Sycamore School Magazine / Summer 2022

INSIDE:

Sycamore at MarineLab | 2022 Graduation Speeches | Sycamore Retirements | PreK: Preserving the Amazon

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SYC AMORE

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2022

VOLUME 16

NUMBER 1

VOLUME 16.1

CONTENTS O N T H E CO V E R

HEAD OF SCHOOL Diane Borgmann BOARD OF TRUSTEES Catherine Pangan President HEAD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD Jennifer Williams HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL Tiffany Stahl HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL Katie Baker DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Duane Emery DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Holly Lee CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Patrick Juday SYCAMORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Pam Cross President

SCHOOL HISTORY

6 IN HIS WORDS

Tom Wilson

STUDENT FEATURE

8 SNORKELING, SUN, AND SCIENCE RETIREMENT

12 DAVID FINK

PE Teacher and Coach

16 PAULA FRENCH

PE and Health Teacher

GRADUATION SPEECHES

26 SHIVANI DESAI SOPHIE LIANG JUSTIN PUNO

Ashlyn Singh is a rising 4th Grader at Sycamore, and her parents couldn’t be prouder. Being at Sycamore is part of a longer journey for the family. Roger and Pam Singh emigrated from a small village within India’s Punjab state in 2000, making a choice to come and live in the United States.

“Like many other families, we very much wanted to pursue the ‘American dream,’ Roger says. “We saw it as a path to a better life for them and our family.”

One of the things they enjoy most about coming here, according to Roger, is the delight he sees in the opportunities afforded to Ashlyn, and the way she is able to pursue so many different interests.

“She has a real passion for the arts,” Roger says of his daughter. Ashlyn particularly enjoys music, dance and acting. Musically, she listens to pop music and plays the piano. True to her Indian roots, she also likes listening to Punjabi music and watching Hindi movies. “This has given her a diverse and well-rounded outlook on life, having a deep understanding of her heritage, as well as an appreciation of her life here in Indianapolis,” explains Roger.

While she enjoys music, Ashlyn’s heart is set on pursuing an acting career in the future, and she is already preparing for this. She is putting a lot of time and effort into developing her acting skills and stagecraft. Ashlyn recently performed in a live stage show of “The Little Mermaid” in Carmel, taking on the role of a princess. At the moment, her ultimate ambition is to be part of a Disney Channel show, and she hopes that all of her hard work and effort will pay off. At home, Ashlyn loves helping her mom in the kitchen and has learned to cook many different traditional Punjabi dishes, with a particular love of her mom’s homemade Indian Roti.

Roger explained how Ashlyn has flourished at school, saying, “It has been wonderful to see how she has developed and grown during her time at Sycamore School, and it’s clear that she has learned so much by being in such a wonderfully enriching environment.”

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SYCAMORE VACCINE CLINIC PRE-K: PRESERVING THE AMAZON THEATRE: BEHIND THE CURTAIN LIFE AT SYCAMORE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

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35 HIGH SCHOOL CHOICES FOR

CLASS OF 2022

36 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES 38 ALUMNI BIRTHS AND NUPTIALS 39 SYCAMORE NEWS

COLLEGE CHOICES FOR CLASS OF 2018

Find Out More

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

sycamoreschool.org

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FROM T HE HE A D OF S CH OO L

Dear Sycamore Friends, WE’VE ENDED ANOTHER COVID YEAR! Remember last summer when things were looking really hopeful? Then came Delta. Then Omicron. We couldn’t relax our vigilance. But this time we had a year’s worth of experience.

We made decisions about the 2021-2022 academic year with the same priority as before: keep kids in school, in person. Although when Omicron arrived, we had more cases at Sycamore than we had during the entire pandemic up to that time, we were still able to be successful. We had to quarantine a few kids and a few classes of our kids too young to be

SUMMER 2022

vaccinated. Those days in quarantine, however, were few, and we were able to continue robust learning experiences for our kids, albeit with various COVID practices in place.

Everyone in the building was masked all year until March 15 — exactly two years from the start of the pandemic—when we moved to a “masks optional” environment. Some continued to mask; some happily shed their masks; the choices of families were all respected. We relaxed social distancing guidelines and began mixing grade levels again, all to great instructional advantage. We maintained our eating in classrooms and other areas and do not plan to return to the cafeteria until next year. In this edition of the magazine, you will read about our good fortune of being able to host three vaccine clinics at Sycamore. 100% of the adults here are vaccinated and a very high percentage of kids are. Not surprisingly, it was a former Sycamore parent who brought us this much appreciated opportunity!

You will have the opportunity to read stories in this edition about some amazing alumni and other strong Sycamore supporters. As you read about our alums, notice the commonalities: passion, drive, strong character, and intelligence. I am reminded of a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

You’ll also get to read the wise words of our newest alumni in the words of our 8th Grade graduation speakers. Our student speakers are always the highlight of our graduation

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ceremony, and we love sharing their words with you. You’ll also get to see high school choices of this year’s graduates and college choices of Sycamore alumni graduating from high school this year.

At Sycamore, an important part of learning occurs during field experiences. We know that kids learn well by doing and by learning from practicing professionals; that’s why we incorporate field trips at every level here at Sycamore. Enjoy reading about highlights from one of our Middle School field trips.

In January, I announced my plans to retire in June 2023. The Sycamore Board of Trustees has already begun an international search for the next Head of School at Sycamore, so it’s an exciting time. An incoming head will find a school that is stable in every way and ripe for the next level of greatness.

We have learned lots these last two years! We remain strong, and our mission is secure.

Our nimbleness has been tested to the limit, and we have weathered that storm.

Now there’s no stopping us! Thanks for your support as you have persevered with our community. This community brings me boundless joy!

Onward and upward!

Best regards,

Diane Borgmann Head of School

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

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SYCAMORE HISTORY

In His Words Founding Parent Tom Wilson Recalls the First Four Years of Sycamore

Tom Wilson was one of the early believers and supporters of Sycamore School.

An entrepreneur who founded a successful company that made dance clothes for competitive dancers, his two children attended Sycamore in its very first year of operation —1985.

He remembers the struggles of those early years, why they stuck to their belief Sycamore was worth it, and how he and his family knew it was the right thing to be doing— in his words.

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t’s early spring in 1985. Andy and Erin, our children, were in 4th and 2nd grades, respectively, in the Perry Township school system. Both were in the Perry IDEA gifted education program; it replaced regular classroom activity two half-days per week with a more advanced curriculum. I don’t think any of us were particularly happy with Andy and Erin’s education so far; it felt unchallenging. The “straw that broke the back” in my confidence in the school system was when Andy’s daily teacher told us “Andy’s intelligence is his cross to bear.” Emily (my wife) and I wanted better for our kids but struggled for alternatives, as we weren’t at an economic level where opportunities make themselves available.

Jessica Welch, Andy and Erin’s IDEA teacher, called and introduced to Emily a plan to open a new school focused exclusively on gifted children and their education. She felt strongly this new school would provide well for both Andy and Erin. Mrs. Welch was heading the curriculum development as well as moving to the new school. Mrs. Welch as Andy and Erin’s IDEA teacher, Mrs. Welch, had already made an important impact on them, and we respected her work and thoughts.

I was driving north on the westside of I-465 when my car phone rang. Remember car phones—the prelude to today’s cellular world? It was Emily calling. “I’ve just made a decision! Jessica Welch called me to tell me about a new school. We’re sending Andy and Erin there.”

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Erin, Tom, and Tulips

“Okay,” I replied. “What’s it called?”

“No idea,” said Emily.

“Where is it?”

“Don’t know that yet either, and I don’t know how much it will cost, but Mrs. Welch is involved and she’s adamant Andy and Erin should go there.”

That’s the short version of our introduction

S YC A MO R E HI S TO RY

to Sycamore School. We performed due diligence to the degree we could, recognizing the struggles our children were facing in their current schooling.

Worst case seemed that the school would fail, and we’d need to look for something else. So, we dove in feet first.

The early years of Sycamore were nothing like life in the school today. Starting a school is a huge undertaking, and daily stresses abounded. We weren’t involved in the initial planning and development; our first big exposure was attending the first school picnic — a couple weeks before the school opened. While there were plenty of picnic baskets and lots of fun, most of the time was spent in the hard physical work of getting an old, tired building and grounds ready for opening day. The school found a ready resource — parents! I think virtually all parents chipped in with time (and money) to get things rolling.

Sycamore in the 1985-89 era had to be an adventure for the students; it certainly was for parents. Many investments were made by all. Teachers and staff worked long hours with low pay; parents provided loads of support, and students coped with (and delighted in) the quirky and often problematic building and trailers used for facilities.

A determined entrepreneurial energy drove the school to succeed in those early years.

Some were fearful of it, some thrived in it, and some pushed the school to success in spite of it. I joined the Board in fall 1986 as Treasurer. That year, and for several to follow, board members often brought their personal checkbooks to monthly meetings in case the event the we needed a boost to make payroll or cover some other big expense. My financial resources being quite limited, I contributed my time and work as a volunteer; it was often a second full-time job.

The first several years of Sycamore were tenuous financially, and I think the SSA (Sycamore School Association) was really what got the school over the hump in the beginning. Most schools have a PTA; while the SSA is one, it operated on an entirely different level. I liken them to the SEAL teams in the Navy—elite performers who did what it took to get the job done. The money they raised, and hours put in

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

supporting Sycamore were instrumental in the school surviving and thriving. I still have fond memories of fundraising yellow trash bags and hundreds of poinsettias; Andy and Erin recall the Noble Romans lunch pizzas.

Once Andy and Erin started attending Sycamore, their attitudes and enthusiasm for learning took a significant turn for the better. They thrived in school and overall seemed happier with life. Each appreciated the different educational challenge, the variety, and being valued as an important individual. Andy was one of the four students in the first graduating class in 1989; Erin followed in the class of 1991.

Sycamore School matured rapidly from its 1985 beginning; it had to in order to survive. The entrepreneurial spirit gave way to a more structured management, better defined curriculum, more stable finances, and a new facility - while the excitement that a new family and student feels walking into Sycamore today is different, one key item hasn’t changed— the joy and eagerness for teaching and learning that truly is a hallmark of the school.

What was important 35 years ago that’s the same today? Sycamore proved that premier resources and facilities aren’t a requirement for an outstanding education (though they are nice and certainly make things easier). Everyone wants to be at school to teach, to learn. There’s a daily undercurrent of an ethos for everyone to “do good work and be somebody!” to paraphrase a quote by Andy Griffith talking to his son Opie.

What was important 35 years ago that’s the same today?

Sycamore proved that premier resources and facilities aren’t a requirement for an outstanding education.

TOM WILSON

I’ve always been of an entrepreneurial mindset, and perhaps that’s why I was able to make a contribution at the beginning of Sycamore. I left corporate life in 1988 to start our business (Motionwear, a clothing manufacturer specializing in apparel for dancers and gymnasts). I left Motionwear in 2007, probably because I burned the candle too bright for too many years and needed a change. Nowadays I spend my time enjoying and restoring old MG sports cars from the 1932-49 era; Emily continues as a textile artist/hobbyist. Andy is a computer scientist in New Mexico, and Erin is a professional textile artist. Life is pretty good. •

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S T U DEN T S T U DY

SNORKELING, SUN, AND SCIENCE

KEY LARGO M ARINEL AB

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S T U DEN T S T U DY

Sycamore teacher David Schuth wades into the waters with students at MarineLab

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t is quite the undertaking: travel with nearly 50 middle schoolers on two separate trips to Florida to a marine lab. Help them study underwater life.

Make sure they get enough to eat and sleep. Do it all 1,000 miles from home and for the first time in two years because of COVID.

