The Seven HIlls Buzz-May 23, 2011

SEVEN HILLS The Buzz

A Brief Word from Chris Garten Last week I witnessed a miracle! While visiting a Pre-Kindergarten classroom one morning, I was greeted immediately by one of our youngest students. Something was happening across the room that she wanted me to see!

She clutched my hand and led me to a white, diaphanous fabric cage, where, on top of some delicate green leaves, an infant butterfly was, just at that moment, emerging from its chrysalis. With undisguised excitement she summoned each of her classmates to share in the miracle.

We watched together as the fragile creature shimmied out of its shell, its mottled wings still folded in tight creases. Over the next few minutes, it stretched itself to its full length, unfolded its wings, and set off to explore its surroundings.

And then it struck me why I found this so deeply moving. This is the miracle that we, as teachers and parents, get to witness every day. Here’s wishing you a summer of well-deserved rest and a lifetime of miracles ahead!

Chris Garten, Head of School

May 23, 2011

40% of Class of 2012 to receive National Merit recognition!

We received word from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation that 24 of the 60 members of the Class of 2012— or 40% of the class—will earn National Merit recognition in 2011-2012!

Congratulations to the following students, who qualified for recognition with their scores on the 2010 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and who met the requirements of the

program: Harrison Addy, Izzy Arjmand, Sarah Austin, Alex Baggott, Bennett Barr, Emily Bedell, Claire Duncan, Alex Ferree, Ryan Ferrell, Ian Grohsgal, Broti Gupta, Kate Harsh, Betsy Johnson, Ginger Johnson, Olivia Koster, George Lawson, Sharon Liao, Courtney Linne, Alex Markovits, Sam McHugh, Adair McWilliams, Allie Scheiber, Jonathan Tiao, and Ned Williamson.

Our feature on the new members of the Cum Laude Society is on pages 4-6.

Seniors selected by State Department to study in China, Turkey Seniors Katie Cromer and Joe Soonthornsawad are among 650 students nationally who have been selected by the U.S. Department of State to study a foreign language abroad for six weeks this summer. The State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) provides full scholarships to U.S. high school students and recent graduates interested in learning “less-commonly-studied foreign languages.” Katie was selected to study Chinese and live with a host family in Shanghai, and Joe was selected to study Turkish and live with a host family in Istanbul.

Two special events at Middle were (above) the annual Celebration of Birds (page 13), which included prekindergartners this year, and (at right) the adaptation, staging and performance of scenes from Romeo and Juliet by eighth grade English students (page 12).

Youth in Politics: “Developing a Voice in Our Youth”

Judge Fanon Rucker, Verna Williams, Dale Louda, Melissa Godoy, Andrea Blackmon.

The Seven Hills Network of African American Parents (SNAAP) hosted its second “Youth in Politics: Developing a Voice in Our Youth” forum on April 9.

Open to the community, the event engaged young people in political discussions and shared with them the importance of developing a voice in their communities. The event included a panel discussion, small group discussions, and activities for middle and upper school students.

Moderated by SNAAP President Felicia Bell, the panel included Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Fanon Rucker; University of Cincinnati Professor of Law Verna

Williams; former Washington lobbyist Dale Louda, Cincinnati Herald New Business Director Andrea Blackmon, and independent filmmaker Melissa Godoy. All related fascinating and inspiring stories of the events and passions that led them to their careers.

Brian Phelps earns recognition as Certified Athletic Administrator Assistant Athletic Director and Physical Education Department Chair Brian Phelps has been recognized as a Certified Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

To earn this distinction, Phelps has demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration.

The voluntary certification process included a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s educational background, experience and professional contributions, as well as a rigorous, comprehensive written examination.

A statement released by the NIAAA stated, “Brian Phelps is one of an elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators nationwide to attain this level of professionalism.”

The NIAAA is a national professional organization consisting of all 50 state athletic administrator associations and more than 7,600 individual members. It is dedicated to promoting the professional growth of high school athletic administrators and preserving the educational nature of interscholastic athletics and the place of these programs in the secondary school curriculum.

Go to S e v e n H i l l s S u m m e r for information and online registration for the Seven Hills Summer 2011 Program.

Make It An Unforgettable Summer at Seven Hills! page 2

Award-winning children’s book illustrator Floyd Cooper at Seven Hills

Mrs. Snyder reported on the wonderful visit of children’s book illustrator Floyd Cooper, whose visits to Lotspeich and Doherty were funded by Grandparent Annual Giving. Thank you, Grandparents!

“Floyd Cooper, illustrator of more than 80 books and 2000 book covers, explained his unusual technique of illustrating books to enthusiastic audiences at Lotspeich and Doherty,” said Mrs. Snyder. “He begins by painting an illustration board with oil paint and then uses a stretchy eraser to erase a picture! We were fascinated as we saw an image appear!

