December-February

Volume 34, Issue 3

The

Meadows Mirror C ommunity Service Edition

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The Importance of Community Service by Dana Larson, Director of the Upper School

The Meadows Upper School requires that a student fulfill 144 hours of active community service during the four years prior to graduation. According to our Student/Parent Handbook, the purpose of this is to “give students an opportunity to acquire a greater sense of self and community,” but I pause to wonder, what does this mean and what do our students really get out of this type of service?

“In a culture that is so wrapped around ‘wants’ and ‘achievements,’ it is easy for our teenagers to grow up without a sense of gratitude for what they have and empathy for the needs of the less fortunate around them. Volunteering in community service projects and helping others can be very fulfilling, and if you can show your teen how enriching it is from a young age, they’ll start to make an association between helping someone else and their own joy.”

When I think of what constitutes a Meadows student, one characteristic that stands out, hands down, is “driven.” Our students are dedicated to their education and to their personal success. And, one thing I recognize is that our students are as busy as many fulltime employed adults. As a parent, one thing I lament is that my children are not able to be employed in jobs outside of school during the school year. Harkening back to my teenage years, I credit the various jobs I held outside of school as being very influential to my level of maturity as well as to my understanding of how the world really was, and I worry that our students might be missing out on something.

Here at The Meadows School, we provide a myriad of service opportunities throughout the year. For example, our students participated in various events during the fall semester, from National Honor Society partnering with Miracle League to play baseball with adults and children living with mental and physical disabilities, to our Young Conservatives going door to door registering voters.

However, one thing I have learned through my observations of students here at The Meadows who participate in sports is that their experiences are very similar to employment – they have to show up, be on time, deal with adversity, work in cooperation with others, dedicate personal time, revel in their successes, and learn from their failures. What I have come to understand, though, is that there is another significant way from which students can grow through these types of experiences: community service. What students have the potential to get out of active community service can surpass that of athletics or even outside employment. At a school like The Meadows, it is understandable that students get wrapped up in “my schedule, my homework, my exams, my grades, my college list…” and can lose sight of the world beyond themselves. According to Dr. Shobha Bhaskar, from St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine,

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Further, our Spanish Honor Society collected clothing for the families of Roundy Elementary (a CCSD Title One school), after learning that, for example, some of their students were going home for winter break “with only one pair of underwear and socks,” according to member, Rachel S. The Women’s Empowerment Club and Key Club have both volunteered at Shade Tree, an organization that helps provide meals to women and children who have been displaced from their homes, usually due to situations involving domestic violence. WEMP advisor, Dr. Slater, describes that even during the drive down to Shade Tree, our students are exposed to “streets lined with the tents of Las Vegas’ homeless population,” showing them just how “tenuous life can be and how much volunteering is really needed.” Key Club advisor, Ms. Bartley, states that the experience for her group was “a humbling one, and I think it was eye-opening even for those who had volunteered in shelters before.” Despite the fact that these women and children were going through a very tough time, according to Bartley, they were “thankful for what they did have and most had a very positive attitude, which was a good reminder for us to appreciate the opportunities and the people we have in our own lives.”

Above: The National Art Honor Society and heART Club members spent the afternoon painting picture frames with Atria Seville residents

Above: The 2017 National Junior Honor Society Induction

Helping the Community, One Student at a Time by Kristine N. ’22

“In pursuit of excellence,” is a motto that applies not only to academics, sports, and the arts, but to community service as well. The National Junior Honor Society serves to recognize students who excel in all areas of school and character while providing them with the chance to help out in their community. In the Middle School, NJHS participates in several activities, whether in school or outside of The Meadows. For example, members of NJHS lend their services at activities such as the Pancake Breakfast, Fall Festival, and even the Homecoming Game every fall. Three Square Food Bank, in particular, is also a very central part of the Middle School’s community service initiative, with groups volunteering at least once a month. Babysitting Night is an annual event that NJHS members organize, where Middle School students get to entertain Lower School students for a couple of hours in the evening. Events similar to these are popular among the students and parents alike. In

addition, students in the honor society are greatly encouraged to seek out opportunities that they are interested in and present those ideas to the group as a whole. Meetings conducted every Friday provide time for the group to plan and discuss. Along with signing up for any community service work, members are tasked with assuming the responsibilities and commitments associated with the work that they have chosen. This means that factors like transportation and time management must be taken into consideration by the student volunteers before participating in any service assignments. NJHS provides a sense of community among its members while preparing them for similar opportunities available to them in upper grade levels and later on in life. Students in the National Junior Honor Society demonstrate a readiness and willingness to help those around them and a genuine commitment to their charitable endeavors.