“MarineLab’s curriculum aligns perfectly with Sycamore’s Oceanography and Marine Biology unit,” Lowell says, talking about the benefits of the program and trip. “In Florida, students take part in labs, field work, and snorkeling excursions and begin to better appreciate the importance of protecting our oceans and wetlands.”

Sycamore science teacher Brad Lowell did just that in December, 2021, leading staff and parent volunteers as they took two groups of students from 6th and 7th Grade in two separate weeks. The winter trip was a welcome break from the Indiana weather and also served as an important part of the Sycamore curriculum. Students arrive at the coastal campus in Key Largo to learn about and explored the seagrass, mangrove, and coral reef habitats with mask, fins, and snorkel.

This trip is part of Sycamore’s commitment to ensure students learn through experience.

“That is a thread that runs through all grades at Sycamore, beginning with Preschool,” says Anna Freije, Sycamore Science and Event Coordinator. “Building these opportunities into Sycamore’s curriculum, and allowing the trips each year to grow as the students grow helps our students to appreciate the value of getting out into the world and experiencing it first-hand. The MarineLab trip has the ability to stretch our students as they try out activities that may be new to them and experience environments that they may have never been in before. Sycamore’s commitment to experiential learning is one of the many things that makes this school so wonderful,” Freije says.

The MarineLab core curriculum focuses on ecology and incorporates two hands-on labs. Each snorkel trip is preceded by a discussion (either in the classroom or on the boat) about the habitat and what type of animal life the students can be on the lookout for during their snorkel. The students snorkel each habitat to observe firsthand what they learned during the discussion.

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

Learning about marine animals, marine biology, mollusks, etc. made me not only enjoy the trip but I was amazed by it.

Swimming through the aquamarine-colored tides knowing what type of coral it was or how these fish in the depths of saltwater stay hydrated with fresh water fascinated me.

Seeing a fish’s habitat and its routine is amazing.”

LAILA GHONEIM SYCAMORE 6TH GRADER

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S T U DEN T S T U DY

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7th Graders Annalisa Schuth and Riva Jain do a “rock shake” to see what they creatures they can uncover.

MarineLab sits on Largo Sound in Key Largo, Florida, one hour south of Miami.

Their main building houses dorm rooms and labs for the MarineLab education program, offices, restrooms, maintenance shop and gift shop. In addition, they have a cafeteria and a floating conference center containing two classrooms with internet access. MarineLab is the education arm of Marine Resources Development Foundation (MRDF), founded in 1970 in the US Virgin Islands.

After years of conducting research and developing underwater research stations and the technology for living and working in the sea, MRDF’s founder Ian Koblick expanded MRDF’s activities to include education.

In 1984, the MarineLab Undersea Classroom was put in the turning basin of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

The first snorkeling MarineLab program was offered in 1985. In 1986, Art Mitchell, a former Palm Beach County science teacher, took over the MarineLab program and created the curriculum and the programs that built attendance over the course of five years from a few hundred to a few thousand students per year. Art retired in 2007. Education Director Sarah Egner now works to adapt to numerous regulatory changes and keep the curriculum up to date with the most current scientific research.

After many years at a different facility— the Sea Camp at Key West — Lowell says they needed to explore other options.

“Through no fault of their own, Sea Camp had experienced quite a bit of damage from the hammerings of several hurricanes,” he says. “Their boats were washed away, preventing any trips to the reef or sites away from the camp. Their cafeteria and primary housing facility were destroyed.”

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“My favorite dives while on the trip are absolutely at the reef,” Lowell says.

“Weather permitting, we visit many different reef sites. Every trip to the reef is exciting. You never know what you’ll encounter: sea turtles, lion fish, barracuda, parrot fish, or even this year, a 12’ hammerhead shark. The reef is a great place for students to see first-hand the interconnectedness of species.”

Several reef stops also show the negative impacts of human interaction and of a changing climate. The location provides access to both the coral reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Florida Bay in Everglades National Park.

Participants do not need to know how to snorkel or how to swim well prior to their visit. The staff carefully orient each student to the water and to the use of snorkeling equipment in every MarineLab program.

At the lab, safety is a priority. The first thing instructors do with any student group is to administer a swim test to find the student’s comfort level in the water; there is no required time limit or stroke to swim the 100 feet. If a student appears uncomfortable at all, instructors pay special attention to that student while in the water. Non-swimming students are provided with extra buoyancy and extra supervision. MarineLab works with unsure swimmers, through patience and care, to become reasonably confident snorkelers After their “swim test,” students are shown the proper technique for fitting and using their snorkel gear. They are instructed to use the “HHH” snorkeling position: head, hips, and heels at the waterline to avoid touching the coral.

“I love spending this time with the kids away from the building, away from their homes, and away from the distractions of their electronics,” Lowell says. “I wish I could be on every boat and experience every ‘wow’ moment with them. Observing their personal growth is my favorite part of the trip. You take a boat full of kids three miles away from shore in a perfectly functioning boat and tell them to jump out not knowing what they may encounter.

S T U DEN T S T U DY

WHAT DO SYCAMORE STUDENTS STUDY? CORAL REEF

Shani Momodu examines a sea urchin during an offshore lab excursion.

I enjoy seeing their curiosity and sense of adventure grow with each trip straying further and further away, and snorkeling deeper and deeper from the comfort of the boat.”

In the mangroves, students get to interact with the ocean’s nursery.

They find all sorts of juvenile species along with an occasional surprise visitor like a manatee or dolphin. On one of the outings, Seventh Graders investigate their underwater finds.

students visit Nest Key where they participate in seine net fishing. By working together they can collect a number of key indicator species.

Absence of certain species might indicate a problem within the ecosystem. This is also a great activity to get a first hand look at sea horses and crabs. Venturing further inland, students get to “enjoy” the smell and feel of sulfur rich plant decay in knee-deep mud.

“My favorite part was definitely Nest Key,” 6th Grader Bea Hyatt says. “From hiking on the white muddy banks to catching huge crabs and sea horses, it was by far my favorite part.”

“The trip to MarineLab helped me understand more about our reading because I could actually see the things we were learning about,” 6th Grader Sawyer Jackson says.

“We got to see how starfish digest their prey, how the leaves of black mangroves are salty, got to sift through the sands on Nest Key to find shells and snap pictures of the manatee in the lagoon.”

“This trip really solidifies what we discuss in class,” says Lowell.

“More importantly it is a great bonding experience away from home with their classmates.” •

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

The coral reef ecology program is a part of MarineLab’s core curriculum. Corals are the key component to the Florida Keys’ marine ecosystem. Students discuss coral reef ecology with a MarineLab instructor before boarding the boats to snorkel the coral reefs off of Key Largo.

MANGROVE Mangrove forests make up the majority of the natural coastal habitat in the Florida Keys and provide a variety of ecosystem services. With an understanding of how to properly snorkel in the shallow Florida Bay waters and of what animals to be looking for, students join a MarineLab instructor to snorkel amongst the mangrove roots. The instructor collects samples of representative animals that he or she brings back to the boat for observation and discussion.

SEAGRASS The Seagrass Ecology program is a part of MarineLab’s core curriculum. Seagrass beds make up the largest benthic habitat in the waters surrounding the Florida Keys. The seagrasses provide a vital habitat and are a key component to the overall Florida Keys marine ecosystem.

Knowing what to look for is key to spotting the seagrass critters. The students have a classroom discussion before snorkeling so that they can fully enjoy and appreciate the unique seagrass beds. During the snorkel, a MarineLab instructor is in the water to assist snorkelers, point out underwater life and collect seagrass and algae samples for students to see once back on the boat.

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R E T IR EM EN T The many great teachers are what make Sycamore a unique environment for learning. Their compassion, dedication, and experience is evident every school day. As the 2021-22 school year came to an end, a number of teachers who have made indelible imprints upon hundreds of Sycamore students during their years at the school have decided to head to the next chapter in their lives, both professional and personal. In addition to the next few pages of feature stories and the group photo from the farewell reception, we also recognize Sycamore’s longtime Consulting Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Jim Gange, who is retiring to Hawaii after sending his four children through Sycamore and working with us since 1993.

David Fink

LONE STAR BOY HEADS BACK HOME TO TEXAS Teacher and Coach Leaves Sycamore After 27 Years

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R E T IR EM EN T

D

avid Fink has coached a lot of sports at Sycamore. He has taught a lot of students the fundamentals of flag football, dodge ball, and dancing. A walk with him in the halls of Sycamore means hearing multiple “Hey, Coach Fink’’ calls from students of all grades.

A physical education teacher for 27 years at Sycamore, Fink also has been the Ahletic Director, and, at various times, the basketball, track, soccer, and cross country coach. He’s won Indianapolis Independent School League conference championships in both basketball and cross country.

That’s quite the athletics and teaching footprint for the guy, talking of shoes, who owns more tennis shoes than you and me and ten friends combined.

“Coach Fink was one of the key influences in my development, both personally and scholastically,” Ajay Antony says. The 1999 graduate of Sycamore has gone on to a career as a physician and says he still carries some of the lessons learned from Fink because of what Antony says is an ability to know and understand each student. “We were able to grow and mature in the Sycamore system.

Later in life, I see that development as key to my current role as a physician.”

Fink, born in Texas, was a three-sport letterman in high school and went on to be a Division I swimmer in college at Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State). He was one year out of college when he answered an ad in the newspaper; Sycamore School needed a PE teacher. He had been an in-school suspension supervisor at a high school in Missouri for a year before following his then-college girlfriend to Indiana. “I was interviewed by Mrs. Burney and Mrs. Borgmann for the EC and MS Boy’s PE Teacher,” Fink remembers. “I didn’t hear back and then got a call about a week before school was starting. So 27 years later, here we are.”

Serving dual roles for the school, Fink has been a teacher and also a coach from day one at Sycamore. He has most likely taught every student who has come through Sycamore since 1995. “I still talk to former students a lot and actually teach some of their children now. The thing I will miss the most about

Q&A WITH MARISSA ARGUS WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN? It’s so much fun! Kindergarten is a year of so much growth.

The lightbulb effect happens with reading, the kids become so much more independent, and they are thirsty for knowledge about the world around them.

WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT TEACHING AT SYCAMORE? The people, the people, the people! Leaving the individuals here is a very hard thing for me. I’ll also miss doing handstands, pretending we are skunks, dropping pretend asteroids on Mercury and making a mess, and making Chapati and chai in the science lab.

HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET HIRED FOR THE SYCAMORE JOB? WHY SYCAMORE? I came to Sycamore for professional development on gifted students when I was teaching at the IPS/Butler Lab School.

I remember being so impressed with the curriculum. Jennifer Hendry talked about the Marcy Cook math tiles and problem solving the kids were doing, Jamie MacDougall spoke about the amazing things happening with Middle School and the literary world. I actually approached Diane afterward to tell her what an incredible school she had.

HOW HAS SYCAMORE CHANGED IN YOUR TIME HERE? Teachers are constantly innovating. Ruth Moll created a ruins building experience for Kindergarten after we added Peru to our world cultures unit, and it is one of the most enjoyable days of the year. Chrissy Sweigart has created a robust art program where she features artists with unique and diverse backgrounds. Brad Lowell built a solar powered rover this year.

WHAT IS IT THAT SETS SYCAMORE APART FROM OTHER SCHOOLS? The community. The culture of togetherness with students, families, and teachers is wonderful, and the innovative curriculum and experiences the kids have is like no other school I have been to.

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week and then just play games,” he remembers. “We started daily practices and added a track and field team my first year, then added tennis and cross country soon after that. Later we added baseball, softball, and golf.”