“He encouraged his audiences to follow their dreams, explaining that even though he worked for two years at a greeting card company that rejected everything he did, he practiced and improved and then moved to New York City where he finally had success. Mr. Cooper has drawn pictures since he was three years old and has now become both a writer and illustrator. In addition to the Coretta Scott King Awards he has received for his illustrations, one of his newest books, Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss, was named a 2011 Notable Children’s Book and received The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award.”

We need your suppor t!

Please help The Seven Hills Fund reach its goal!

At this time of year, your support is crucial as we work toward our goal of $1.2M by the close of the fiscal year. We have currently raised $986,898 (through May 18), and we need your help over the coming weeks.

Make your gift or pledge BEFORE JUNE 30, 2011, by going to www.7hills.org and clicking on Giving.

Questions? Please contact Meridith Oberklein Spille ’95, Director of Annual Giving, at 513-527-1306 or meridith.spille@7hills.org.

Your participation—at any level that is comfortable for you—benefits current and future students and is truly appreciated!

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Congratulations to new members of national Cum Laude Society The Upper School honored its new inductees in the Seven Hills chapter of the Cum Laude Society, a national honor society which recognizes academic excellence, at the Cum Laude Dinner on April 13. New members are juniors Izzy Arjmand, Emily Bedell, Alex Ferree, Sharon Liao, Alex Markovits, Ian Grohsgal; seniors Julianne Bain, Jeff Brown, Helen Head, Elisse Hill, Victoria Huang, Ari Kirsh, Nathan Markiewitz, George Taliaferro, and Virgil Urbina Lazardi. The event also honored the members who were inducted last year as juniors: Justine Cefalu, Peppar Cyr, Sydney Larkin, and Sasha Lieberman. Guest speaker was P.G. Sittenfeld ’03.

Head of School Chris Garten said, “Modeled after Phi Beta Kappa at the college level, the Cum Laude Society recognizes academic excellence in some of this country’s most prestigious high schools. Membership is strictly limited to schools with exemplary academic programs, and Seven Hills is one of just a handful in Ohio. Induction today means that these students are being recognized as among the best of the best in secondary education in the nation.”

It’s a tradition at the event for faculty members of the Cum Laude Committee to address each new member with remarks compiled from quotes from the student’s teachers.

Excerpts from those remarks appear on these pages.

P.G. Sittenfeld

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Isabel Arjmand (11) “Southern fiction writer Flannery O’Connor gave this advice to young writers: ’In most good stories, it is the character’s personality that creates the action of the story. If you start with a real personality, a real character, then something is bound to happen.’ Izzy, you are that kind of character. Since your first day at Seven Hills, you have been a catalyst that promotes real action. You are known and admired – not simply for your staggering academic prowess but for your unwavering goodwill and optimism. Your list of achievements is extensive; that’s true. But your most important and lasting achievement is that, in spite of all you have accomplished, you remain a study in humility and grace. Both in and out of the classroom, you strive to build community in ways that invite collaboration, celebrate success, but avoid recognition. You are a joyful character in our shared story.”

Tricia Hoar Julianne Bain (12) “Your teachers describe you as a deep thinker that sets the bar very high for your own learning and understanding. Many have remarked on your incredible work ethic and your confident no-nonsense approach to challenging problems. They describe your natural curiosity as you search out interconnections among concepts, and how meticulous and diligent you are in preparing your assignments. Perhaps more impressive, though, is your ability to help shape the dynamics of class discussions with your positive energy and down-to-earth attitude. It is not unusual to find you shepherding your classmates along and helping to resolve questions that they may have. It is no wonder that you are so respected by your peers and teachers alike.”

Tina Groom Emily Bedell (11) “Emily is the kind of student that teachers love to teach. Motivated, organized, disciplined and always on top of her assignments, Emily brings abundant ability and an unmistakable joie de vivre to class each and every day. Curious, enthusiastic, and original, she maintains a unique balance between joyful expression and razor-sharp thinking. Teachers have commented that her insights drive class discussion to new levels of depth and sophistication. She sets high academic standards for herself and enjoys steep challenges, but most impressively, she handles temporary setbacks with gracious resolve and resilience, always challenging herself to take risks and continue to improve. Emily has great dignity coupled with the ability to bring light and life into the classroom.”

Tina Groom Jeff Brown (12) “Jeff, you have a quiet, almost understated approach to your own learning. You listen carefully to a discussion, sorting out the fine points in your mind, finding patterns, isolating details, looking for what makes this problem unique. Then you offer a clear, precise analysis of how you see and understand it. That described your work in history last year, but we can apply that same description to any discipline. As Mr. Turansky wrote of you, the thornier the problem, the more you rise to the occasion. You take full responsibility for your own learning, but you also contribute to the understanding and learning of your classmates. In short, any class is better when you are a member. You bring out the best in yourself and in your classmates.”

