o a w , heo w h meo,nRo t m g i e s w n i h a i H t g d h g me ti "Onhd Ro chil ? am interac wasRo eo is sword fi ed to beco a ef heou t th hen e that h uld have lik or war er t t n wh a e h d t i f say conan ddrethfuatsehe wo way thsser s yalfa Den e He ywath ful an s e c c hey ar u s e e." that t comm w . o r thybena n e k d a y le ly. We militar s Fami Tybalt’ o t d n a nd a h We exte

From an

PHOTOS: F. MARSHALL

"What's in a name?

That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet."

Mother and nurse are making me go to a masquerade to get a look at Paris, possibly my future husband. I am neither looking forward to, nor dreading this event. I’m optimistic about the encounter and hope he’s as handsome and likeable as mother and nurse have described him.

"A plague a' bo

From Romeo’s diary by Marta A.

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hakespeare’s great tragedy Romeo and Juliet, came alive for students in Ms. Marshall’s Grade 8 English class as they ventured out into Marymount’s gardens to recite passages from the play. e students also expressed their own ideas about several of the play’s main characters with diary entries (through the pens of Juliet and Romeo), obituaries, and tributes. Various excerpts from the work of a few of the students appear here.

A Tribute the Lively Mercutio Our fair city of Verona lost two of its occupants today: two young men robbed of their youth. One was Mercutio, the lively Mercutio who was brutally stabbed. His life was taken when he was giving a close friend a hand in an aggressive situation. We will commemorate him and keep him in our hearts forever. Mercutio was the town’s clown. He was always boasting, and laughing and living every second to its very fullest. You could never have a conversation with Mercutio without splitting your sides. He had an energetic sparkle that will leave a void in all of us. Mercutio was often with his two closest friends, Romeo and Benvolio Montague. Those boys were inseparable, always running, joking and laughing. Mercutio, the talkative and imaginative boy he was, would have them on the edge of their seats, listening, spellbound, to his infamous stories. We all know the one about Queen Mab! From a tribute to Mercutio by Saron D.

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Soccer Champs!

Varisty boys set record for Regional and European wins

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arymount's Varsity Boys Soccer team won the Division II European Championships on May 23 in Kaiserslautern, Germany, setting a new record as the reigning European champions three years in a row.

The boys went undefeated during regular season play and walked onto the fields in Germany not only as the defending European champions for a second time but also as the three-time Region IV Conference Champions.

Division II European Boys Soccer Champions 2011 - 2012 - 2013 Region IV Conference Boys Soccer Champions 2011 - 2012 - 2013

The MMI Royals demonstrated their outstanding athleticism and teamwork throughout the European Championships. Despite cold and rainy conditions on the field, the boys stayed focused and demonstrated the strength of both their offense and defense, scoring 7 goals in each of their third- to semi-final round matches while giving away no more than 2 points.

P. ZINZI

For the third time in four years, our team faced crosstown rival AOSR in the finals. The Royals won the match 3-2 with Senior Giovanni Formilli Fendi scoring all three of Marymount's goals.

Raffaele B. was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Giovanni F.F., Marco L., and Riccardo S. were named to the AllTournament Team.

The 2013 Varsity Boys Soccer team. Front row (l-r): Majid Al-H., Yosuke I., Carlo De M., Riccardo S., Francesco F.F., Marco L., Roberto D., Thierry B., Minhea C., Ryo S. Back row (l-r): Roberto Rossi (Coach), Nicolò F.S., Raffaele B., Sebastiano S., Filippo M.S., Lotanna M., Alessandro T., Shunsuke I., Giovanni F.F., Giovanni A., and Michele M.. Top photo: The whole schools turns out to welcome the teams back from the European Championships in Germany.

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Grade 3 boys team comes out on top at local tournaments

Soccer’s Rising Stars

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ongratulations to the Marymount Grade Three soccer team. Not only did the players earn the Under-9 Tournament Cup in May, they also won the 2012-13 Schools League Cup and last month’s Marymount Mondiale! Their cheers and smiling faces said it all.

After school soccer training since Kindergarten has welded these boys into a formidable force. No longer do they all huddle around the ball – they create space, attack, defend, and support their goalkeeper.

They have developed their skills and play as a team with precision passing, tenacious tackling, dogged defending, and fantastic finishing skills. All of this has resulted in some great games over the last six months.

A huge thank you to Marco and Daniele, the boys’ longstanding coaches who have trained and motivated the boys, organized the tournaments and matches, refereed, and managed the team at the tournaments. The players have trained hard every week, been substituted

The Grade Three soccer team poses proudly with their Under-9 Tournament Cup and Schools League Cup. The players include (l-r) Vieri V., Ignacio R.-B., Frederik S., Tommy C. Di S., Fouad K., Marco Valerio M., Jerry Ye, and Toby K.. With them are their longtime coaches, Marco Mascioli (left) and Daniele Lorenzoni (right).

on and off the pitch during matches without complaint, have supported each other, and have each and every one of them played their socks off!

Most importantly, the boys may have played hard, but they always played fair – and loved it! The games have been a pleasure to watch.

While writing about the Third Grade soccer team, we should also mention that with the addition of Luca De P. and Simon Y., the boys took part in the Operation Smile Sports Day, which they also won.

Mrs. Debbie Kjolberg Marymount Parent

With the addition of Simon Y. (back row, right) and Luca De P. (front row, right) the boys won their matches at the Operation Smile Sports Day in April.

PHOTOS: D. KJOLBERG

Well done to Fouad K., Toby K., Frederik S., Tommy C. Di S., Marco Valerio M., Jerry Y., Vieri V., and Ignacio R.-B.