Though he coached soccer, track, and cross country during his tenure at Sycamore, his first love was coaching basketball. “We would also play in a spring league and go to team camps during the summer.” He says his 2005 Boys Basketball team made it to the league championship game for the first time, a harbinger of good times ahead. “The 2007-08 school year might have been the best ever for boys’ athletics at Sycamore. We started the year off with a championship in cross country and had an excellent basketball team that would have competed for the championship if not for a player suffering a broken ankle and another getting sick in the semi finals.

In the spring we won championships in both track and baseball.”

David Fink displays trophies from his 2021-22 basketball season.

Sycamore is the relationships that I have daily with students. To think that I have made life-long friends with kids that I taught just goes to show how special a place Sycamore is.”

One of those students was Ellie Sheffield (2008). He taught her for 12 years. “I was one of those kids where gym was always my favorite class. Coach Fink always had a way of making it fun. As a young student, having gym in the cafegymnatorium, he was goofy and fun and taught us all to love PE,” she says. “As a middle schooler, he challenged me to be the best athlete I could be, while also letting gym be a fun place to release energy.”

Fink notes how much athletics has changed in his time at Sycamore. “When I started, teams here would practice one time per

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“One all time memory that still amazes me is the 2012 girls track and field team.

We had a team with only 12 girls but everyone gave everything they had and most competed in four events at conference meet,” Fink says. Sycamore just missed winning the championship, finished in second, just four points from the title.

“Since track and field is where depth and having fresh runners in each event is so important , this might have been the most amazing Sycamore athletics feat ever, more than winning championships. Those girls had heart and determination.”

For the past three years, during basketball season, after finishing with teaching, he has headed to Westfield High School, where he has been a member of the boys basketball coaching staff. Fink is the head coach of the freshman team and a varsity assistant, in addition to coaching in the Westfield Basketball Academy youth program. Fink’s freshman team wrapped up the 2021-22 season with a perfect 23-0 record, earning both the county and conference championships. The Westfield Varsity Boys team won a sectional championship for the first time in school history.

R E T IR EM EN T

As he ends his final year at Sycamore, (he is headed back to his home state of Texas) Fink reflects on changes he has seen. “So many changes, the facilities have been the biggest change. I obviously loved when we built the gym because it opened up the opportunities for endless activities that I could add to the curriculum and for scheduling of classes in the Middle School.

If you can believe it, the space that is the Media Center now was the gym — a very tiny elementary gym with a stage and a divider that had to be opened up during lunch to fit all the lunch tables.”

“I have such great memories of coaching and teaching here at Sycamore. It really has provided me with some experiences that I will always remember.” He says he would not have been as successful at Sycamore if it was not for all the other PE teachers. “I learned so much from Paula French, Courtney Lickliter, Jennifer Frye, Bethany Robinson, Christina Epperson, and Amy Marschand.”

“Even though I have been at Sycamore for a long time, I can always notice what sets us apart from other schools both athletically and team-wise during competitions or just practice. The students at Sycamore have loads of determination.

I’ve always been blown away by this characteristic because it is not just a few students - it’s all of them. The other thing is the genuine care they have for their teammates. They want their friends to be as successful as they are and that makes it very easy to coach a team sport when you have that character trait in every player.”

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

“There has always been great leadership at Sycamore. Parents are a huge part of Sycamore success.” Fink singles out one person outside of school that helped him grow the athletics program, especially cross country and track. “Bob Saunders (the grandfather of Ellie Sheffield and her siblings) volunteered his time and expertise.

He was a former college coach at Marshall University and cared so much for the students’ success. He was a vital part of the championships we won in those sports.”

As a Middle School track athlete, Ellie Sheffield says Fink taught her how to hurdle and sparked a love for an event that she competed in from middle school to high school, and all the way through four years of college. “I can still remember one practice where we raced each other in the hurdles. He won and always pushed me to be better. He was always a supporter of the different events that I wanted to try.

Sycamore will not be the same without Coach Fink. But the memories of gym class and athletic events and the impact Coach had will live on through the hundreds of kids that passed through Sycamore during his tenure.”

“When Coach Fink arrived at Sycamore, our athletic program was fairly nonexistent,” Antony remembers. “Simply put, he made athletics relevant. It has been a joy to watch the athletic programs grow under his leadership,” he continues. “Ultimately, Coach Fink is a mentor I value to this day.

His legacy is that of personal connections and program growth. He leaves a footprint on our community that will be treasured long after his retirement.” •

I was one of those kids where gym was always my favorite class.

Coach Fink always had a way of making it fun.

As a young student, having gym in the cafegymnatorium, he was goofy and fun and taught us all to love PE. ELLIE SHEFFIELD CLASS OF 2008

Farewell Reception: (l-r) Julie Thornburg, Doris Fulwider, Paula French, Marissa Argus, Taylor Bowen, David Fink, Emilie Molter, and Kenzie McGaffey

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R E T IR EM EN T

Paula French WRAPS UP HER TEACHING CAREER WITH A NOTE OF THANKFULNESS

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s she wrapped up her 40th year of teaching, Sycamore’s Paula French retires from her classroom—the gym—and make a new home in the small town of Mount Dora, Florida about 40 minutes northwest of Orlando. Before she heads south, we wanted to catch up with her and get her perspective on her seven years at the school, how it was different from her many years as a public school teacher, and what she will remember most about being a teacher at Sycamore.

After 27 years as a Physical Education and Health teacher at Greencastle High School and another four years at Southmont Junior and Senior High School near Crawfordsville, French had been teaching Human Growth and Development to K-8 Grade students through the Social Health Association of Indiana when a former Sycamore parent and a co-worker, Shelley Ross, inquired whether French might be interested in getting back into the classroom.

French brought to Sycamore her compassion, enthusiasm, and years of “seen-itall” experiences.

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After 40 years in classroom, she is headed to retirement in Florida

“Shelley knew I had been a PE and Health teacher before teaching with her. Shelley also knew that Sycamore was looking to hire a PE teacher and told me about the position. I applied, was interviewed on a Wednesday, hired on Friday, and started the following Monday at the beginning of Staff Week! Talk about a whirlwind,” she says.

French concedes she had given up any hope that she would be able to teach in a school again. “I was so thrilled that Sycamore School hired me to teach both Early

R E T IR EM EN T

Childhood and Middle School PE classes. With 33 years of teaching experience and my Master’s, I didn’t think I would ever have the opportunity to teach within a school system again.”

She brought with her not only a teaching background but also a successful record as a coach. French coached volleyball, basketball, softball, track & field, and golf while at Southmont Jr./Sr. High School. Her volleyball team won two Sectionals and a Regional in her three years at the helm of that program, including a 27-3 record when they won the Regional title.

Of the differences between her other stops and Sycamore, French says the respect for her experience and the trust from the leadership were two of the best things about being at the school.

“It’s like night and day (at Sycamore) from teaching in public schools for 31 years,” she says. “It’s so nice as a teacher not to be micromanaged. At Sycamore, I’ve always been treated as a professional. It is so motivating. We are always encouraged to try new ideas and activities in our classrooms.” She also says the parents are a key part of the culture at Sycamore.

“Our parents are so supportive and engaged in their children’s education. I appreciate how parents are willing to help anytime they are needed. Their support has been overwhelming to me.”

Q&A WITH DORIS FULWIDER HOW HAS SYCAMORE CHANGED IN YOUR TIME HERE? One thought that bubbles up through reflection is the growth that Sycamore’s Lower School math program has made. Every year I am more and more in awe of how our students are able to make sense of the math they are doing and how much they love doing it!

“A great part of Sycamore is that everyone is willing to help each other in their time of need whether it’s someone needing to borrow 20 clipboards, to bring in cardboard for the Innovation Lab, or helping if a personal crisis arises. I will always be forever grateful for everyone who has helped to lighten my load.”

WHERE WERE YOU TEACHING BEFORE YOU WERE AT SYCAMORE? WHY DID YOU MAKE A CHANGE TO COME HERE? I taught first and second grade in Crawfordsville’s Accelerated and Enriched program and loved it there. I took a few years off to homeschool my daughter because she was diving full-time at the National Training Center downtown. When I was ready to return to teaching, I knew about Sycamore and saw that there was an opening. I applied and had an interview with Glenna Lykens. We connected immediately. For the next interview round, I came back to Sycamore and “tried out” for the position by teaching a lesson to a class of second graders.

We solved some challenging area puzzles together.

The kids were so engaged, and I had an absolute blast! It was then that I knew Sycamore was the right place for me!

Paula’s destination is a town that she calls a “mom and pop town with many shops and eateries, but no franchises” and says it is only two hours from the ocean. Though she is retiring from teaching, French says she is not done working. “I would enjoy working with animals in some way, maybe being a dog walker or sitter, or working with therapy animals.”

WHAT MAKES SYCAMORE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS? The two things that I think set Sycamore apart from other schools is first the genuine sense of community— family, really—and the fact that we all share the same mission—to inspire our gifted learners.

“As I think about this new season of my life, I am very excited for all the new possibilities,” she says, before reflecting on her time at Sycamore. “Not only have I made new professional relationships with Sycamore staff, I have made friendships as well. I am truly humbled by all my blessings over my tenure at Sycamore. It has been a true blessing to be here.” •

WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT TEACHING AT SYCAMORE? What I will miss most about Sycamore is the relationships I have developed with my students and their families. Knowing and working closely with all of them has made me a better teacher and a better person.

As for the students, she loves the talent they exhibit, both in the PE arena and in other classes. “When I see a performance, watch a competition, or walk the halls looking at all their amazing projects covering the walls, I forget that these aren’t high school students.

It’s inspiring to see all the amazing gifts these students are going to be offering to our world.”

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

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VACCINE CL INIC

Sycamore Calls the Shots Former Sycamore parent helps Sycamore host a vaccine clinic for students, teachers, and adults.

BY: MARY O’MALLEY

I have always loved volunteering. I love seeing the staff at work as they actively care for and know kids. I love talking to the kids. In the particular scenario of the vaccine clinic, I loved being a part of Sycamore’s steps toward recovery.

It felt hopeful.”

JESSICA LEE SYCAMORE PARENT

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T

he call came “out of the blue.”

On an otherwise ordinary school day in early November, Diane Borgmann, Head of School, answered her desk phone. It was a voice from the past, a past parent’s voice to be exact: Cynthia Hacherl, a local pharmacist and mother of two alumni, was calling to inquire about the school’s interest in a vaccine clinic.

“I wanted to host a vaccine clinic,” explained Mrs. Borgmann, “and we had checked with the Indiana Department of Health. It looked unlikely that we could get one scheduled here anytime soon through that source. Cynthia told me that being a pharmacist, she could get vaccines and make herself available to do a clinic at Sycamore. Of course, I said YES! We got busy planning it--lots of logistics were involved, including a preparatory Zoom meeting for the parents. We were able to make it happen.”

It all came together very quickly. Maria Truesdale, Nurse Ryan Kandel, several other staff, and a group of parent volunteers made the three clinic days run efficiently.

The first dose of the Pfizer Vaccine was administered on November 15 to students ages 5-11 and to those in the 12 and older

group who needed their second shot; the second dose was given on December 6, in compliance with the CDC guidelines.

The clinic was open to staff, parents, and other family members as well. The flu vaccine and the booster were also available, giving many children and adults a shot in each arm. Sycamore parents Dr. Christina Santangelo-Salerno, Dr. Areeba Kara, and Dr. Cory Martinson aided in the vaccinations and were available to assist in case of any potential side effects.

Fortunately, there were no problems.

Teachers brought the children class by class to the makeshift clinic, also known as the Scott A. Jones Board Room, and they lined up for their turn. There were other volunteers that entertained the children in the Quest Room for the 15 minute post-injection waiting period.

Cynthia said, “There were a few tears and a lot of apprehension from the younger children, but the process went smoothly.