Lowell Wenger

Alex Ferree (11) “All one needs for a definition of joy in learning is to watch you in action in a class. The bell rings, your eyes light up, and you are ready to take on whatever the topic is for that day and time. You thrive on the give-and-take of a discussion as you tackle complicated problems, isolating issues, trying out ideas, and offering a clear, concise explanation for our consideration. You find the subtle nuances and the fine details, but you never lose sight of the broader landscape. With all that, your empathy keeps you in contact with the human element. That is true of your approach to history, but it also applies to all of your subjects. For that wonderful blend of joy and seriousness in your approach to learning, we are pleased to welcome you to Cum Laude.”

Lowell Wenger Ian Grohsgal (11) “I remember the day last year when I discovered English was not the only class you cared about. It was a day like any other; you arrived to class early, greeted me warmly, and took your seat front and center. While your classmates filed in, you were flipping through your chemistry lab book before slipping it into your backpack. I too looked at your book and was amazed at what I found there: meticulous penmanship, carefully crafted descriptions, and incredibly detailed illustrations. I was stunned. How could this be? You were one of my sharpest critics and most accomplished writers—not to mention eager, hard working, and creative, and yet you clearly cared about Honors Chemistry! After conferring with your other teachers, I discovered that you made each of us believe that our class was your only class. Then and now, your enthusiasm, love of learning, and steadfast optimism in every class you join garner our sincere appreciation, admiration, and commendation. Therefore, Ian, it is with great pleasure that we welcome you.”

Tricia Hoar Helen Head (12) “One of your teachers described you as ‘a discriminating thinker,’ a student who has developed an inquisitive and ordered intellect. You are first and foremost an independent learner: you listen carefully to ideas and opinions, you turn them over, you analyse, examine, scrutinize and study, and you always arrive at your own independent conclusions. Known for your active and enthusiastic engagement in your classes, you understand the nuances in language and literature, as well as the most complex concepts in mathematics and lab science. Your teachers and classmates also appreciate your calm, careful and patient presence in class, offering help and encouragement to others, bolstering spirits with your warm smile and thoughtful words.”

Wynne Curry

Elisse Hill (12) “You surprise us every day with a new idea.

Your teachers describe you as ‘a quick, lucid thinker,’ someone ‘who often sees different possibilities for solutions than her peers.’

Your physics teacher says you are the most original thinker in the class. And no lesser a personage than David Abineri, of sainted memory, has said that you ‘have a remarkable talent for mathematics.’ A history teacher has said you are a powerhouse in the classroom, and nearly everybody notes that all that you do in the classroom you do with a smile and a kind word. I myself have had occasion to say that you respond to a work of literature with great intensity and an oblique and original viewpoint, and we all have noted that you never met a problem you didn’t like. We send you on to MIT or Princeton (just two of many lovely choices we know you will have in your life) with affectionate curiosity to see what you next get up to.”

Sandra Smythe Victoria Huang (12) “Victoria, you are described by teachers as perceptive and intuitive, with provocative ideas and fine, critical insights. Teachers appreciate your ability to move the class discussions forward with your poignant questions, or by posing the challenges and answering questions that require thought and a clear and sensitive understanding of the subject. A class leader in daily discussion, teachers know that when your hand goes up, it’s going to be a sound and sophisticated question or comment from which the whole class will benefit. Your strong work ethic and intellectual tenacity have served you well, and you are known for your provocative ideas and critical insights.

With your modest dignity, respectful demeanor and fine incisive mind, it is no wonder that you have earned the respect of your peers and teachers alike.”

Tina Groom (Ari Kirsh is on the next page)

Sharon Liao (11) “Your teachers describe you as a skillful, critical thinker and an insightful, sophisticated observer. You probe, question and look at nuances. You are not satisfied with the superficial. You have a curiosity and an appreciation for the subject matter and so you dive in, however challenging the topic, striving to truly comprehend and learn rather than just memorize and get a grade. You display this seriousness of purpose whether you are analyzing a piece of writing, grappling with a math problem or working in the science lab. Although you tend to be a quiet student you are still seen as a presence and a role model in the classroom. For your consistent efforts to challenge yourself and strive for excellence in all academic fields, we are pleased to welcome you.”

Barbara Scarr

Ari Kirsh (12) “You are relentless, and everybody says so.

For four years you have challenged your teachers with thorough and carefully considered questions and a level of exuberance that is electrifying in a classroom. One math teacher has said that you will ‘work a problem through to its conclusion no matter how difficult’ and another that ‘your sophisticated understanding has set the pace for the class.’ A history teacher who is no mean practitioner of argument himself has said that you construct arguments of ‘great conceptual clarity.’ Nearly everybody mentions your funny and joyful take on the world, and everybody notes your decency and kindness and your infectious enthusiasm for the life of the mind. By grade nine, you had already been designated a promising young scholar, but scholarship is by no means your only passion. Your theatre teacher says you are ‘an acute observer with a knack for casting,’ and one of your English teachers notes with admiration your ‘encyclopedic knowledge of all things having to do with comic books.’ So we nod in admiration to your Renaissance proclivities, and, with an enthusiasm at least equal to your own, we welcome you to Cum Laude.”