Above: NJHS members at the 2017 Annual Pancake Breakfast

Above: NJHS members volunteering at Three Square

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Lower School Community Service by Kathy Brennan, Fifth Grade Teacher

The Meadows Lower School participates in community service all year long. Most recently, our three kindergarten classes visited Nellis Air Force Base to deliver camouflage-painted guardian angels created by our artistic children. Students sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and expressed gratitude for those who serve our country. Fifth-grade students traveled to Floyd Lamb Park in November with trash bags and gloves to enjoy its 680-acres of wildlife and lakes while contributing to park clean-up. Students participated in team building games followed by a well-earned picnic. Second grade students look forward to February when they visit the NSPCA (National Society for the Protection of Animals) and host their annual fundraising bake sale. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and even pigs

are rescued and await adoption while second grade students create delicious goodies to sell for this great cause. Operation Gratitude, organized by TMSPA and fourth grade students, is a Halloween candy collection project benefiting military service personnel overseas. Mountains of donated candy are shipped to military installations abroad with postage paid by the generous largesse of local orthodontist, Dr. John Griffiths. While third graders volunteer for Three Square, Meadows first graders are prolific in their sentiments of gratitude for well-deserving military service personnel and senior citizens. Clearly, giving back to our community and those who serve our country is a year-round honor in Lower School.

Good Citizen Award Recipients This award is given to students who go above and beyond to show compassion and be productive members of the increasingly global society of the 21st century. The following students were awarded the Good Citizen Award in November and December.

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• Audrey A. ’26 • Henry A. ’28 • Hanna A. ’30 • London A. ’27 • Andrew A. ’25 • Rob A. ’25 • Aiden B. ’27 • Braylen B. ’29 • Ethan C. ’27 • Priyanka C. ’29 • Lorenzo C. ’28 • Josh C. ’27 • Benjamin C. ’28 • Jackie C. ’25 • Roman D. ’26 • Suzie D. ’27 • Savera D. ’27 • Ava Rose D. ’29 • Andria D. ’30 • Caroline D. ’29

• Sadie E. ’28 • Abigail E. ’30 • Hudson F. ’26 • Kerrigan F. ’28 • Shelby F. ’25 • Ethan F. ’26 • Jacob G. ’28 • Grace G. ’26 • Genevieve G. ’27 • Olivia G. ’26 • Jack G. ’29 • London G. ’30 • Kayleb H. ’30 • Jordan K. ’27 • Serena K. ’30 • Mehrzad K. ’27 • Noor K. ’25 • Zion K. ’29 • Christian K. ’26 • Storm K. ’30

• George L. ’29 • Adelynn Lee ’30 • Lauren L. ’30 • Skylen L. ’26 • Kaavya M. ’28 • Caroline M. ’27 • Mason M. ’30 • Cruz M. ’27 • Anya M. ’28 • Jemma M. ’30 • Mary M. ’26 • Ella M. ’30 • Sarah N. ’28 • Ian O. ’28 • Miranda P. ’25 • Jack P. ’27 • Remi R. ’27 • Lucia S. ’28 • Cole S. ’30 • Miranda S. ’25

• Lea S. ’25 • Halle S. ’25 • Kyle S. ’28 • Sahej S. ’28 • Celia S. ’30 • Ira S. ’25 • Devereaux S. ’29 • Jonah S. ’25 • Anika S. ’29 • Nicolette T. ’26 • Charlize W. ’28 • Aiden W. ’25 • David W. ’26 • Madison W. ’27 • Alena W. ’25 • Mark W. ’29 • Colton Z. ’30

