BISHOPBYTES ACA DEMIC S
Grade 12 student, Jonah Rubin has been recognized as a ‘Commended Student’ in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for the top performers on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT). Each year, approximately 1.5 million students take the PSAT, and the top 5 percent of those students are recognized for exceptional academic promise, as “Commended Students” Rubin was actually in the top 2.5%! This is the first time a Ridley student has received this award.
From left: Bryan Nixon, Head of School at Whitby, Tommy Hilfiger and Headmaster, Ed Kidd at the IB panel discussion.
H EA DMA S T ER MODERAT ES
In April, Whitby School and Ridley College hosted a lively panel discussion about the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) programme at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT. Panelists, Tommy Hilfiger, Panetha Ott and Michael Leshner shared their perspectives on how IB is providing the framework for students to become global thinkers, and equipping them with skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. Ridley Headmaster Ed Kidd was a moderator.
P UB LIC S P EA KING
The Nora McCrae Public Speaking Tournament was hosted by Branksome Hall on the final weekend of April. Philip Brenninkmeyer ‘17, Noel Cousins ‘16, Gracie Lowes ‘16 and Jose Obiang ‘15 represented Ridley. The tournament featured a variety of public speaking events. Gracie Lowes placed seventh overall in a field of 28 competitors, and second in the After-Dinner category. As a team, Ridley placed 3rd out of seven schools.
The Lower School Public Speaking Festival was a fantastic display of student creativity, speech-writing and communication skills. Winners were Michelle Lim ‘21 in the Junior category; Owen Leach ‘20 winner in the Senior category; and Anisa Estrada ‘19 winner in the ELL category. Owen and Michelle represented Ridley at the Grantham Optimist Public Speaking Festival. The Upper School Debate and Public Speaking calendar came to a close with Ridley participating in two fine tournaments. At the Spring Fulford Cup hosted by Appleby College, senior students Arwyn Workman-Youmans ‘16 and Kailene Jackson ‘15 placed 5th out of 20 schools, while the novice juniors, Mira Hallock ‘18 and Natalie Brown’18 finished 11th. Kailene Jackson completed an outstanding career in debate with a 4th place finish overall from a field of forty. She received the decorative Fulford citation in her final competitive debate.
DAVID WHITTY WINS COACH OF THE YEAR
On June 4th, Director of Basketball, David Whitty was honoured as Sport Niagara Coach of the Year, at their annual awards breakfast. This year Coach Whitty led the 1st Boys Basketball team to its most successful season in Ridley’s history. Mr. Whitty has been an admired coach to numerous student athletes over his career at the school. He recently retired after 33 years of teaching at Ridley, but he continues to lead the successful basketball program. Congratulations to Coach Whitty!
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Kailene Jackson ‘15