Sandra Smythe Nathan Markiewitz (12) “Nathan, whatever the subject, whatever the task, you seem to jump right in—enthusiastic, prepared and ready to give it your all. Your mind seems to race with thoughts, ideas, questions and answers. You are an active contributor to all class activities and you have the courage to take intellectual risks and speak up in any kind of discussion where others might be more hesitant. It is not only your classroom knowledge that you draw on but your outside interests and prolific reading. You are motivated by a desire to comprehend rather than just accumulate grades. For your passion, excitement and your commitment to truly understanding whatever subject you are delving into, we are pleased to welcome you into Cum Laude.”

Barbara Scarr Alex Markovits (11) “Alex, with the same meticulous planning and strategy you bring to a chess game, you demonstrate the same qualities in your classes. It is evident to all of your teachers that you appreciate and value the vast universe of ideas, ranging from literature to the arts, from the sciences to language. A contemplative and analytic learner, you listen carefully, concentrate fully, and slowly digest each body of knowledge, setting a steady and confident pace for yourself. An independent learner to page 6 page 4

your very core, you have learned to develop opinions, values and beliefs, based on your own examination of argument and evidence. Certainly a grand master in our community, you have earned the recognition of Cum Laude.”

Wynne Curry George Taliaferro (12) “George, almost owlishly, you listen quietly and observe—everything, the most minute detail, the most fleeting nuance in a work of literature, in a comment, in an idea— and then you can connect all the points into a dazzling and illuminating analysis. Even when you were a ninth grader, your teacher noted your ‘astute critical sense.’ And later, your math teacher concurred: you ‘give the mathematics you are studying deep thought,’ she says, and you ‘pay attention to how things connect mathematically.’ This ability to synthesize information is a rare talent, but by no means your only one. Your music teacher has said also that it is ‘rare to work with such a giving, thoughtful musician.’ So we are all agreed that you are no average bear—‘a treat to teach’ says one teacher and a student who responds to learning says another “with remarkable grace.’

So we celebrate both your incisive mind and your kindly and modest ways and welcome you warmly to Cum Laude.”

Sandra Smythe Virgilio Urbina Lazardi (12) “Virgilio, from the time you arrived at Seven Hills several years ago, you have displayed a capacious and lively appetite for learning.

Deeply engaged in all of your classes, you offer the very best intellectual qualities to your classmates and teachers, circumnavigating entire seas of ideas. You always display an inquisitive and compassionate strength of mind: you are driven to learn, to ask questions and to uncover answers. In all of your classes, your wide frame of literary, historical, and scientific reference opens doors for discussion and debate. And perhaps most importantly, you embody intellectual respect and excitement, realizing that learning, in and of itself, has its own rewards.”

Wynne Curry

A look at what’s happening at Upper School

See page 11 for Middle School, page 14 for Lotspeich, and page 18 for Doherty Sophomore Sara Hodgkins has been selected as Upper’s representative for the 2012 Regional Youth Leadership Program.

Junior Sharon Liao, Canvass Editor in Chief for next year, has been accepted to the very selective journalism training camp sponsored by the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).

Mrs. Ford invites everyone to view senior Helen Head’s “most interesting and entertaining” two-minute video on YouTube dealing with alternative energy sources to power homes. Helen did the video as the outreach component of her Planet and Me Project for Environmental Science. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayLvITvvRX8 Congratulations to the winter season athletes and coaches who were recognized as All-Stars by the Enquirer. Senior Max Davis was selected as Div. IV Player of the Year and Coach Willie Hill was named Div. IV Coach of the Year for boys basketball. Additionally, senior Miles Hill and senior Adimu Hunter-Woodard received Honorable Mention recognition for Divs. II-IV basketball. Freshman Lauren Weems received Honorable Mention recognition for Divs. II-IV girls basketball. In gymnastics, senior Alex Wilt was named to the First Team and junior Amy Mauro and freshman Reena SenGupta received Honorable Mention recognition. Junior Sarah Austin was named to the First Team for girls swimming (Div. II) and also was named to the Honorable Mention team for the 200 Individual Medley Relay.

Mrs. Ford’s Environmental Science students worked with fourth graders, exploring Smog City (www. smogcity.com), loss of biodiversity and bleaching of the coral reefs. page 7

Three chemistry students earned awards in competitive tests offered by the American Chemical Society, and they were honored at the April meeting/banquet of the Cincinnati Section of the ACS at NKU on April 13. Sophomore Kyle Patel placed fourth on the firstyear chemistry exam out of 150 students in the region, and he was awarded a $115 cash prize. Juniors Kyle Patel, Suhel Singh, Ned Williamson Suhel Singh and Ned Williamson placed in the top ten out of 106 students in the region on the second-year chemistry exam. Ned was invited to compete in a second tier of testing for qualification in the Chemistry Olympiad. He took a six-hour exam, including a lab practical, at Miami University.