Beginning School Community Service

Community Helpers

by Sara Carlson, Director of the Beginning School

by Debra Browne, Beginning School Teacher

It is never too soon to teach young children the value of community service. In the Beginning School, community service begins in the classroom. Each child is expected to be a good citizen in the community by sharing, using kind words and keeping the classroom neat and tidy. Beyond taking care of oneself, children look forward to serving as classroom helpers on a rotating schedule. Jobs include line leader, teacher assistant, snack helper, calendar assistant, and flag helper. Service to one another builds confidence and the desire to serve in the wider community. Beginning School students are 3-5 years old so their main outlet for community service at school is though group projects and school-wide initiatives. This year the children were excited about opening their piggy banks for hurricane victims to contribute to the American Red Cross Relief effort. While they were probably equally excited about seeing so many coins in a jar, they learned that when people need help, even a little bit counts. The Beginning School children also participated in the December coat drive. In small ways, the preschool children are learning that service to others is something good to incorporate into their lives.

Teaching young children about Community Helpers is a popular unit and for good reason. Preschoolers love to dress up and do what they see adults doing. Community helpers can be defined as any professionals who aid in the overall well-being and health of the community. Community helpers include police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, dentists, librarians, mail carriers, construction workers, and even teachers. When instructing children of preschool age, teachers introduce this unit through dramatic play, games, puzzles, and books. Keep in mind that young children’s bodies and brains are developing at an enormous rate. Because the brain learns by making connections, they learn and remember best when provided with rich experiences. It is important for children to learn their role in a community and that there are safe, friendly people to help them if they are sick or have an emergency. It is comforting for children to learn there are people outside of their family who have a concern for their safety and understand who they can trust.

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Middle School First Semester Honor Roll - Honors Class of 2024 • Evan B. • Laura C. • Lian C. • Karolina D. • Skye D. • Athena H. • Cole K. • Shawn N. • Reza N. • Gia O. • Williams Q. • Naveerah Q.

• Julian T. • Benjamin V. • Zoe Z. Class of 2023 • Faris A. • Kyra Leigh B. • David C. • Benjamin E. • Sean G. • Andrew K. • Phillippe K. • Dagny M.

• • • • • • • • • •

Colton M. Campbell N. Karissa N. Alberto P. Zack R. Brandon R. Riley S. Bree S. Christopher S. Ray T.

Class of 2022 • Alexander C. • Roman C. • Lauren E. • Brooke F. • Danielle M. • Isabella M. • Alexanna M. • Jacqueline R. • Melanie R. • Justin V. • Julia W.

Middle School First Semester Honor Roll - High Honors Class of 2024 • Robert B. • Dylan B. • Meher D. • Jake E. • Alexa G. • Benjamin G. • Yasamin G. • Isabella H. • Ryan H. • Payton H. • Aaron L. • Brandon L. • Alexander L. • Joanna M. • Raunaq M. • Laasya M. • David M. • Ryan N. • Zachary N. • Mizara N. • Rocco S. • Aanya S. • Sophie S.

• Zaan T. • Michael T. • Cole V. • India V. • Mariam W. • Beverly W. • Brandon Y. Class of 2023 • Shazray A. • Joseph B. • Brinley B. • Jasmine C. • Amy C. • Manat C. • Iris C. • Peter D. • Sanjana D. • Elizabeth D. • Emily E. • Chloe G. • Madeline H. • Ashley H. • Sabrinna I. • Mandalay L.

• Cody L. • Caroline L. • Sam L. • Leighton L. • Julianna L. • Sophie M. • Noor N. • Sierra N. • Dominic P. • Phoebe S. • Sydney S. • Edwina S. • Ellen S. • Elle T. • Lynsey T. • Lauren W. Class of 2022 • Amanda A. • Alex A. • Jacqueline B. • Elizabeth B. • Amira B. • Corey B. • Ainsley F.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Justin H. Sofia K. Veena K. Patrick K. Marcus L. Sophia L. Adriana M. Anna M. Jonathan M. Rahul M. Kristine N. Jenna O. Nishelle P. Nashrah Q. Niccolo R. Rachel R. Hailey S. Mathew S. Lyla W. Madelyn W. Luke Y. Erica Y. Lauren Z.