Of course, it is not any fun to get a shot, but maybe being with your friends makes it a little easier. Mrs. Borgmann asked me if I had ever vaccinated that many people in a day. My answer was a definitive NO. The best line of the day came from a student who was very nervous and tearyeyed. As soon as it was over, she said, ‘I worried for that?’”

LOWER S CH O O L

Second Grader Jacob Brown relayed, “It felt like a flu shot; once it happened, it was over with. It didn’t hurt that much and felt good to get the first shot. I can have playdates at my friends’ houses, and I’m not as likely to get COVID.” Furthermore, Cynthia shared, “When the vaccine was introduced, I saw a way to help in bringing the vaccine to the community.

I began vaccinating in the pharmacy as well as mobile vaccinating in businesses, retirement communities, a residential school, and in-home visits to elderly patients. However, there is much ‘vaccine hesitancy’ in the area, so I also encounter lots of misinformation and sometimes hostility to the vaccine, and I spend time explaining the benefits and encouraging vaccination. When it became available for all children ages 5-11, the CDC advised pharmacies to reach out to schools to offer clinics. I responded by calling all the school districts in the county, but none of them were interested. Several told me it was too controversial to bring vaccinations into the school, which was very discouraging.”

Nevertheless, there was nothing discouraging about the clinic days at Sycamore. Jane Hartsock, a professor of Medical Humanities at IUPUI, and mother of 5th Grader Nicholas, reflected on how historic this event was and compared it to pictures she has seen of children getting their polio shots, realizing that this is even more important since it is during a pandemic. As Director of Clinical Ethics at the Academic Health Center at IU, she emphasized, “Making sure that these kids are vaccinated is very important to me because I would like to see Riley Hospital empty of COVID cases this winter.”

Dr. Christina Santangelo-Salerno, a pediatrician for the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, and mother of 5th Grader Leo and 7th Grader Alessandro, explained the clinic as being monumental. “Sycamore is identifying needs outside of academics, carrying out its mission by responding to the needs of the whole child and the families. It is vital that these kids are not only in school but are also healthy in school. The administration makes good on its claim: All of the children are known and loved. This is a school of action.”

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

Go Ahead, Give It Another Shot The expression “go ahead, give it another shot” was not something Cynthia, her helpers, or our students and staff were expecting to put into action so soon.

On January 6, 2022, the CDC approved the booster shot to be administered five months after the second vaccination for children ages 12-15. Consequently, less than two weeks later, Sycamore held another vaccination day on January 19 to provide the booster to those students 12 and older along with more adult boosters and a few more vaccinations for younger children who had not yet been vaccinated. This was a more stoic group. They sat down, rolled up their sleeves, and got their immunizations.

“I felt enormous gratitude that our children have attended a school where everyone has banded together to keep them safe,” said Dr. Areeba Kara, IU Hospitalist and mother of 7th Grader Sameer. “Working alongside the other parents, Cynthia, and the staff volunteers brought such an uplifting sense of community and togetherness.

As a hospitalist, I have been caring for patients with COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. It has been a long road and sometimes dark. Helping with the vaccinations for the children felt that I was doing something that would actually change the course of the pandemic.

The kindness the children showed each other, their enthusiasm, and their bravery brought me joy that I will hold on to for a long time.”

Nurse Ryan concluded, “The thing about corny sayings is their resonating strength of message. I truly believe in the saying, ‘it takes a village,’ and the vaccine clinic was that saying in physical form. This event demonstrated the strength and dedication to the health, safety, and community of Sycamore.”

Sycamore extends its sincere gratitude to all those who were instrumental in the success of the first-ever COVID Vaccination Clinic, most notably Cynthia Hacherl, RPh, for graciously offering our community this opportunity. •

Jacob Brown: Post-vaccine happiness

THE NUMBERS 191 1ST OR 2ND

DOSE STUDENT COVID VACCINES

45 STUDENT

FLU SHOTS

21 STUDENT

COVID BOOSTERS

66 ADULT

COVID SHOTS

25 ADULT

FLU SHOTS

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PR E- K INDERG A R T EN A ND PHIL A N T HRO PY

Pre-K Students Support Amazon Rainforest Cause

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ith the study of the Amazon and the rainforest environment, Jane Leeds’s PreKindergarten class became concerned about the trees being cut down in the Amazon Rainforest. Leeds says they developed so much empathy for the plants, animals, and people of the Amazon that they wanted to do something to help. She says the kids continued to bring up the Amazon and the rainforest with her and explains they had two main concerns about the trees of the Amazon being cut down: – The animals are losing their homes and food sources.

– We are losing trees of the Amazon Rainforest that produce a large amount of the oxygen that our planet needs to stay healthy.

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Leeds researched organizations that focus on the plight of the rainforest and are working to help. They chose Amazon Conservation Association as their group because its mission seemed to align well with our students concerns.

As part of the project, students posted their finished “SAVE THE RAINFOREST!” posters around the school building. They also created a local fund to help and had the option to do an extra chore at home to earn money for the fund. The students collected the funds to make a donation as a class to the Amazon Conservation Association.

PR E- K INDERG A R T EN A ND PHIL A N T HRO PY

LEARNING ABOUT THE RAINFOREST: AMAZON INFO

Science teacher David Schuth introducing the game, “Pademic Legacy Season 1.”

THE AMAZON GIVES US UP TO 20% OF THE AIR WE BREATHE, STORES 25% OF THE WORLD’S WATER, AND STABILIZES THE EARTH’S CLIMATE. Tropical rainforests cover less than 3% of the planet, yet they are home to more than half our planet’s terrestrial animal species.

Rainforests add water to the atmosphere through the process of transpiration, by which plants release water from their leaves during photosynthesis.

Deforestation reduces the moisture released into the atmosphere, causing rainfall to decrease. This is why the loss of forests often leads to drought.

Due to the thickness of the canopy (the top branches and leaves of the trees), the Amazon floor is in permanent darkness.

In fact, it’s so thick that when it rains, it takes around ten minutes for the water to reach the ground!

Grace Takase displays her fundraising artwork

Leeds forwarded the donation to the American Conservation Association along with a class photo and a letter explaining the students’ Amazon Rainforest classroom experience.

Some of Amazon Conservation Association’s goals are to protect millions of acres of the last wild places left on the planet, empower local people and indigenous communities to become champions for nature, and put the latest in science and technology to work for conservation. The Mission is to unite science, innovation, and people to protect the western Amazon — the greatest wild forest. •

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

Because rainforests are so rich in biodiversity, they hold enormous potential for future discoveries. Compounds in rainforest plants are already used to treat malaria, heart disease, bronchitis, hypertension, rheumatism, diabetes, muscle tension, arthritis, glaucoma, dysentery, and tuberculosis, among other health problems.

A swath of rainforest the size of 40 football fields disappears each minute. According to Global Forest Watch, our planet loses tropical forestland equivalent to the size of Bangladesh every year.

Seventy percent of South America’s GDP is produced in areas that receive rainfall or water from the Amazon. The Amazon influences rainfall patterns as far away as the United States Cattle ranching accounts for roughly 70 percent of deforestation in the Amazon.

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T HE AT R E

Behind the Curtain Sycamore’s drama teacher, Courtney Corcoran, reflects on a successful performance of Shrek, Jr.

BY: COURTNEY CORCORAN

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s the house lights dim and a hush falls over the audience, students straighten shoulders, adjust costumes, take deep breaths, and get into place for the performance they’ve spent months perfecting. A crew member pulls weighted ropes, and the curtain swishes open, sending a tickle of a breeze whispering through the theater in the few quiet moments remaining before voices swell with song.

Theater is one of the few activities in which there is a place for everyone, and each role is pivotal to the success of a show. Without actors, there’s no need for sets, sound, costumes, and make-up. Without sets, sound, costumes, and make-up, the actors are merely people on a stage rather than characters making audiences suspend disbelief and enter a new world for a time.

During this year’s performance of Shrek, Jr., students in grades 5-8 who otherwise

T HE AT R E

may never have spoken to one another learned the craft of collaboration to pull off a spectacular show. I marveled at the students who emerged as leaders, taking charge of a new skill or craft.

Backstage, a flurry of activity kicks off as crew members dressed as ninjas take their places in the set-change-dance, just as the actors know their own choreography with sidelong glances to one another to keep steps in sync and as the nimble fingers of the tech and sound crew tap lightly on equipment. The precise timing of movement is key to a fantastic show.

Energy. Movement. Art. Being part of a show is life-changing, and being able to bring live theater to students at Sycamore is a gift. It brings so many ways for students to shine, gain confidence, and make new friends. Everyone involved in this year’s musical remains grateful for the transcendent experience unique to being one with a stage, even for just a short time.

I heard voices soar, saw students overcome adolescent self-consciousness and embody a character, and witnessed true compassion in the face of inevitable mistakes.

Magic.

•

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

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SYCAMORE HISTORY

Looking Back

at Sycamore’s Legendary Cafegymnatorium

Amy Marschand taught Physical Education classes at Sycamore beginning in 1991. During her time as a teacher, the current cafeteria also served as the gymnasium and auditorium. Hence the more colloquial name: cafegymnatorium.

Lunch tables pushed to the side for a basketball game. A small stage on one end of the room, with a storage area below that space. It was the epitome of a multipurpose room.

Marschand, who would become the Head of Middle School until 2004, had a great perspective of just what the space was: a gathering place for many in a space for few.

Middle School assembly, circa 2009

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my Marschand recalls her years at Sycamore and the cafegymnatorium as the cornerstone for many of the activities in the school.

Marschand, who taught Physical Education, coached, and eventually became Head of Middle School, was also integral in the history of Sycamore Athletics. We asked her to write about the history of the multipurpose space and what she remembers about Sycamore unique use of that part of the school.

The multipurpose space was the only large space for gatherings. It was truly a huge limitation, but we made the best of it because it was all we had. On rainy days the roof sometimes leaked, and we had trash cans set up to collect the water dripping to the floor. Physical education classes were often being preempted by programs in the “gym.” During this

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time, the growing band program quickly outgrew the stage for performances and band director Paula Fair had to find another venue to host all band concerts.

We frequently had to use the cafeteria side lined with folding cafeteria tables for physical education classes when the “gym” was in use during the day. PE students and after-school athletes were frequently setting up chairs or taking them down so that we could have class or practice. For every home game, athletes had to set up chairs for the team benches and fans for every event. It was a true victory and safety benefit when pads were added on the stage section of the gym which protruded into the playing court.

Girls sports at Sycamore began when I arrived in the fall of 1992. I am proud to say that after just five short years, we were able to build a winning tradition in

S YC A MO R E HI S TO RY

volleyball followed by championships in basketball as well. All this happened as we practiced and competed in the cafegymnatorium. Our facility had advantages for volleyball. The Sycamore girls learned to pass and how to control the ball practicing in a space with a really low ceiling. For home volleyball games, the official had to stand on the stage to officiate the game. Opposing teams who came to Sycamore’s cafegymnatorium were continually hitting the ceiling on serves and passes. It was comical to watch the ball ricochet from the ceiling directly to the floor. Advantage Sycamore. Opposing teams soon declined to play in the cafegymnatorium due to our fabulous home court advantage. On the flip side, Sycamore athletes were at a disadvantage when we played in a larger space. Our athletes did not know you could run more

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2021

than two feet off the court to hit an errant ball from a teammate.

Basketball was even more fun. With such a small floor on our home court, there was no way to spread out an offense creating a crowded area near the basket. When we traveled to compete at a regulation gym, we sometimes had Sycamore players shooting from almost half court because half court in the cafegymnatorium was closer to the basket than a current three point shot. It was a true learning experience to try to teach spacing on a large floor.

I like to think that the Sycamore athletes outsmarted other opponents who were more athletically inclined. We made the very most of what we had at the time. Best of all, we had fun and were successful.