Mr. Davis said, “The 2010 first semester Economics class earned money by creating and operating a business that offered lemonade and various complementary products. The class comprised three separate business entities that each showed a profit after one day of operation. The collective profits for each of the three teams was $150. The class learned that seed capital (loans) was the key ingredient in their success. The class decided to take their profits and help another entrepreneur in a distant land that too would benefit from seed capital. The class choose to lend the entire $150 to a restaurant owner in Paraguay that needed a non-secured loan to expand his business. On April 7,

2011, Modesto Paredes Legutzamon fulfilled his obligation by making his final monthly payment.“ Mrs. Ramsay said, “My Upper School Geometry classes culminated their study of right triangle trigonometry with an application of these concepts to North American ski slopes. I loved that students investigated the ski slopes and obtained pertinent data using Google Earth, did their calculations with Geometer Sketchpad’s built-in calculator, drew a visual representation of their findings using Sketchpad or Word, and then posted these documents on our class wiki. A paperless endeavor from start to finish!”

In recent years, following a post-9/11 hiatus, Seven Hills has developed a host of foreign study opportunities, including the very successful Downey Seminar program, through which rising seniors explore China for three weeks in the summer, and, most recently, exchange programs with France (Spring Break 2011) and Spain (2011-2012 school year).

French Exchange Program is latest in foreign study opportunities

Nineteen Upper School students spent March 19–April 2 in France as part of Seven Hills’ French Exchange Program. Following a four-day stay in Paris, the students spent ten days in Marseille, where they lived with a French family and attended the Lycée Mélizan with their student exchange partner.

Nineteen students (two pictured above, second and third from left) from Lycée Mélizan spent April 9–April 23 at Seven Hills, attending classes with their exchange partners, living with their host families, and enjoying Cincinnati and Seven Hills, including the Prom.

Students make a difference on “Alternative Spring Break” Sixteen Upper School students and their chaperones had the opportunity to spend part of Spring Break 2011 making a difference in a community that is very different from their own. On the Upper School’s first community service spring break trip, a group of Seven Hills students and faculty volunteered March 20-25 with Phelps Area Habitat for Humanity in Pike County, Kentucky, an Appalachian community located about 4 ½ hours away.

Head of Upper School and chaperone Nick Francis said, “Our students were exposed to an environment and living conditions that are unfamiliar to them. This presented various challenges.

They also challenged themselves by doing work that was new and demanding. Despite all of this, they threw themselves into the endeavor with full enthusiasm. It was impressive to see their positive attitudes and maturity. And they had a good time too!” page 8

Global Education Day at Upper: Becoming the ”missing peace” has far-reaching impact Upper’s Global Ed Day included a keynote address; individual sessions with school and community experts on subjects like global and local poverty, modern slavery, service opportunities in needy countries, global human rights, and global sustainability; a Global Hunger Simulation activity demonstrating the gaps between First, Second and Third Worlds; a sampler of global cuisine; and a great deal of discussion and introspection on the state of the world and one’s role in making it better.

Artwork by the Materials and Design class, who completed the work (above) at the start of the opening assembly, made a powerful statement and set the theme for the day.

English teacher and Upper Equity and Justice Coordinator Nate Gleiner, who organized the day, said, “On April 22, Connie Ring, from Moeller High School, visited Seven Hills to deliver Global Education Day’s keynote address. She spoke powerfully about Unified for UNIFAT (unifiedforunifat.com), an organization created by a Moeller student in 2005 to benefit UNIFAT (United Nile Institute for Appropriate Technology) School. The school, founded in 1985 by Abitimo Odongkara, serves students in northern Uganda, many of whom are affected by the ongoing violence in the region.

“In response to Connie’s visit, Seven Hills formed its own chapter of Unified for UNIFAT (U4U), becoming the 17th high school in the region to join in sponsoring and supporting over 100 students at UNIFAT School. To show his support for the chapter, U4U founder Will Tardio visited a chapter meeting in early May. In just under a month, the student body at Seven Hills has raised over $2000, allowing us to sponsor a minimum of six children for the upcoming calendar year. Fundraising efforts have included an AP-week pancake sale and sponsorship of lacrosse players. We recently elected our Executive Board for 2011-2012, and we look forward to continuing raising funds and awareness in the coming year.” page 9

Above, members of the Second World; at right, Mr. Gleiner passed out treats for the First World.

Mr. Gleiner told the students at the close of Global Ed Day, “I want to thank all of you for your participation in today’s many presentations, activities, and discussions. As Ms. Ring said during her keynote speech, you are all incredibly extraordinary. You make this work worth doing through your enthusiasm, your compassion, your willingness to listen and engage, and your desire to stretch your boundaries of understanding and experience.

“As I look around this room, I see faces of possibility, of power, of promise. You give me hope. Hope in what you can do. Hope in what you will do. Hope that you know how incredibly extraordinary you all are. And hope that we truly can find it within ourselves to become the missing peace.”

Bachathon!