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Ashlynn D. Edozie E. Audrey G. Chloe H. Hasan I. Julia K. Dina K. Connor N. Daniel P. K. Brock P. Isra Q. Kevin R. Gina R. Peyton S.

Upper School First Semester Honor Roll - Honors Class of 2021 • Sydney A. • Sachin B. • Lars C. • Tyler C. • Michael C. • Sofia L. • Benden P. • Michael R. • Grace R. • Nebiyu S. • Allison S. • Avery T. • Jack W.

Class of 2020 • Michelangelo B. • Anisa B. • Julianne C. • Trey C. • Jacob H. • Giselle K. • Kwame K. • Ethan L. • Andrew L. • Evan M. • Vivian P. • Allison S.

Class of 2019 • Justin B. • Matthew F. • Justin F. • Allen F. • Noah K. • Nicholas M. • Khawaja N. • Sydney R. Class of 2018 • Landin B. • Ryan C. • Alexi C.

Excellence in Art and Writing Congratualations to Brammhi B. ’19 (writing), Sheen K. ’19 (writing), Evan M. ’20 (art), Haritha R. ’19 (art), and Talia S. ’18 (art) for winning Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

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Upper School First Semester Honor Roll - High Honors Class of 2021 • Kalina A. • Claire A. • Calista B. • Blake C. • Izzac C. • Amelia H. • Hayden H. • Lindsey H. • Devin H. • Lia J. • Chelsea J. • Arianna J. • Raees K. • Julien L. • Brian L. • Chiara L. • Michelle L. • Jake M. • Adam M. • Isabella M. • Jack R. • Biro S. • Sneha S. • Alice S. • Kambree T. • Cassandra T. • Lauren T. • Alexis Y. • Brian Y. Class of 2020 • Jerry A. • Peyton B. • Ari B. • Spencer B. • Parker B. • Ilana C. • Samantha F.

• Grace F. • Reece I. • Bentley J. • Lenae J. • Avery K. • Brett L. • Yiyang L. • Ava M. • Hailie M. • Mercedes M. • Ariya N. • Clarence N. • Chad N. • Chloe N. • Nicholas O. • Zane P. • Kiri P. • Sire P. • Wafa Q. • Bailey R. • Elle R. • Zachary S. • Jared S. • Claire S. • Helen T. • Minahil T. • Rubaab W. • Aidan S. Class of 2019 • Anna A. • Sara A. • Ryan A. • Brammhi B. • Lilian C. • Ian C. • Anna D. • Samantha D.

• Joseph E. • Aleema F. • Mira G. • Emily H. • Peter H. • Shayna I. • Alexis J. • Samuel K. • Sheen K. • Dani M. • Sam M. • Malini N. • Grace N. • Taylor P. • Peri P. • Alexandra P. • Teagan P. • Haritha R. • Tanner R. • Myra S. • Kayla S. • Julius S. • Justin T. • Raatib T. • Beau T. • Christopher T. • Eshaan V. • John Y. • Richard Z. • Tal Z. Class of 2018 • Chowdhury A. • Shahzaib A. • Celia A.

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Sivan B. Cole B. Brian C. Stefan C. Adam C. Emily E. Benjamin G. Scarlett G. Lindsay H. Ellen H. Kevin I. Sarah J. Veronica J. Alexandra K. Ashley L. Zoe L. Silvia L. Frederick M. Ahmed N. Jeffrey N. Joshua O. Korinne O. Lauren O. Ronnie O. Kathleen O. Sahil P. Garrison R. Samantha S. Rachel S. Brooke S. Talia S. Robert S. Olivia W. Eric W. Blake W.