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The Parent-Teacher Organization wraps up a great year

Many anks to the PTO he Marymount ParentTeacher Organization wrapped up a busy year with two great events last month: International Food Day and the Marymount Mondiale.

Despite variable weather, hundreds of people turned out to sample cuisine from around the world at International Food Day on May 25. Guests enjoyed a wide variety of tasty treats, including Japanese sushi, Spanish paella, and James Bond martini cupcakes.

The PTO extends special thanks to Francesco and Tania Ielapi, who donated a whole Italian porchetta to the event.

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PP. SILOBRCIC

The Second Annual Marymount Mondiale soccer tournament on May 26 featured 21 teams from 10 schools and clubs divided into two groups according to age. Marymount Elementary teams took the top spots in both age groups, and another MMI team also took third place in the Group 1 tournament. Together last month’s events raised more than €4,000.

This year, the PTO generously donated to the school the new audio system in the auditorium, including a high-quality digital mixer, four benches for the upper soccer field, an oven for the Early Childhood Center, two new gas barbeques, a third of the new recycling bins placed around campus, and new chess boards for the after school chess club. Thank you for your generosity!

Top left: International Food Day this year featured a delicious array of dishes from many countries represented at Marymount. Top right: The event also included an opportunity for the Elementary School to raise awareness of world hunger through its Empty Bowls project, in which guests received a simple meal of rice served in bowls created by the students. Right: Marymount’s team made up of Fourth and Fifth Graders celebrate taking first place in the Marymount Mondiale Soccer Tournament. A team of MMI Third Graders also won the tournament for their age group, and another one of our teams placed third.

Outgoing PTO President Lene Gianni (2nd from right) with Jacqueline Crupi (right) and past PTO Presidents Marina Fransoni (left) and Manuela Traldi (2nd from left) at the Marymount Dinner in February.

Thank you, Lene!

Everyone at Marymount extends sincere appreciation to outgoing PTO President Lene Gianni. Lene led the PTO with great enthusiasm during two very successful years. Under her leadership, involvement in the PTO and its activities grew significantly, and several new initiatives were added to the PTO calendar, including the elegant Marymount Dinner and the Marymount Mondiale soccer tournament.

The PTO has also taken a more active role in helping welcome new families to Marymount and in providing opportunities for parents to continue learning through computer classes, museum visits, and fitness classes. Ultimately, the goal of the PTO is to make Marymount an even better place for students to learn, teachers to teach, and families from throughout the world to become united. Under Lene, as well as past presidents, the PTO has certainly helped to achieve this.

Thank you, Lene, for two fantastic years!

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Members of the Senior class receive their diplomas and many accolades

Congratulations Class of 2013!

W

hile rain on the morning of June 1 meant that Marymount's graduation ceremony would not take place on the patio for the first time in several decades, there was no dampening of spirits inside the Auditorium as the members of the Class of 2013 became the school's newest alumni.

Also unusual this year was the fact that two pairs of students shared the honors of valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Jithin Mullappillil and Matej Vucak were named this year's valedictorians, and Qianyu Liu and Vittoria Marzano were named salutatorians.

In his address to the graduates, actor, writer, artist, and entrepreneur Paul Guilfoyle noted the challenges and opportunities that their generation will inherit and encouraged them to think about how they could face these challenges and seize the opportunities together.

The rain eventually stopped in time for one Marymount tradition to continue. Diplomas in hand, the students headed out to the front lawn after the ceremony, and together they jubilantly tossed their caps in the air in celebration of their accomplishments.

Congratulations graduates!

Clockwise from top: Marymount’s newest graduates and alumni toss their caps on the lawn following the commencement ceremony on June 1. Actor, writer, artist, environmentalist, and Marymount parent Paul Guilfoyle addresses the graduates. Student Council president Greta Quintini organizes her classmates for the cap toss.

The graduates assemble on the stage of the Auditorium for the ceremony. The graduates had a shorter route to march this year given that the ceremony took place indoors. As is tradition and representing our school colors, the girls wore white caps and gowns and the boys wore blue.

June 24 - July 19

FOR AGES 5-14

Summer Camp Marymount

Monday-Friday

Sports • Art • Drama •

Music • Writing

Swimming pool, soccer field, basketball and tennis courts on campus. Bus service available.

www.marymountrome.org/summercamp

june

summer@marymountrome.it • (+39) 06 36 29 101

1 / Saturday Graduation

Scholastic Aptitude Test

2 / Sunday

S. Susanna Mass in the Chapel at 11am

6 / Thursday

Fourth Grade Show at 1:30pm

7 / Friday

Rise & Read at 7:45am

8 / Saturday

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Mary

9 / Sunday

S. Susanna Mass in the Chapel at 11am

10-11 / Monday - Tuesday High School Exams

12 / Wednesday

Grade 5 Moving Up Ceremony High School Exam Make-Up Day

13-14 / Thursday - Friday High School Exams

16 / Sunday

17 / Monday

2 0 1 3

Kindergarten Graduation

18 / Tuesday

Closing Liturgy at 9:15am for Grades 1-5

19 / Wednesday

Closing Liturgy at 11:15am for Grades 1-5 Summer Vacation Begins at 12:30pm

20-21 / Thursday - Friday Faculty In-Service

Final S. Susanna Mass in the Chapel at 11am followed by Parish Picnic

Happy Summer!

Marymount

International School Via di Villa Lauchli, 180 00191 Rome, Italy (+39) 06 362 9101

www.marymountrome.org

This newsletter is published monthly by the Development Office for the Marymount community.

Designed and edited by J. Dunn Photography by J. Dunn unless noted otherwise

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