It was the first Seven Hills Bachathon, hosted by Mr. Rising in his best powdered wig, at lunchtime on April 28. Musicians from Middle and Upper were invited to perform pieces by JS Bach. “The recital was a celebration of Bach's music, and all of the performers did an amazing job,” said Mr. Rising. The Bachathon was attended by student and faculty fans of Bach and Seven Hills music.

The attractive, though pale and quiet, student at far right has shown up in various spots around campus, including the annual Coffee House arts celebration in the DAC on May 13.

Created by amazing art students in our studios, she is one of the many artworks which show up serendipiously around campus and which totally delight us.

Sharing Personal Challenge projects with the school community.

The Upper School Chorus, pictured performing in St. John’s Cathedral in New York City, had a very successful trip to the Big Apple this spring.

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A look at what’s happening at Middle School Mrs. Glum said, “The Seven Hills Roots and Shoots Club has been collecting cell phones for our ‘bring a phone, save a home’ campaign to protect gorilla habitats. The cell phones were delivered to the Zoo over spring break as part of a presentation the students made to Jane Goodall (pictured at right with Middle students and teachers), other Roots & Shoots groups, and staff from the Zoo. Seven Hills collected more than 100 cell phones this year which makes us participants at the GBF (Gorilla Best Friend) Level. Next year we hope to participate at the highest level—GBFF (Gorilla Best Friend Forever) level by bringing in more than 300 used phones.”

Sixth grader Noelle O’Neal competed again this year in the Pony Club Quiz.

During Quiz, several hundred Pony Club competitors from eight states gather in Nashville to test their knowledge of horsemanship during a grueling six-hour exam of practical and written challenges. Noelle took the First Place prize for her level and was on the First Place team, as well. She also had the secondhighest score across all age groups and levels. She has now advanced to compete at the national level this summer.

Senate ran a basket drive to raise money for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Olivia Silverman and Nicole Malofsky are the officers who head the Service Committee. Senate members and their parents put the basket raffle together and raised $820.

Eighth grader Mitch Polonsky had a leading role in the Cincinnati Playwright’s Initiative’s “CPI New Voices: From Auschwitz To Cincinnati: The Surviving Tunes” in April at the Aronoff’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Written by Kalman Kivkovich, the play is based on the life of a phenomenal violinist and Holocaust survivor, Henry Meyer.

Mrs. Glum said, “On April 21, seventh grade students Skyped with scientist George Divoky, who is currently in the page 11

Arctic getting ready for his summer field season on Cooper Island in the Arctic Ocean. Divoky showed students the polar bearproof nest boxes he is placing on the island in order to continue his 30+ year study of a Black Guillemots colony. In recent years polar bears have begun visiting Cooper Island during the summer, looking

The seventh grade wrapped up its science unit on watersheds with a field trip to Sharon Woods Creek hosted by the Ohio River Foundation. Students conducted biological and chemical tests to assess the health of the stream. The students decided the water quality was fair to good on the day of their visit.

for food since the sea ice they depend on for hunting is no longer accessible throughout the summer. Desperate polar bears will feed on Black Guillemot chicks, thus the need for the new nest boxes. Seventh graders will sponsor two nest boxes this summer, using money they raised by holding a Bake Sale for the Birds.”

Eighth graders make Romeo and Juliet their own

Mrs. Maupin’s eighth grade English students experienced a deeper understanding of Shakespeare as playwrights, producers, and actors, as they collaborated by class period to create their own production of Romeo and Juliet. The students in Mrs. Maupin’s five classes worked with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company actor/teacher Billy Chace over five full Mondays to adapt and assemble a representative piece or pieces from each of the five acts of Romeo and Juliet.

Each class was responsible for adapting, performing, and staging its assigned act. The eighth graders greatly impressed their Middle School audience when they presented their Romeo and Juliet on May 2! The staging, including use of the Middle Commons’ overhead windows as balconies, and the expert delivery of Shakespeare’s lines by multiple Juliets and Romeos and other characters in unison was simply outstanding!

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Seven Hills Sixth Grade is for the Birds!

The second annual Sixth Grade Celebration of Birds took place on April 21, culminating the students’ intensive bird studies. Parents joined in the celebration, which featured activities in science, math, language arts, and the fine arts. Prekindergartners joined the celebration, too, as sixth graders read books to them and ornithologist Dr. Dave Russell (at right) gave the young birders-to-be close encounters with some feathered friends.

At left, ornithologist Dr. Jill Russell banded birds from the Middle School Bird Garden.

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A look at what’s happening at Lotspeich Congratulations to the Girl Scouts in Troup 41353 for their outstanding efforts for HART (Homeless Animal Rescue Team) of Cincinnati! The girls made 164 knottedfleece cat toys during a recent meeting.

According to the Enquirer, “In addition to cat toys, the girls baked more than 12 dozen dog biscuits and filled three shopping bags with hand-braided pull toys for dogs.” The Scouts include fourth and fifth graders Emma Carroll, Katie Francis, Emma Heines, Maddie Heinlen, Ty’Asia Hudlin, Allegra Huelsman, Rachel Michelman, Delaney Ragusa, Annabel Stanley, Grace Wharton, and Audrey Wilson.