Theatre in the Community by E’Dawn Severance-Burris, Upper School Theatre Teacher

Theatre is about spreading an energy; we aim to bottle up a feeling and share it with our audiences. In turn, we feed off of the energy of our audiences, allowing their reactions to inform how we emote onstage. Yet, as the scope of our audiences broadened in 2016 with the creation of “For Skits and Giggles,” the energies and thereby the meaning of our performances shifted. With “For Skits and Giggles,” the Meadows theatre crew has brightened spirits (and induced giggles) at children’s hospitals, nursing homes, and preschools around the Las Vegas community. We love performing,—it’s what we do!—but spreading the intrinsic brightness of theatre beyond the cozy confines of our blue fences has been engaging and enlightening in unfamiliar ways. The tangible joy radiating from various audiences—whether it be hospitalized children as we perform a skit from Charlie Brown, or a crowd of eighty-yearolds as they nostalgically belt out Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” with one of our Meadows freshmen—is a testament to the power of theatre and collaboration in enlivening our Las Vegas community.

bring basic acting instruction to children around the Las Vegas community who wouldn’t receive it otherwise; amongst other things, Meadows has taught us that with active and deliberate service, one’s work is never done. Having lived this Meadows message and made an impact on the lives of others through “For Skits and Giggles,” we are empowered to march as proud and motivated volunteers into not only the Las Vegas community, but the communities we will join as college students and citizens of the world.

“For Skits and Giggles” continues to expand as we strive to

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Debate Tournament Updates by Tim Alderete, Speech and Debate Teacher

This past December, The Meadows Debate team traveled to Utah for the Alta Tournament, as well as to North Las Vegas for the Rancho Tournament. At Alta, Kobby S. ’19 advanced through the preliminary debates in Varsity Lincoln Douglas with a 4-2 record, winning his last two break rounds to qualify for the elimination rounds. Kobby reached the Double Octofinals before he dropped to a debater from Loyola High School in Los Angeles. Kobby negated the resolution – that wealthy nations do not have an obligation to provide development assistance to other nations. He argued that development aid has backfired, and has transferred wealth out of developing nations. Alta is one of the largest tournaments in the Mountain West, so breaking there is a great accomplishment. At Rancho, 9th graders, Jake M. and Lexy Y., were undefeated in Novice Policy debate, and the top seed moving into the elimination rounds. Seeding is determined first by record, then by speaker points, meaning that Jake and Lexy had the highest speaker point total of all undefeated teams. They debated against personal arch enemy Advanced Technology School in the semifinals, making it extra gratifying when they were declared the winner. They qualified for the finals and took first place in the tournament. They defended their affirmative case that the federal government should guarantee equal funding for all public schools in the United States by establishing a right to education. Rancho had the largest Novice Policy field of any Las Vegas tournament. Congratulations on the great weekend! Over the New Year break, the Meadows Forensics team travelled to the state of Arizona for the ASU Debate Tournament. In Novice Policy debate, Bentley J. ’20 and Aleema F. ’19 were 4-2 in the preliminary debates, defeating teams from Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and Saratoga, CA. They earned a 6th seed in the elimination rounds. Aleema was named the 6th Speaker, and Bentley was named the 7th Speaker. They advanced to the Octofinal Debate before bowing out to a team from Salt Lake City West that eventually made it to the finals of the tournament.

The Meadows School 8601 Scholar Lane Las Vegas, Nevada 89128 www.TheMeadowsSchool.org

The Meadows Mirror

Vol. 34. 3, Community Service Edition

Address Service Requested

Above: Our talented TMS musicians after playing at the Smith Center before The Nutcracker

The People You Meet at the Airport In November, while flying back from a cross country meet, our athletes had the opportunity to meet Nevada Governor, Brian Sandoval, who happened to be on the same flight!

In Novice Lincoln Douglas, Devin H. ’21 was undefeated in the preliminary debates and ranked the Top Seed in Novice. She made it all the way to the quarterfinals, arguing the resolution that plea bargaining should be abolished. Her performance earned her the Top Speaker award in Novice LD. Arizona State is a very competitive Southwestern tournament, drawing competitors from California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Ohio, and North Carolina. This was a great start to the second semester of our season!

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Above: Governor Sandoval with Tanner R. ’19