I like to think that the Sycamore athletes outsmarted other opponents who were more athletically inclined. We made the very most of what we had at the time. Best of all, we had fun and were successful.” •

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202 2 G R A DUAT IO N

Graduation Speeches At the 2022 Sycamore School commencement, three 8th Grade graduates were chosen to give a speech to parents, teachers, and friends in the audience. In addition, three students were chosen to give speeches during the 8th Grade Honor Convocation held the day before graduation. Here are excerpts from each of those speeches.

GRADUATION SPEECH

SHIVANI DESAI Congratulations to all of us here today: We made it! Through all of the science labs, the research modules in language arts, the art of note taking in history, and the daily grind in math, we successfully navigated the Sycamore path. It is bittersweet. Part of me does not want this to end while another part is excited to start new. I can’t contain the excitement; I want to roll my car windows down and sing the lyrics of a Taylor Swift song with pure joy.

“But I keep cruising. Can’t stop, won’t stop moving. It’s like I got this music in my mind, saying it’s gonna be alright.”

Certainly, none of us want to shake off Sycamore. But her lyrics echo each of our paths as we have overcome so many challenges and learned to keep moving forward. Importantly, during this process, we had the unending support from our parents, family, coaches, friends, and our teachers. This whole Sycamore community grounded our aspirations, reminded us to soar, and helped us to translate our talents into a long list of accolades.

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2. When we were in awe at using a 3D printer with Mr. Lowell 3. Coaches Fink and French, for staying calm with us while we behaved like a circus show in PE 4. The anxiety-provoking court cases of 8th Grade history with Mr. Young 5. The discussions dissecting the depths of literature with Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. Corcoran.

6. Trying to rush through math tests to be able to get to those challenging bonus problems provided by Mr. Keith and Mrs. Miltenberger 7. Rehearsing and feeling the nerves for band concerts directed by Ms. Johnson and Mr. Buchholz 8. Profe’s limitless perseverance to help teach all of us that triptongos are illegal in Spanish Adding more fuel to this fire, beyond the school commitment, teachers showed their deep dedication even after school for our further enrichment with activities such as: 1. Highly competitive math team and Mathcounts hosted by Mr. Tsometimes three times a week! And that’s not counting the thousands of contest and challenge problems he made for us over the past few years

First, and foremost, I want to recognize the incredible teachers and one of our major pillars at Sycamore. Reflecting on the past, I am in awe at what we have learned, accomplished, developed, and experienced through their efforts. They have passed on their knowledge and wisdom to each student. A few notables include:

2. Mrs. Simpson’s victorious debate team and her dedication as highlighted by hosting debate tournaments on Saturdays

1. The cadaver dissection with Mr. Schuth and Dr. Wendel in the seventh grade where many of us felt faint

4. Ms. Mihm and Mrs. Cummings’s Spelling Bee initiatives and their national recognition

3. Mr. Keith’s blood and sweat to help Sycamore students rank nationally in VEX.

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5. Mr. Young supervising Academic Bowl and Mr. Schuth, the Science Bowl 6. Mrs. Corcoran directing our first school play this year 7. Planning school events in Student Leadership Council with Mrs. Molter and Mrs. Hayden 8. The wide breadth of after school sports available to us over the years—from tennis to track to volleyball to basketball!

Many of us have shared extreme anxiety directly facing these rigorous academic challenges. An example of this discipline is further highlighted by some more words again from Taylor Swift that are relevant to Mr. Keith: “I’ve got a blank space, and I’ll write your name.”

Well, maybe not so much. Rather than help put our names in the upper right corner because we forgot to write it during the 5th Grade, Mr. Keith would take a point off of our assignments as a policy.

We learned that every detail matters in academics. We will also cherish the daily routine with our teachers. Things such as: 1. The daily hallway nods and chatter with Mr. Young 2. Translating the lyrics of Bachata en Fukuoka—say that 5 times real fast— with Profe 3. And, finally, this list cannot be complete without reminding all of us of Mr. Schuth and his random humming during class, especially while we are doing a lab, and trying to build a third class lever.

The second pillar in our journey stems from our parents and family. First, thank you for investing in us - I am sure the post-tax income could have been spent for many other comforts. But, you trusted us with those hard-worked dollars and for that we will be eternally grateful. We hope to make you proud. You have given us love

and bonds that anchor us and give us the confidence to build our unique and wonderful identities. You have taught the meaning of right and wrong when we were younger and patience as we got older. The path was not always so smooth, of course.

I am reminded of yet another Taylor Swift song when I think of my own parents.

Words I often heard, especially as we turned older into Middle School, were: “You need to calm down // you’re being too loud” And now, to the final pillar: my classmates and friends. I remember how wide-eyed and nervous we were in 5th Grade compared to the, then, 8th Graders.

And now, reaching the top of the totem pole during 8th Grade felt great; we were the bosses.

We all mean a great deal to each other, and we have grown with each other and helped each other jump through so many hurdles.

The best representation of our relationship as a class was the paper chain we constructed in the 7th Grade. Each link of the paper chain was built from a small strip of loose-leaf paper that was glued onto another link. Each link had a signature of one person in our class, and the links were connected to one another, creating a circle chain. Like the chain, we will always be connected.

Despite the multitude of challenges that we have faced together over the past few years, the one common thread we all shared was the unlimited opportunities provided to us by the Sycamore community. They have left our doors wide open and the sky truly is the limit for all of us! All of our potential is infinite and we have many people to thank.

With that in mind, I want to close with some fabulous words from Grammywinning artist Eminem: You better lose yourself in the music, the moment // You own it, you better never let it go // You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow // This opportunity comes once in a lifetime. You better.

8TH GRADE HONORS CONVOCATION SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS

Kaitlyn Park I’m not here to complain about the nerve-racking tests and the numerous hours of sleep and watching Netflix I have sacrificed just to see Mr. Schuth hand me back my test with a spectacular 78% on it while simultaneously giving the much needed comment, “Yikes, Park”, I must admit, I will miss Sycamore.

Kaia Starnino In 2015, a young girl came to Sycamore.

It was her 2nd Grade year. Although she had switched schools three times in five years, she had trouble making friends. But when she came to Sycamore, she learned what it was like to really be accepted. She learned how to make friends and slowly began to realize that people aren’t so scary. The people there were truly welcoming. Although our story at Sycamore has come to an end, we will never forget our time here. After all, “life brings tears, smiles, and memories. The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories last forever.”

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SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

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202 1 G R A DUAT IO N SPEECHE S

GRADUATION SPEECH

SOPHIE LIANG As I sat down to write a speech, after hours of thinking, the magnificent, profound idea that came to mind was: “Writing a graduation speech is no joke.”

I mean seriously, this stuff is hard.

Jampacking ten years of my life into mere minutes seemed like an impossible task.

So, I tried to pinpoint my favorite thing about Sycamore.

Shockingly enough, it wasn’t begging Mr. Schuth for extra credit when we collectively flunked his first physics tests; it wasn’t getting a good grade on that math test I spent all night studying for.

It wasn’t even the exceptional education I received here at Sycamore.

Instead, it was our relationships and memories. The connections we have made with each other, and the experiences, good and bad, that we have shared. Over our years here at Sycamore, our class has bonded and grown. There were some special moments that accelerated our grade from acquaintanceship to friendship.

With each of these moments also came a lesson.

Lesson #1: Sometimes you need to break things to build things. Literally. If you’re confused, let me backtrack a bit. Imagine 42 prepubescent, crazy kids, about to go on their very first entire-grade plane ride to the balmy, beautiful Florida Keys.

Naturally, this slightly out-of-hand group drew many strange looks from onlookers

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at the airport. This still didn’t discourage us, however, from having the absolute time of our lives from the moment that we took off to the moment that our bus arrived on MarineLab grounds. For the next five days, we would create fantastic memories together. We played volleyball in the courtyard, saw many manatees, fought to get off the boats as fast as possible just to snag a shower, ran into some near-death experiences with jellyfish when someone agitated the ground with his flippers (I won’t name any names, Wesley), and had delicious food, which, to this day, I’m not sure whether or not was actually good, or whether we were just incredibly hungry.

For those five days in paradise, it felt that any barriers that kept our class separate had been broken down.

Lesson #2: Build your friendships like a paper chain. Our 7th Grade year was what I would like to call the “era of confinement” due to our being in the same room for the entire year. It’s safe to say that, from a proximity standpoint, our grade became much closer. It was during this time that a paper chain began to form in the band room cohort. With paper, scissors, and glue, link by link, our chain grew longer. What began as a fun pastime for just a few eventually grew into a class-wide phenomenon; soon enough, all of us were taking part in the paper chain. Whenever our precious chain broke, a collective gasp would be heard, quickly followed by chain medics armed with glue, scissors, and even more paper, ready to put the chain back together again. That chain was like our class’s friendship. All of us,

202 1 G R A DUAT IO N SPEECHE S

SPEECH EXCERPT

Conner Kacena-Merrell

like the links in a chain, connect with each other to form what is our grade’s bond. Our teachers, while they may not be graduating with us, are just as much a part of our family as anyone else. Without their support, without them lifting us up when times were tough, we would never have arrived where we are today.

Lesson #3: Walk up, don’t stand, on escalators. For three days on our class trip, we immersed ourselves in the history of our nation in Washington DC, and had fun while doing it. We had just arrived in Washington and were on our way out of the airport to meet our driver Curt at his bus. It was then, as we stood there on an escalator leading us to the exit, that we received some advice from Profe Fitzsimmons. “Those who stand on escalators wait for life to come to them.

Those who walk up escalators take life by the horns.” While seemingly just a joke, these words rang quite true for me. So, as we journey into high school, I encourage you all to seize every opportunity that comes at you, and never stop running up life’s many escalators.

Lesson #4: Sing like nobody’s listening.

For any parents or teachers who have been on class trips with us, you probably know that “Sweet Caroline” is a staple of our class’s singing repertoire. At every campfire, every dance, every trip, you can hear our class belting “Sweet Caroline” at the top of our lungs. Sure, our singing definitely isn’t perfect, but it’s each individual voice, good or bad, that makes our song that much sweeter.

Yes, it is a rare event for me to sing at the top of my lungs, and not worry about what people think of me, or imagine embarrassing stories may be spread the next day. Still, this safe environment that Sycamore offers has taught me to just be myself regardless of what others think.

High school is a stressful environment, and it can be a judgmental one too, but, for the sake of your own happiness, I recommend that you do the following: No matter what other people say, stay true to who you are.

Just keep on dancing like nobody’s watching, and belting “Sweet Caroline” like nobody’s listening.

None of these lessons would have even been possible without our teachers. Thank you all for supporting us throughout our Sycamore journey.

I’d like to extend many thanks to our parents. Thank you for supporting us through thick and thin, and playing a very smart move by enrolling us here at Sycamore. And finally, to the class of 2022. I will miss laughing with you and singing with you, crying with you and hurting with you. I will miss all of your unapologetic opinions and honesty. While the teachers may not miss it, I will miss our chatter in between classes, the way that we say thank you, the trips that we went on. But most of all, I will miss all of you. Winnie the Pooh once said that “a day without laughter is a day wasted.”

Well, thanks to you guys, I haven’t had any wasted days.

Middle School at Sycamore is the epitome of a wildfire. Your first few months of middle school are calm and peaceful and everybody is easing into the increased freedoms that come along with being an “old kid”. And then homework starts ramping up, responsibilities increase, and eventually you are putting out the daily homework fires. Sixth grade continues and now you are in the groove of Middle School. In the middle of the year you take a trip to Marine Lab and get to see all of what you learned in Mr. Lowell’s marine biology class. And then 7th grade comes in, igniting a raging backdraft.

You have math tests every 2 weeks with multiple 15 line proofs, 250 point science tests, and Spanish tests over things you didn’t even know in English. You have learned more than you thought possible but also you wish that you could save at least some of your mental capacity for other things besides the minute details of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

And then, COVID-19 arrived in Indiana. I missed school, my teachers, and my friends. I would like to thank each and every one of the teachers for all of their help throughout the years.

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202 2 G R A DUAT IO N

GRADUATION SPEECH

Tecumseh during our last year of Lower School. However, it wasn’t until the 2nd Graders sang “Happy Trails’’ to us during our last Lower School meeting that I realized how much I had grown. During my first four years here, Sycamore transformed from an unknown place, filled with uncertainty and obstacles, to a place that I was proud to call my school.

I would like to thank my parents for guiding me all throughout my life. Even before I joined Sycamore in the 1st Grade, my parents had told me this school was going to be special, something new that I had never experienced before.It was only when I came to that first day of school in 2014 that I truly understood what they meant.

As I headed into Middle School, that same type of fear that had plagued me in first grade reappeared. There would be new teachers, new classes, and new difficulties.

But this time, something was different.

This time, I had my friends with me. Every step of the way. I was in a new hallway, I had a locker, and our class had gone from the oldest kids in the hall to the youngest.

Middle School presented new challenges, but also new opportunities.

JUSTIN PUNO

I distinctly remember that first morning.

My parents had held my hand all the way to the classroom as I wandered the halls of the place I would grow to call home for the next 8 years. I sat down at my desk, right beside the door, and was given a set of markers as my mom waved me goodbye.

Looking around the room, I could see characters from Charles Schulz’s Peanuts, a tell-tale sign I was in Mrs. Stewart’s classroom.

I examined the room. There was a stark contrast between the classroom I gazed at and the one of my old school in Greenwood. Pencils and markers were laid out at every table. Mrs. Stewart welcomed each kid with a bright smile.

And my desk even had my very own name on it. From that moment I knew, this was where I belonged.

That year, I changed from the “new kid” at school, someone scared to say hello, let alone do an activity with another classmate or play with them at recess, to being comfortable with everyone in my grade. Feeling like I belonged to a tight-knit community.

I remember the tile cards Mrs. Hendry gave us in first grade, Mrs. Fulwider’s large posters of Wumbers on the wall, learning cursive with Mrs. McKay, and going on our first overnight field trip to Camp

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I was entranced by the math team. I would spend hours upon hours in Mr. T’s room after school, and, although I grew my mathematical abilities, it was the connections made with other students and how I developed as a person that were the true benefits of the time and effort. I became engrossed in many activities, both athletic and academic.

These extracurriculars helped me to befriend many people and the bonds I made here will certainly outlast my time at Sycamore.

Like Lower School, Middle School created a multitude of amazing memories, especially on our overnight class trips. But it was not only our class trips that created memories. I will never forget Mr. Lowell’s fun and unique coding challenges with his Spheros, Mrs. Miltenberger’s panda stickers that she gave out after tests, and how Ms. Mihm always saved Halloween for a viewing of Ichabod Crane.

Theodore Geisel once said, “You will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” However, the truth is, I knew the value of the moments I had here at Sycamore. I just never believed that one day they would turn into memories.

Congratulations, Class of 2022. No matter where we go or what we do, the memories we share will always bring us back together again. •

L IFE AT S YC A MO R E

[1 ]

[2]

[4] [3 ]

[1] Emma Supino (K) shows her artwork [2] K/4th Grade Earth Day project [3] 4th Graders at Connor Prairie

[5 ]

[4] 8th Grade students in science [5] 1st Graders at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis [6] 1st Graders dig in the Outdoor Science Lab [7] 6th Grader Alex Cunningham on the basketball court

[7 ]

[6 ]

[5 ]

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Senior Spotlight 2022 [SYCAMORE CLASS OF 2018] Awards, Achievements, Scholarships NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS Lauren Caldwell Cathedral High School Naeman Khatib North Central High School Abby Ko Carmel High School Aisha Kokan University High School Irene Liang Carmel High School Jeremy Smart University High School Evelyn Tabor Culver Academies Karolena Zhou Carmel High School

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS Luke Nargang North Central High School Max Pfeffer University High School

NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED SCHOLARS

Rhea Bhatia Carmel High School Andrew Haggstrom North Central High School Emeline Papp North Central High School Anna Sanborn Brebeuf Jesuit Dylan Shelton Carmel High School

Lauren Caldwell Cathedral High School Aisha Kokan University High School RISING STARS OF INDIANA CLASS OF 2022

Lauren Caldwell Cathedral High School Aisha Kokan University High School

Miguel Spalding-Price Brebeuf Jesuit

NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL TOP 25+1 SENIORS

Mary Kate Tanselle Park Tudor

Andrew Haggstrom Maris Morgan

Olivia Williamson Phillips Exeter Academy

Emeline Papp

2022 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM CANDIDATES

Natalie Fiur University High School

Naeman Khatib CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL TOP SENIOR SCHOLARS

Aanchal Agarwal

Andrew Haggstrom North Central High School

Cassie Blaufuss

Emma Hermacinski Choate Rosemary Hall

Karolena Zhou

Aisha Kokan University High School

PARK TUDOR CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

Max Pfeffer University High School Candidacy is based on either outstanding performance on the ACT Assessment, the College Board SAT, or nomination by your Chief State School Officer or a partner recognition organization. Of the nearly 3.6 million high school seniors graduating this year, approximately 5,000 students receive this invitation.

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INDIANA ACADEMIC ALL STARS

Abby Ko

Mary Kate Tanselle CATHEDRAL CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

Lauren Caldwell

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Other Honors Emma Hermacinski Wins World Debate/Speaking Chamionship

Emma Hermacinski, a Choate Rosemary Hall graduate, recently placed first in Impromptu Speaking at the World Independent Debating and Public Speaking Championships. Emma qualified for the event by winning a tournament of advanced debaters back in November.

WIPDSC hosted over 150 debaters from countries as far-reaching as Australia, Botswana, and Lithuania.

In Impromptu Speaking, an event she had only done once before, speakers were required to give a 3-5 minute speech without notes after two minutes of preparation.

Park Tudor Graduate Wins Highest Honor Congratulations to Mary Kate Tanselle, who was awarded the Frank Meek Memorial Award, the highest honor Park Tudor can bestow on a student, for the highest degree of loyalty to Park Tudor and the community.

2 Seniors Win Band Honors North Central High School Band Honors: Naeman Khatib, ‘18 and Luke Nargang, ‘18 were selected to the Indiana All-State Band.

The Indiana All-State Band is an auditioned group of talented high school musicians from across the state.

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2021

Class of 2018 Alumna Follows Unique Path to Medicine After experiencing virtual learning during the spring of 2020, Jill Longoria made the decision to essentially homeschool herself and took classes through a variety of online sources as well as one in-person class at Covenant Christian. Throughout her “junior year,” Jill began taking online dual credit classes through Liberty University where she originally planned on attending college. In the fall of 2021, she enrolled in night classes to become an EMT.

not necessarily traditional, I would not change it for the world. I am beyond blessed that my family supported me each step of the way and encouraged me to fully take the reins on my life and shape it to be what I want it to be.”

Vishnu Iyer’s Paper Published in Research Journal A paper written by University High School senior Vishnu Iyer and his co-authors titled “Developing a Prediction Model for Periodontitis using Machine Learning” has been published in the Journal of Dental Research. This is the second paper Iyer has published.

Athletics Evelyn Tabor University of Rhode Island (Division 1) Women’s Rowing Team Andrew Haggstrom Top Scholar Athlete for a single sport North Central High School “I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and make a positive impact in people’s lives. In December of 2021, I finished my EMT course and passed the certifying exams,” Jill explains. “In January of 2022, I started working for a private Indy-based EMS company called Trans Care. Each day, I transport people with medical necessities which could be as simple as requiring continual oxygen therapy or something more complicated like internal bleeding or actively having a stroke. In the fall, I will be attending Lipscomb University in Nashville to major in biology on a pre-physician assistant track. I would love to merge my faith and love for health by incorporating medical missions work into my future.

Although my high school career was

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DE S T IN AT IO N S

CLASS OF 2018

College Destinations Aanchal Agarwal

University of California, Berkeley

Vishnu Iyer

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Indiana University

Eli Beheler

Tommy Kaplan

Emeline Papp

Purdue University

Purdue University

Rhea Bhatia

Naeman Khatib

Max Pfeffer

Purdue University Santa Clara University

Cassie Blaufuss

University of California, Davis

Lauren Caldwell

Georgia Institute of Technology

Elise Childress

Purdue University

Abigail Ko

The Juilliard School

Aisha Kokan

Harvard University

Irene Liang

Purdue University

Rose Hulman

Anna Sanborn Northeastern University

Maggie Seifert University of California, Santa Barbara

Dylan Shelton

Indiana University

Gabriella Longoria

University of South Florida

Catherine Conder

Lipscomb University

Jeremy Smart

Jill Longoria

Rochester Institute of Technology

Coastal Carolina University

Natalie Fiur

Purdue University

Josh France

Lipscomb University

Sydney Longoria Butler University

Miguel Spalding-Price Marian University

Evelyn Tabor

Michigan State University

Henley Lynch

Jessica Godfrey

University of Vermont

University of Rhode Island

Gabriel Mervis

Mary Kate Tanselle

University of California, Santa Barbara

Alyssa Grabhorn

Ball State University

Andrew Haggstrom Washington University

Emma Hermacinski Princeton University

Cooper Hovda

Purdue University

Davidson College

Northwestern University

Claire Moeller

Loick Trampont

University of Arizona

Purdue University

Maris Morgan

Olivia Williamson

Indiana University

Georgetown University

Weber Morse

Karolena Zhou

University of Richmond

Ria Narayanan Wake Forest University

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Luke Nargang

Carnegie Mellon University

DE S T IN AT IO N S

CLASS OF 2022

High School Destinations BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Shivani Desai Nick Kahi Ford Lee Addie Moeller Julia Watson Wesley Wong CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL Evelyn Cunningham Jennifer Hu Evelyn Murray Mukund Sagi Kaia Starnino NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Deke Kandel Kelsey Rehmel Lillian Tabor PARK TUDOR Hasini Ambaty Alex Cheng Kavya Devarapalli William Eaton Annamaria Ebersole Arnay Garhyan Garrett Hur Connor Kacena-Merrell Samuel Louis Rishi Nagireddy Kaitlyn Park Julius Payner Justin Puno

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2021

Leo Sniderman Riti Tandra Adam Wilkerson Owen Zhang UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL OF INDIANA Vidhatri Iyer Annabel Swearingen Benjamin Wei ZIONSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Liam Hendry SOUTH PUTNAM HIGH SCHOOL Sarah Hinchman CULVER MILITARY ACADEMIES Katie Kaplan Lily Martinson GREAT LAKES ADVENTIST ACADEMY (PONTIAC, MICHIGAN) Daniel Sajdak PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER (ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS) Sophie Liang CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL (WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT) Oscar Hyatt CAPE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL (CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE) Audrey Alberts

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Alumni News and Notes Rising Star Class of 2023 NORTH CENTRAL Hudson Pangan UNIVERSITY Benjamin Pollack-Milgate CARMEL Grace Yang PARK TUDOR Alyssa Effland Katie Hur Daniel Mukhin Nikita Mukhin *Each Indiana high school is invited to recognize up to 4 students currently in the 11th grade based on their academic achievement.

Park Tudor Cum Laude Society Katie Hur, junior

Academic Team (All Sycamore Alumni) Wins WRAL League Championship!

Alumnae win Indiana State History Day Park Tudor’s Emily Hackwelder, ‘21; Westfield’s Elizabeth Schuth, ‘21; and Sophie Farnum, ‘21, from North Central, won the state championship for National History Day in the Senior Group Performance Category. This is the third year in a row they have won first place in the state for Group Performance. They started as 7th graders in Ms. Mihm’s History Day elective and have had so much fun that they have continued working together continuing as an independent team even though they attend three different high schools.

Class of 2014 Alumna Makes History at Purdue

The University High School of Indiana Academic Team were the White River Academic League Champions. They finished their season with 28 wins and one loss, the best for any Trailblazer team. All 6 members are Sycamore Alumni. This was only the second time in team history that the Trailblazers qualified for league playoffs.

Congratulations to Marie Coutant ‘20 , Lukas Fiur ‘21, Natalie Fiur ‘18, Jeremy Smart ‘18, Karl Wang ‘19, and Mikey Cardwell ‘21.

Congratulations to Destiny White, Class of 2014, who is the first African American female to graduate from Purdue University’s School of Nuclear Engineering, where she was instrumental in starting a brand new organization: Minorities in Nuclear Engineering and Sciences (MINES), an organization intended to provide a means for public education regarding nuclear energy, policy, and technology. Destiny was a Stamps, Senator Richard Lugar and Center for Leadership Development Scholarship recipient.

Additionally, while at Purdue, Destiny was one of 42 seniors inducted into The Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board Class of 2022.

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Sycamore Alumni Panelist Give Insight into High School

Fourteen Sycamore alumni returned to their alma mater for the annual High School Alumni Panel. This event, which was also live streamed, was an informative panel discussion for Middle School students and their parents about high school preparedness as well as advantages and disadvantages of the local secondary schools. The alumni offered advice and gave specific recommendations to the Middle School audience.

BREBEUF Isabel Hargrove ‘19 Avi Maun ‘21

UNIVERSITY Aisha Kokan ‘18 Annabel Simpson ‘21

CATHEDRAL Charlotte Thompson ‘19 Drew Whelan ‘20

CARMEL Abby Ko ‘18 Colin Cabellon ‘21 Ava Cabellon ‘19

NORTH CENTRAL Andrew Haggstrom ‘18 Sophie Farnum ‘21

ZIONSVILLE Grace Hendry ‘19

PARK TUDOR Emaline Morse ‘20 Cooper Grabow ‘20

Owen Williams: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Owen Williams ‘19, a junior at Brownsburg High School, marched in the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Brownsburg High School Marching Band. Owen started playing trumpet in the Fourth Grade at Sycamore, continued in band and choir all through Middle School, and looked for a high school with a strong music program.

For the Macy’s Parade, several hundred bands from across the country apply every year. Each must submit a band resume, a list of staff and band accomplishments, a video performance, and three recommendations from band directors. BHS is one of 12 bands that performed in a 90-second spot highlighting the Sound of Brownsburg.

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202 1 G R A DUAT IO N

Alumni Births and Nuptials Recent Births

Recent Weddings

Matt Panfil ‘03 and his wife Amber Wolverton had their first child Ellio Ochs in July 2021 in Indianapolis.

Shelby Kroeger ‘03 and Mike Craven were married in San Diego, California in September 2021.

Amy Halsey Simcox ‘00, her husband Steve and their daughter Allie Grace welcomed their second child, a son, Isaac in October 2021 in Southlake, Texas.

Allison Kowlowitz ‘06 and Ben Taylor were married in Bloomington, Indiana in October 2021.

Isaac Simcox

Meaghan McInstosh (‘02) and Jason Farris were married in Savannah, Georgia in April, 2022. Longtime Sycamore friend, Erica Hagner Harrison (‘99) officiated the wedding.

Emma Crady ‘12 married Jonah Simon in April 2022 at the Tree of Life in Audubon Park of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ben Borgmann ‘00 and Jessie Parsons were married in May 2022 at Kennedy Estate in Lizton, Indiana.

Kristen Lange ‘07 and Barrett Fisher were married in May 2022 in Carlsbad, CA. Meredith McKay ‘06 married Nathan Lohrmann at Alumni Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington in May 2022. Her classmates Celia Ristow and Cakey Worthington served as bridesmaids.

Elise Hellman Bolling’ 02, her husband and their son welcomed their first daughter Chloe to their family in February 2022 in Northbrook, Illinois.

Matt Kroeger ‘03 and his wife Jackie had their first child, a daughter, Bryce, in May 2022 in Indianapolis.

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S YC A MO R E NEWS

In the Regional Scholastic Arts and Writing awards, Sycamore student writers have earned four awards, including three pieces advancing to the national competition. Students competed against almost 340,000 entries written by Indiana students through the twelfth grade.

Kindergarten Collects Messages from Around the World

Lily Grace Martinson Gold Key, “A Hidden Soul” (short story) Katie Kaplan Honorable Mention, “Never Again” (poetry) Sonali Guttikonda Gold Key, “Life of 5 Afghani” (poetry) Kaia Starnino Gold Key, “Children of the Sky” (short story)

In their world cultures unit, Kindergarten classes study seven different countries and their cultures. One of Kindergarten’s main goals is to help the students discover the many things that contribute to culture and develop an appreciation for the similarities and differences to their own. As part of this unit, Mrs. Argus’s class received mail from around the world!

This began as an invitation for families to help source valentines from all over the globe, and the mail kept pouring in. The class has received close to 45 valentines from places such as South Korea, Scotland, Uganda, Canada, and many states in the U.S.

Abraham Places in Top 10 in National “Arcademics” Cup

Sycamore Women Build Home with Habitat for Humanity

Congratulations to 5th Grader Izzy Abraham for placing 9th in the Correct in a Row leaderboard in the national Arcademics Cup. Over 10,000 students participated in the Cup this year.

For her efforts, Izzy won a certificate, character ribbon, and a $15 pizza e-gift card. Students logged in on their devices and raced cars using multiplication problems. Prizes were awarded in a number of categories such as Top Scores, Most Points, and Group Points.

A team of faculty and staff from Sycamore School were building not just a house, but also safety and stability in a summer project. The team of Sycamore women volunteered to help build not one, but two homes for deserving families as part of Habitat for Humanity’s program known as Women Build. They worked on June 15 and raised funds ahead of that date to purchase materials.

SYCAMOREnews

Writing Awards Announced

Sycamore Serves Sycamore parents and students with Sycamore Serves volunteered at Gleaners this spring.

Our group packed meals for over 5,600 people in one morning.

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SYCAMOREnews

MATH NEWS

Sycamore Wins Indiana Junior Quiz Bowl Sycamore won the championship at the Indiana State Junior Academic Quiz Bowl tournament this spring. The final match was an all-Sycamore affair. Sycamore A defeated Sycamore B in the final match to finish 8-0 on the day and win the title of Indiana Academic Quiz Bowl Champions.

Sycamore A (Alex Cheng, Sameer Zaidi, Nick Kahi, Sophie Liang, and Owen Zhang) was seeded 1st after six round-robin matches.

Sycamore B (Justin Puno, Annalisa Schuth, Sonali Guttikonda, Deke Kandel, and Steve Hackwelder) was seeded 2nd after their six round-robin matches. Congratulations to both teams on their 1st and 2nd place finishes!

Sycamore’s Quiz Bowl teams are coached by Middle School history teacher Tony Young.

Two Sycamore Students Earn Spots at Mathcounts National Competition; Lead Indiana to the Top 10 Nation Sycamore students had a great day at the Indiana State MATHCOUNTS competition held at Rose Hulman in March, as Kaitlyn Park led Sycamore with a 3rd place finish overall.

She was followed by Jennifer Hu in 4th place.

By finishing in the top 4, Kaitlyn and Jennifer earned two of the four spots on the National MATHCOUNTS Team for Indiana. Since two Sycamore students were on the team, Trent Tormoehlen, Sycamore’s coach, was named the coach for the team. The National MATHCOUNTS Competition was held in Washington D.C. on May 8, where Indiana placed 10th in the nation.

At the state competition, also placing high for Sycamore were Justin Puno in 7th place, Shayen Maun in 11th (top scoring 6th grader), Sophie Liang in 14th, Riti Tandra in 24th, and Alex Cheng in 30th. There was not an official team competition, but in an unofficial team round, the team of Justin, Katilyn, Jennifer and Shayen earned the 2nd highest score. They had the highest average score and would have been team State Champions under non-covid rules. Also competing for Sycamore were Leo Sniderman, Evan Ting, and Akhil Jois.

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BAND NEWS Sycamore Students Earn State Piano and Orchestra Honors In state music competition in February, Kaia Starnino and Kaitlyn Park participated in State Piano Solo & Ensemble, with each student receiving a Gold rating. Owen Zhang and Wesley Wong participated in State Band & Orchestra Solo and Ensemble. Wesley walked away with a perfect score, and both he and Owen earned Gold with distinction ratings.

Neal Narayanan participated in piano and also received a Gold rating!

“Noah (Buchholz) and I are so incredibly proud of all these students,” says Melissa Johnson, Sycamore Band Director. “They amaze us.”

Sycamore Collects Gold Medals at ISSMA Band Competition Sycamore had an outstanding showing at the ISSMA competition in January with 26 groups performing at Winds, Percussion, and Strings Solo & Ensemble. Of those events, 22 received Gold ratings and 4 received Silver ratings. At February’s Vocal and Piano Solo & Ensemble, Sycamore performed in 20 events and received a gold rating in every event.

SYCAMOREnews

8th Grade Teams Lead CyberEAGLES at State Robotics Championships A total of 10 CyberEAGLE VEX Robotics teams claimed the State Skills Championship and Excellence Awards as the seasoned 8th Grade crew led the competition in both driving and programming, which contributed to them winning Skills by 40 points with a total score of 238. Team members include Sophie Liang, Arnay Garhyan, Rishi Nagireddy, and Sarah Hinchman.

In addition, the 8th grade 10775C team finished a CyberEAGLES high of 3rd place in Teamwork and a strong 5th in Skills. Team members are Ben Wei, Mukund Sagi, Owen Zhang, and Garrett Hur. With their solid engineering notebook and team interview, 10775J claimed the Innovate Award and finished 9th in Skills despite struggling with their code. Members of this 8th Grade team are Vidhatri Iyer, Hasini Ambaty, Riti Tandra, and Kavya Devarapalli. 5th Grade CyberEAGLES squad, 10775W, finished strong in teamwork by winning 4th place. Team members include Suraj Shah, Kelvin Yan, Jesse-Robert Momodu, Parker Phillips, and Ethan Liu.

Three Math Sycamore Students Advance to AMC Nationals In November, Sycamore participated in the AMC 10 Math Competition, the premier high school math competition in the country. Sycamore had three students qualify for the AIME on the AMC 10B portion, led by 8th Grader Justin Puno with a score of 109.5. His score was the 2nd highest middle school score in the state. Audrey Alberts and Kaitlyn Park join Justin in qualifying for the AIME with scores of 102, becoming the top female finishers in Indiana. On the AMC 10A, Sycamore was led by 6th Grader Shayen Maun who scored 93. He was one of only two students in Indiana younger than 8th grade to score over 90 on either test. Puno joined Shayen on the Achievement Roll with a 91.5.

Sycamore alumni also performed well on the AMC 10. Sycamore grads Jonathan Yang (‘20, Carmel), Alex Lu (‘20, Park Tudor), and Athulya Ramkumar (‘20, Carmel) join Justin, Audrey, and Katilyn in qualifying for the AIME. Tanay Acharya (‘19, Carmel) and Grace Yang (‘19, Carmel) also qualified for the AIME through the AMC 12.

Ten CyberEAGLE VEX teams concluded their season at the World Robotics Championships in Dallas from May 7-12.

A total of five CyberEAGLE teams made division finals: 10775A, 10775C, 10775E, 10775J, and 10775R. 10775J and R both had great final runs to score 158 and finish in a tie for 2nd and 3rd in each of their divisions. 10775R also had season highs in driving and programming to finish 24th in the Worlds Skills competition.

Three teams earned special distinctions: 10775E claimed the Build Award, 10775J won the Judges Award, and10775X won the Inspire Award.

Summary of results: 10775A: Qualified 13th and finished 8th in division finals 10775C: Qualified 17th and finished 6th in division finals 10775E: Qualified 15th and finished 10th in division finals 10775J: Qualified 18th and finished in a tie for 2nd in division finals

10775K: Finished 40th in division 10775M: Finished 66th in division 10775P: Finished 52nd in division 10775R: Qualified 8th and finished in a tie for 3rd in division finals 10775W: Finished 34th in division 10775X: Finished 30th in division

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SYCAMOREnews

Borgmann Honored by Indianapolis Public Library The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation’s annual reception, Sycamore Head of School, Diane Borgmann, was honored as the outgoing Immediate Past Chair of the Board. IPL surprised Diane by secretly inviting Amor Coleman and Amor’s mom and grandmother, to the event.

Amor was presented with a $100 check for her Fly Kids Read effort (putting books with diverse characters in the hands of kids). “When Amor was in Kindergarten at Sycamore, I had connected her (and her efforts) with the Indianapolis Public Library, who gave recognition and support,” Borgmann says.

Book Drive Smashes Goal Kindergarten #bookdrive is complete with a total of 2,003 books collected, the most the Kindergarten book drive has ever donated to Crooked Creek Food Pantry. The books are for children who are there with their families to shop for food. Kids get to take a book each time! Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Sagi Earns 2nd in State in Spelling Bee Mukund Sagi competed in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in the Eskenazi Hall Auditorium on the IUPUI Campus. After studying a list of 4,000 potential words, Mukund came in second place in the contest! This segment of the competition determined the Indiana representative to the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington, D.C. this summer.

Butler Musicians Visit Sycamore Members of the Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Co-educational Service Sorority from Butler University visited Sycamore’s Early Childhood students during their regular music classes. The students from Butler explained how their instruments are constructed and exactly how they use the instruments to make sound. The undergraduates demonstrated their instrument’s unique sound qualities by playing familiar nursery rhyme songs (e.g. Hot Cross Buns, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). Each class was visited by two musicians, and the students were able to see, hear, and touch two different instruments.

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Quiz Bowl Team Earns Top 25 in the Nation; Zaidi Named to All-Star Squad Sycamore’s Quiz Bowl Team competed in the Championship Tournament sponsored by National Academic Quiz Tournament. At the Chicago competition, Sycamore finished 21st out of 144 schools with a combined record of 7-5 (including playoff rounds). Team members included Nick Kahi (8th), Deke Kandel (8th), Sameer Zaidi (7th), Sonali Guttikonda (7th), and Steve Hackwelder (7th). Sameer was selected as an All-Star for the tournament, finishing in the top 25 out of more than 600 competitors. This was a designation given only to six 7th graders.

SYCAMOREnews

Science Bowl Team Earns Spot at In-Person National Final in July Sycamore’s Science Bowl Team, consisting of Alex Cheng (8th), Connor Kacena-Merrell (8th), Sophie Liang (8th), Justin Puno (8th) and Owen Zhang (8th), have earned a spot in the top eight in-person national Science Bowl Finals.

They competed May 7 in the National Science Bowl Tournament via Zoom in an online format.

The competition included 47 middle school teams who had all won their Regional Science Bowl competitions in order to compete in the National competition. The Sycamore team survived four eliminations, as the tournament cut first from 47 teams to 32 teams, then to 24 teams, then to 16 teams, and then to 8 teams.

Sycamore’s team had earned 4th place in the Preliminary rounds, earning a place into the single elimination portion of the tournament.

Sycamore’s Science Bowl team is now part of the top eight teams in the nation and earned a berth in the in-person National Science Bowl Finals in Washington D.C. July 8 - July 12 where they will compete head-to-head with the top teams in the nation.

The 2022 Sycamore Science Bowl Team is coached by David Schuth.

To get to this stage of the tournament, Sycamore teams competed in the Indiana Regional Science Bowl Competition, a qualifier tournament for the National Science Bowl Competition. Sycamore Team 1 won 1st place overall.

Sycamore Team 2 ended the day in 7th place out of 19 school teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Team 2 members were Akhil Jois (7th), Shayen Maun (6th), Ewan Morris (6th), Evan Ting (6th), and Nathan Zhang (7th). The two teams are coached by David Schuth, Middle School Science Teacher.

Sycamore Grabs Three 1st Place, Two 2nd Places at National History Day Sycamore competed at the National History Day State contest at Marian University. History Day chooses only two students to represent Indiana at Nationals for each category.

Sycamore students who were in the top three are as follows: 1st Place Exhibit: Avery Neumeister* 3rd Place Exhibit: Pari Ponugoti 1st Place Documentary: Shayen Maun* 2nd Place Documentary: Anaya Mistry* 1st Place Website: Arya Desai* 2nd Place Website: Alex Bramhill* *National Qualifiers

Destination Imagination Teams Earn Trip to Global Finals Teams had great success at the Indiana State tournament with all four qualifying for the Global Finals in Kansas City in July.

THE 8TH GRADE TEAM - DIsastrous Cows finished first in their middle level technical challenge. Team members are: Lily Grace Martinson, Katie Kaplan, Leo Sniderman, and Hasini Ambaty. Team managers are Cory Martinson and Jennifer Sniderman.

THE 7TH GRADE TEAM - DIdeal Team - finished first in the middle level fine arts challenge.

Team members are Ava Deng, Steve Hackwelder, Matilda Kelly, Saanvi Nagireddy, and Annalisa Schuth. The team manager is Kathy Hackwelder.

The combined 6TH/7TH GRADE TEAM - The Flying Pigs Never DI - finished second in the middle level fine arts challenge. Team members are Victoria Byrne, Max Nargang, and Evan Ting. The team manager is Bob Nargang.

THE 5TH GRADE + 1 TEAM - The Talon Ted Quartet + 1 - finished first in the middle level scientific challenge. Team Members are Jane Ai, Prudy Peng, Leo Salerno, Alessandro Salerno and Albert Zhang. Team managers are Christina Salerno and Minrong Ai.

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

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SYCAMOREnews

Sycamore’s Geography, History, and Science Student Experts Qualify for Nationals History Bee Regional Finals

Nine From Sycamore Qualify for Nationals; 7th Grade Sweeps Top 3 Spots 7TH GRADE Annalisa Schuth finished 1st at the Regional, Alessandro Salerno finished 2nd, and Dominic Gasper finished 3rd in the History Bee and all qualified for Nationals.

6TH GRADE (pictured) Evan Ting finished 1st in the History Bee, Aditiya Bhatia finished 3rd and qualified for Nationals as did Gavin Sigua and Jeffrey Kirkendall.

5TH GRADE Albert Zhang finished 1st in the History Bee and Kelvin Yan finished 3rd, both qualifying for Nationals.

Geography Bee Regional Finals

7TH GRADE Alessandro Salerno finished 2nd in the Geography Bee and qualified for Nationals.

6TH GRADE Gavin Sigua finished 1st and Evan Ting finished 3rd in the Geography Bee and qualified for Nationals as did Jeffrey Kirkendall, who also competed in the Geography Bee. 6th Graders (from l to r) Jeffrey Kirkendall, Aditiya Bhatia, Evan Ting, Gavin Sigua

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5TH GRADE Albert Zhang finished 2nd in the Geography Bee and qualified for Nationals, while Leo Salerno competed, and his score also qualified for Nationals.

Science Bee Regional Finals

Akhil Jois finished 1st in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

Alessandro Salerno finished 2nd in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

Riva Jain finished 3rd in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

6TH GRADE Sawyer Jackson finished 1st in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

Evan Ting finished 2nd in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

Gavin Sigua finished 3rd in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

5TH GRADE Albert Zhang finished 1st in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

Kelvin Yan finished 2nd in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

Leo Salerno finished 3rd in the Science Bee and qualified for Nationals.

SYCAMOREnews

Sycamore Spanish Students Earn Gold on National Spanish Exam

NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL FINALISTS 95th percentile or higher 8TH GRADE Audrey Alberts - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 99th Evelyn Cunningham - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 99th Liam Hendry - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 99th Riti Tandra - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 98th Alex Cheng - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 96th Kaia Starnino - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 96th Oscar Hyatt - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 95th Connor Kacena-Merrell - (Level 2/10th Grade HS Spanish exam) - 95th

7TH GRADE Sophie Seifert - (Level 1/9th Grade HS Spanish exam, Outside Experience pool) - 98th Annalisa Schuth - (Level 1/9th Grade HS Spanish exam, Classroom Experience pool) 96th Seifert and Schuth a were two of the 20 Level 1 gold medalists from the state of Indiana

6TH GRADE Alex Cunningham - (Level 01/MS Spanish exam, Outside Experience pool) - 98th Pari Ponugoti - (Level 01/MS Spanish exam, Classroom Experience pool) - 96th Cole Welton - (Level 01/MS Spanish exam, Classroom Experience pool) - 95th (Cunningham, Welton, and Ponugoti were three of only four students who were Level 01 gold medalists from the state of Indiana.)

Find all the medal winners at sycamoreschool.org

Sycamore’s 6th-8th Grade Spell Bowl team competed in the 37th Annual Indiana Academic Spell Bowl State Finals and earned a state championship.

The team includes these members: Gavin Sigua, Akhil Jois, Ava Deng, Tess Eggeson, Sophie Liang, Riti Tandra, Mukund Sagi, Kaia Starnino, Hasini Ambaty, Aditya Bhatia, Alex Bramhill, Raza Hassan, Annabelle Swearingen.

SYCAMORE SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2022

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Sycamore Student Palindrome Poems

To celebrate some of the palindrome dates (12/11/21, 1/20/21, 2/20/22 etc…) that occurred during the school year, the 5th and 7th grade classes studied palindrome poems his year. When the poem means one thing when read from top to bottom, and means the exact opposite when read from bottom to top, that is a palindrome poem. Here are some student examples.

Small But Bright

The Environment

Are You a Villain?

I don’t make a difference Is not true that I have a voice in the world I believe that I am the smallest star Stop thinking that I can shine brighter by choice I never doubt that I am always looked past It’s false that I can be a shining shooting star It’s true that I can only be seen living in the darkness I will never agree that I am a speck of hope in the night sky I want to tell you that A star like me can be hidden by the clouds It’s false that I am the shooting star they wish on It could be true that I am I mirror of misfortune It is completely incorrect that I can fly free across the sky I’m not a big star, but If we decide to reverse it, allow the darkness, we will shine brighter than before.

The environment is destroyed.

It is false to say that Life will survive It is to be said that The world is at its end.

We cannot say that We have not caused our own destruction.

We need to know that The polar regions will be gone.

I do not believe This planet has hope.

It is the truth that Humans have destroyed mother earth.

We cannot assume The earth is not failing.

News will come that The world is at its end.

Experts do not believe We can save this world.

All this will happen soon, unless we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Then we can reverse the cycle.

You are a villain.

By Eva Berger, Grade 7

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By Jane Ai, Grade 5

By Prudy Peng, Grade 5

And remember to keep on defying the thought that you are the good person of the story.

Climb up the thoughts of this never-ending journey that this society is evil.

What makes you think that we will succeed in life?

Chaos is always chaos.

Order is always order.

No matter what, everyone hates you.

So deny the fact that you will make it.

Keep thinking that some people are bad.

Life goes on.

Earth keeps turning.

Time to refuse everything is bad.

There is light.

Use the lantern of hope to guide you through the darkness.

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SYC AMORE CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022