Congratulations to the fifth grade winners of Pi Day medals for memorizing digits of pi (and thank you to the Moms who volunteered to be pied by the winners): Natalie Choo won the Gold Medal for 162 digits of pi, and she pied Je Choo. Soren Smail won the Silver Medal with 161 digits of pi, and she pied Joanna Huey. Sidney White won the Bronze Medal with 127 digits of pi, and she pied Liz Rising. Photos at right.

Fifth graders celebrated their annual Pi Day on March 14 (3.14) with pi and pie activities, including songs, skits, math problem solving involving circumferrence, area and volume, and the memorization of digits of pi with winners pieing volunteer Moms.

Photos of the visit of children’s book illustrator Floyd Cooper are on page 3.

Mrs. Martin said, “The kindergarten kids worked to raise money to buy a goat (a kid) through the Heifer Project Kids-2-Kids Project. They sold ‘pots of gold’ (Rolo gold foil wrapped candy) for $1 each to the Lotspeich community. $120 is needed to purchase one goat. The children made and posted posters around the school to advertise their project, made labels for the paper pots, and filled the pots with ‘gold’ candy. They sold the ‘Pots of Gold’ March 10-11. This year the children made $871.90 and purchased seven goats and honeybees (in honor of the Stinger).”

The successful second grade bake sale enabling the children to make a significant contribution to relief efforts in Japan.

Fourth graders worked with Environmental Science students, exploring different environmental issues. See page 7.

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Third graders traveled to Columbus to visit COSI (the Center of Science and Industry)! The children had a fun-filled, action-packed day that included highwire unicycle rides, rat basketball, an electrostacitc generator, deconstructing computers, and much more.

Go to the Lotspeich Corner on our website for many more photos and movies of Lotspeich events and activities.

Ms. Feeney said, “Second graders performed Japanese and Chinese songs, as well as a folktale play from Japan and China for their families during Japan and China Day. Following the perfor-

mance, students tried their hand at origami—the art of paper folding—during Origami Workshop, rotating through stations in the classrooms and creating various origami creations.”

Miss Braun told us, “The first graders had a wonderful time preparing and performing the First Grade Spring Show. The title for our show this year was “E – I – E – I – OOPS” and the show told the story of a cow that just wouldn’t moo! We had such fun learning our lines and all the new songs and then getting our costumes ready. We first performed the show for our friends at The New England Club Retirement Community. The next day we

entertained our families and all of our classmates at Lotspeich, especially our fifth grade buddies. Each performance received rave reviews!”

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The kindergarten teachers told us about the Moonwalk in Kindergarten. “The excitement was evident on every face as the kindergarteners dressed up in their special ‘space suits,’ wore moonwalk boots, and donned their decorated ‘helmets’ and badges with NASA logos. It was time to blast off to the moon on our imagination space shuttle! On the moon’s uneven surface (made with cushions covered with white sheets), there were craters to walk through and moon rocks to collect. There was more to look forward to after this wonderful journey—astronaut ice cream to eat! Many proclaimed this to be the ‘bestest’ day ever in kindergarten!!”

Learning histor y by doing histor y This includes gathering natural materials to make dyebaths; using the wool from sheared sheep to card, dye, spin, and weave; forging a dinner triangle with a blacksmith; learning colonial “amusements� and lessons; preparing a colonial meal over a fire; and much more!

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Just a few of the Fourth Grade Living Biographies. Do you recognize Anne Frank, C.J. Walker, Mark Twain, Abe Lincoln, Mozart, and Shel Silverstein?

Fourth graders had a great time exploring Ohio history together at Camp Kern.

The Third Grade Living History Museum featured student exhibits of Cincinnati landmarks and businesses.

We love Grandpersons Days at Seven Hills! Here are just a few of our special guests at Lotspeich on April 29. Many more photos can be found at Lotspeich Corner.

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A look at what’s happening at Doherty

The third grade students enjoyed learning about animals in the Australian tale SNAP by Marcia Vaughn.

Mrs. Burton said, “We concluded our Cultural Connections Week with a field trip to Northern Kentucky University’s Theater Department. Our host for the day was Mike King. Mr. King has close ties to Doherty and Seven Hills because his children are Doherty alums and current Seven Hills students in the Middle and Upper School.

While at NKU, our students saw performances by the Broadway Chorus Troupe, This Side Up Comedy Improv Troupe, and the Musical Theater Tour Group. After the performances, our students toured the theater spaces with an NKU theatre student tour guide. Our tour included the stage of Corbett Theatre, the scene shop, the dressing rooms, the Rosemary Stauss Theatre, the costume shop and storage, and the control booth of the Corbett Theatre.”

Mrs. MacKenzie said, “Unit II third graders spent a wonderful morning touring the Cincinnati City Building. The students loved hearing stories filled with history, told from the artwork in the stained glass windows throughout the building. The students also received a special treat when they were invited by Councilwoman Amy Murray to visit her private office. They page 18

And, the winner of Cincinnati’s Cutest Sports Event Award is ....

