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Mia Wu, Middle and Upper School world language teacher, uses fashion, music, and food to engage students and broaden their horizons.

During Middle School, students investigate the impact of street fashion in China and use their research to design a runway look. During Upper School, students craft a “Welcome to Seven Hills” song after their travel unit that encapsulates the charm of the school, their favorite parts about Cincinnati, and why people should visit.

“Since Chinese courses start in seventh grade and carry on through Upper School, I know students better and know their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, which helps me to pick out better topics to teach in the curriculum. We have so much fun; it is not only a class but also a way to experience foreign countries without being abroad. I witness my students evolve as they dive into learning another language. They develop stronger empathy for other cultural groups and a sense of adventure, such as traveling or trying new things,” Wu said.

According to Bardon, she and her fellow world language teachers feel incredibly lucky to be so deeply supported by the administration.

“ [Head of School ] Chris Garten, [Head of Upper School ] Matt Bolton, and [Assistant Head of School ] Susan Marrs all encourage the importance of understanding languages. They understand it’s another piece of how students can be well-rounded and prepared for the world.

“I witness my students evolve as they dive into learning another language. They develop stronger empathy for other cultural groups and a sense of adventure, such as traveling or trying new things.”

They support our student exchanges and our curriculum, and they trust our abilities to determine how to craft a curriculum that enables students to exceed their expectations. As a department, we collaborate all the time and work together to figure out lesson plans and projects and help each other be our best versions as teachers. Because the students see our genuine camaraderie, it helps foster an open and familial academic environment for them to continue to challenge themselves, as they know they’re surrounded by endless support,” Bardon said.

Of the 170 Seven Hills students who took 373 Advanced Placement exams in 17 subjects in May 2022, 91% qualified for advanced college standing by receiving a score of 3 or better on the 1-5 national scale on at least one exam. Among those who qualified, 85 were named AP Scholars by the College Board for their exceptional achievements of scoring 3 or higher on more than three exams.

Receiving AP Scholar with Distinction Awards for average scores of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of at least 3 or higher on four or more exams are Class of 2023 graduates Shanaya Bharucha, Logan Bien*, Saahil Chunduri, Erin Finn, Mallory Gravitt, Jerry Hou, Abigail Li, Ryan Meador, Rohan Nambiar, Anna Papakirk, Neel Parameswaran, Olivia Pohl, Jack Ringel, Aana Shenai, Anna Wabler, and Daniel Yi. Class of 2022 graduates who received AP Scholar with Distinction Awards are Aleena Arif, Dhruva Balaji, Kevin Chen, Sarah Croog, Kathryn Guo, Rosalie Hoar, Cece Hood, Jacky Hou, Jenny Hu, Riley Jones, Aahana Katneni, Gabriella Khaskelis, Corinne Kieser, Angel Liang, Robby Ligeralde, Jake Messer, Martina Miquelarena, Julia Moser, Allie Nathan, Ella Jo Piersma, Aditi Purushothaman, Naina Purushothaman, Santiago Rodriguez, Sebastian Rodriguez, Meg Seshiah, Cristina Stancescu, Alexis Veldhuis, and Manan Vij.

Receiving AP Scholar with Honor Awards for an average score of at least 3.25 on all exams and a score of 3 or higher on four or more exams are Class of 2023 graduates Gemma Baldwin, Ariane Briquet, Elias Buttress, Ella Dubay, Thomas Dunson, Annelise Hawgood, Catherine McAndrew, George Mentrup, and Emily Rosenfeld. Class of 2022 graduates who received AP Scholar with Honor Awards are Daniela Amadeo-Muniz, Aanya Anand, Jack Holden, Maya Martinez Diers, and Lyn Price.

Receiving AP Scholar Awards for earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams are current students Mikul Wyer and Julia Zeng. Class of 2023 graduates who received AP Scholar Awards are Zara Asghar, Ellie Cain, Clara Chen, Josie Domet, Mallory Dorsch, Samantha Froehle, Simon He, Mia Mason, Ashley McLennan, Kyler Pang, Piper Reusch, Emerson Rinaldi, Saloni Sachdeva, Edie Tesfaye, and Elosie Young. Class of 2022 graduates who received AP Scholar Awards are Pelle Eijkenboom, Suhani Gupta, Mackenzie Hartman, Mercer Kruzner, Evan Michelman, Emma Schlueter, Lucy Schneider, Aditi Sinha, and Colin Yeager.

Based on scores received in September 2022

*Name was inadvertently left out of the original printin g of this story.