Doher ty PreK’s Annual Mini Pig Marathon!

Go to the Doherty Corner on our website for many more photos.

ended their visit doing a mock Council meeting in Council chambers.

What a great experience!”

Kindness Retreat

By Fifth Grader Lucy Callard

A few weeks ago the fifth graders from both campuses participated in a Friendship Retreat in the Hillsdale Commons. The retreat was put on by Youth Frontiers. The retreat was full of fun activities so the future sixth graders would meet each other.

One of the favorite activities was the Name Train: everyone would sit in a large circle and four of the older students would start in the middle. The Upper School students who were helping with the retreat would start a ‘train’ by walking around the circle and asking other students what their name was. If you were asked what your name was, you would stand up, do the name dance, and join on the back of the train. We also did activities that taught us how to deal with bullying. We learned the process of ICI when we see someone being bullied. This process is to Interrupt the bully, Compliment the victim, and Invite the victim of the bullying away.

This retreat was fun for everyone because of all the dancing and the friendship activities. I think all of the fifth graders had a total blast on this retreat.

Mrs. Burton said, “Fifth grader Jack Brinker and his father Jay kicked off Cultural Connections Week in Unit III with a presentation about their travels to Australia. They shared their knowledge of the geography, landmarks, unusual animals, and even the ‘funny’ words in Australia. Did you know that Rice Crispies are Rice Bubbles in Australia? Or that that the expression, Oy! No Worries! (Hey! No problem!), actually came from Down Under? It was wonderful having Jack and Jay Brinker take us on a virtual tour of Australia!” page 19

As part of the new curricular unit, Design Your Own Country, second graders created their second original country—Republic of Susho—and introduced it to their parents in a special presentation. The students sang the country’s national anthem and described in detail many aspects of the new country.

Mrs. Lawrence told us about the pre-K’s trip to Australia:

Unit I spend a lovely, non-rainy day at the Cincinnati Zoo. “The animals were out and active and the tulips were just beautiful,”said Mrs. MacKenzie.

Mrs. Wolfe said, “Floyd Cooper, author and illustrator extraordinaire, mesmerized the Doherty students and faculty with his amazing reductive illustration technique!

He also delighted everyone when he turned students’ scribbles into recognizable illustrations.” Annual visits to Doherty and Lotspeich by major children’s book illustrators and authors are funded by Grandparent Annual Giving. Thank you, Grandparents! More photos are on page 3.

As part of their study of Cincinnati history, Unit II third graders went on a field trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center for a Rotunda tour including a rare visit to the President’s office.

Volunteers needed!

The Development Office needs volunteers to help generate support for The Seven Hills Fund, our Annual Giving Program.

Volunteers are the backbone of The Seven Hills Fund. They do important work to help raise money, impacting every aspect of the School and providing the margin of excellence that enriches our students’ experience.

To volunteer or to receive additional information, please contact Meridith Oberklein Spille ’95, Director of Annual Giving, at 513-527-1306 or meridith. spille@7hills.org.

Thank you in advance for your support and dedication! page 20

“In March the pre-k students planned for, packed for, and took a trip across the globe to Australia, the focus of Doherty’s Cultural Connections week this year. The children discussed the climate in Australia, then prepared accordingly while packing for their trip. They applied for passports, sent their information to the office, and picked up their passports when they had been processed. All of these preparations culminated with a ‘Flight to Australia.’ The children arrived at the airport with their luggage, passport, and identification, and they went through customs, security, and were greeted at the plane by their pilot, co-pilot, and full flight crew. They were seated and able to look out their windows in the fully equipped fuselage. Their flight included a rundown of safety information, an in-flight snack, and movie.

“After a long flight we landed in Australia, and we spent the next week taking in the sights, sounds, and customs of all six states on the continent. We put on our sun hats to protect our skin from the strong sun, and we wore them daily on the playground while in Australia. Each class focused in on one state and prepared an exhibit for all of the other classes to enjoy. We took part in an Aboriginal Dance class, visited an Australian art museum with Mrs. Wolke (Mrs. Dawson’s Mom as curator), and took in the real sights with a wonderful slide show of Mrs. Rubin’s trip to Australia this past summer. On our last day on the continent, we attended a sheep shearing (see page 16), and witnessed how those warm sweaters and blankets begin.

“After our wonderful week of travel, we were all ready to come home to Doherty School and share all of the exciting things about our trip with all of our friends and family.”

Many photos of the pre-K airplane trip are at Doherty Corner Mrs. Wolfe said, “Fancy Nancy’s Mom visited the Doherty library for a very special party in honor of her daughter, who unfortunately had to go to school and couldn’t visit with our pre-K today. The students were awed by her fancy dress and accessories and everyone had a wonderful time dressing up, reading Fancy Nancy books and, of course, sharing very fancy food.” The highly popular Fancy Nancy books are written by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser.