May our collective journey continue to be guided by the steadfast spirit of unity and cooperation. At The Village School, peace and diversty is what we’re about.
- Bill Delbrugge
Donor Stories - Sonali Mehra Singh Spirit Teams Houston Heart Walk
Educator of the Year Nomination & Two-Diamond Coach Award
Are You Ready to Be a QUEEN?
Upcoming Fine Arts Events
Vacanva Portrait Artists All About the Bridgerton Gala
Ice Venkatesh’s Lemonade With Ice Gala
A B O U T V I L L A G E
N R I C H M E N T
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Village School Enrichment Organization’s mission is to support The Village School in the areas of academics including Speech and Debate, the arts, STEM/robotics, and athletics beyond the classroom Village Enrichment supports innovative programs and experiences to help students gain a larger sense of their community
Village Enrichment plays a vital role in supporting over 30 programs at Village, ensuring that our students have access to resources and opportunities that enhance their educational journey Our fundraising efforts enable us to cover essential expenses, including:
Costumes, instruments, and equipment for our fine arts programs
Sports equipment for our athletic teams
Guest speakers, master classes, and educational workshops
Local and travel tournament costs for our competitive teams
Hotel and transportation expenses for off-campus events
Every donation made to Village Enrichment is a
the success and well-being of our students We're
DONOR S T O R I E S
BUILDING COMMUNITY AND INSPIRING CREATIVITY:
SONALI’S JOURNEY AND COMMITMENT TO THE VILLAGE SCHOOL
Thank you to Sonali Mehra Singh and her family for sharing their story in this month’s Donor Highlights! As the Buffalo Wild Wings donor from the 2024 Masquerade Gala, which benefitted the Fine Arts Program, their dedication to The Village School and commitment to giving back is truly inspiring!
Village Enrichment is grateful for their support of our students and programs, and we’re thrilled to have families like theirs contributing to what makes Village such a special place. Read on to learn about the Singh's journey, their enthusiasm for student growth, and the meaningful impact they hope to bring to the Village community.
We are a family of four I have been married to my husband, Kamal Singh, for almost 13 years, whom I met while we were both attending the University of Houston We have two children: Aryavir Singh (10) in 4th grade and Shaurya Vir Singh (7) in 2nd grade
Initially, we were referred to The Village School through our common friends, and as I look back, I’m so glad that we chose this school for our kids We have been able to build long-lasting relationships with other like-minded parents I am also extremely confident that our wonderful teachers are working hard every day to set our kids up for long-term success There have been numerous teachers who have impacted us as parents and our boys over the last four years. I’d like to recognize Mrs. Ronzetti-Cook, who has taught both of our boys. Apart from being a great teacher, we’ve built a strong bond throughout this journey In short, she is an amazing teacher, and we are so glad she is part of The Village family
The diversity amongst the student body is what makes The Village School so special. Our kids are fortunate to be surrounded by so many different cultures, allowing them to learn from each other and become better citizens We love seeing The Village School topping the list as one of the best private schools in Texas It is a partnership between the parents and the school leadership that will continue to excel our school to new heights
We believe in the mission of The Village School and felt we needed to do our part for our kids and the Village School students. Our hope is that our contribution will spark creativity amongst our student base in the years to come This commitment to making a difference aligns perfectly with the values of Emerge! Inc, where we strive not only to succeed as a business but also to positively impact the communities we serve Founded by Kamal Singh in 2009 with the purchase of one restaurant, Emerge! Inc. has grown into one of the largest quick-service restaurant businesses in the country, employing over 5,000 individuals across five states
Contributing to the community is a vital part of our family and business values, which we aim to instill in our children When we give back, we have the opportunity to enhance the lives of others and motivate them to pay it forward, thereby fostering a positive impact on the community at large. Personally, I am engaged in the school community and serve on the VSPA board as VP Elementary Through this role, I actively work towards building community and fostering a sense of unity among our students, parents, and staff It is a truly rewarding experience
Interview with Sonali Mehra Singh
SPIRIT TEAMS CHEER FOR THE HOUSTON HEART WALK ATHLETICS NEWS
Members from both MS and HS Spirit Teams participated in the Houston Heart Walk which has raised over 1.8 millions dollars so far! They were so inspired to watch all the participants and the volunteers come together for an amazing cause! The teams had so much fun and are so grateful for the opportunity to help!
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Courtesy of Village Athletics
HOMECOMING WIN DIG PINK FUNDRAISER
The Girls Volleyball Team hosted theur annual Dig Pink game/fundriser for the Americn Cancer Society. It was truly greaat seeing our kids use their playform to support a cause close to their hearts!
SPEECH & DEBATE
TSCA EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINATION
Congratulations to Mrs. Huffman, who was nominated for the TSCA Educator of the Year Award in the Middle School Division! We’re also excited that Casey Garcia, who works closely with our students as an external coach, has been nominated for the College Division!
Village Enrichment proudly funded hotel accommodations for our Village coaches to support their professional development, as this opportunity was directly relevant to their teaching curriculum but fell outside the school’s standard offerings and budget. Not only do they gain new knowledge and training at the annual conference, but they also serve on state committees and are voting members shaping rules and amendments that directly impact speech and debate activities. We can’t wait to hear the results and cheer them on at the 2025 conference!
The Texas Speech Communication Association (TSCA) Educator of the Year Award is an annual honor that recognizes outstanding educators in Texas who have made significant contributions to the field of speech and communication This award celebrates excellence in teaching, dedication to student development, and contributions to speech education through innovative practices, leadership, and advocacy for communication skills. Recipients are often teachers, coaches, or professors who have positively impacted their students and the educational community, often with notable involvement in speech and debate programs, curriculum development, or professional development in the field.
N E W S
S p e e c h & D e b a
t e
N E W S
TWO-DIAMOND COACH AWARD
TWO-DIAMOND COACH
Congratulations to Mrs. Huffman for earning her Two-Diamond Coach award from the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) as of November 4th! This prestigious recognition is awarded to coaches who achieve significant competitive success with their teams over the years. Coaches earn points based on student achievements in tournaments, service, and leadership within the NSDA.
A two-diamond coach in the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) has earned 15,000 points and coached for at least five years after receiving their first diamond. To earn each additional diamond, a coach must earn 30,000 points and wait five years. Earning two diamonds reflects Mrs. Huffman’s dedication, experience, and the tremendous impact she has made on her students and the Speech & Debate community. We’re so proud to celebrate this accomplishment with her!
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
VMS SPEECH & DEBATE DOMINATES TOP DAWG TOURNAMENT
On October 19th, 2024, the VMS Speech and Debate Team competed at the Top Dawg Speech and Debate Tournament at Stephen F Austin High School The VMS Speech and Debate team placed FIRST in the Overall Team Sweepstakes Competition!
Congratulations to the entire team! Our team is growing rapidly, with many accomplishments to celebrate. While the list of awards is long, here are a few notable highlights where students took home 1st Place in their events:
To see the full list of awards, visit the Facebook page.
Thank you to all the amazing parents and siblings who showed up to support us and cheer us on all day Saturday! Go Vikings!
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
VHS CELEBRATES RECORD TEAM GROWTH
At the Cypress Ridge Tournament, we earned 1st Place in Speech Sweepstakes! At Stratford High School, we brought home 2nd Place Overall Sweepstakes, and at the Tompkins Frenzy Freeze Tournament, we took 3rd Place in Debate Sweepstakes! With over 40 students competing in these recent tournaments our largest team yet we’re only getting stronger!
Congratulations to the entire team, most notably the following who were 1st Place in their event in the last few tournaments:
Grand Oaks Tournament
Haana Salemi - 1st Place Speaker Award in Public Forum
Cypress Lakes Tournament:
Tristan Mai - Humorous Interp
Tanmay Rai - Foreign Extemp
Eli Zinmeister - Novice Congress
Cypress Ridge Tournament - 1st Place Speech Sweepstakes Award!
Aleeza Lalwani - Novice Congress
Janaash Sandhu - Humorous Interp
Emma Kay - Program Oral Interp
Matthew Rovere and Uzair Jinnah - Public Forum
Cy Woods Tournament:
Vedanth Sriram - Novice Extemp
Seven Lakes Tournament:
Randvir Seshadri - Impromptu
Vedu Rapolu & Jayden Goel - Novice Public Forum
Stratford Spartan Tournament - 2nd Place Overall Sweepstakes!
Tanmay Rai - Foreign Extemp
Vedanth Siram - Novice Extemp
Tompkins Frenzie Freeze Tournament - 3rd Place Debate Sweepstakes!
Ranvir Seshadri - Impromptu
Tanmay Rai - Foreign Extemp
Emma Kay - Program Oral Interp
Selina Zhang continues her dominance on the national circuit, crowned Grand Champion of Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate at the Delores Taylor Arthur School Invitational! Selina is now more than qualified for the Tournament of Champions with 4 TOC bids!
A Big Congratulations to Tanmay Rai for receiving the National Speech & Debate Association’s Speaking and Service Award! This prestigious honor is awarded to only 200 students annually from over 140,000 participants nationwide We are incredibly proud of his dedication to helping others improve their speech and debate skills!
Early TFA State Qualifiers:
Tanmay Rai (Congress and Extemp)
Nirav Mandhani (Congress and Extemp)
Adrienne Wang (Lincoln Douglas)
Jaanash Sandhu (Humorous Interp)
Emma Kay (Program Oral Interp)
Selina Zhang (Lincoln Douglas)
A R T
WILD TUNES RAISES $32K FOR HOMELESS ANIMALS
A huge congratulations to Wild Tunes, its founder Yuvi Agarwal, and all the talented student performers and Houston’s finest musicians who created an inspiring night of music and kindness on October 26th at the Melodies of Gratitude Concert! We’re thrilled to see students from The Village School Fine Arts Department join this special event to support Houston Humane Society, BARC, and Special Pals.
Together, they helped raise an incredible $32,000 to continue their mission with Wild Tunes to help homeless animals in Houston! Thank you for sharing your talent and compassion with our community! To learn more, visit: wwwwildtunesorg
N E W S
FALL CHOIR PERFORMANCE
Thank you parents for coming out to support our Village School Choir who put on a beautiful performance last week! We are grateful to Diego Suniaga who volunteered to shoot photos of our students! You can visit his website.
NORD ANGLIA ART COMPETITION
Congratulations to our Nord Anglia Art Competition Village Middle School Winner, Xing Yi Kee! Jolika's art piece was unamiously chosen as best of show by all three art judges. Jolika's piece was one of 63 entries all depicting the theme "Light and Dark." This years contest included mediums of painting, drawing, ink painting, collage, and photography. She will represent our school in the global competition for the age group catagory of 8-6 grades Congratulations to our 2nd place winner Anorah Molla for her photograph entry, and 3rd place winner Liam Walter's for his collage entry.
ART NEWS
The Village School cast of Six: Teen Edition cordially invites your student to our Queen Bootcamp an exclusive behind-thescenes experience! Discover the hard work and excitement that goes into bringing the musical Six: Teen Edition to life
About the Musical:
Six: The Musical - Teen Edition is a schoolfriendly version of the Six: The Musical a story about the 6 wives of King Henry VIII with a modern-day punk twist The story gives a “voice” back to the six queens who have come to be known for their royal husband Set through a lens of a friendly competition, this show explores themes of sisterhood and empowerment while asking the age-old question, what did the six wives of Henry VIII really feel about being part of his queendom?
This workshop runs from 8:30-2pm on Nov 9th and is perfect for students in 3rd-8th grade interested in:
-Enhancing their dancing, singing, or acting skills
-Exploring musical theater and acting for the first time
Here
Workshop is Nov. 9th
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS ART NEWS
The Village Fine Arts Department is excited to announce that private lessons are now offered for all instruments before and after school! To get started, simply reach out to the teacher for the instrument you’re interested in, arrange a convenient time, and discuss studio details. It’s a straightforward process to begin your musical journey!
For a complete list of available teachers, please look through the brochure below
STEM LEADERS: ICE VENKATESH EMPOWERS
GIRLS’ EDUCATION THROUGH LEMONADE WITH ICE
At The Village School, students are not only challenged academically through rigorous STEM programs but are also encouraged to think creatively through the Entrepreneurship Program, empowering them to make a positive impact and inspire their peers.
Meet Ice Venkatesh, a 14-year-old Village student and founder of Lemonade With Ice, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing girls’ education in STEM Recently, Ice hosted the 8th Annual Gala at the Galleria Ice Rink, joined by her teammates, family, friends, and volunteers from her EmpowerHer Club at Village Through performances, silent auctions, and merchandise sales, they raised funds to support retention rates of girls in underserved communities through educational initiatives, community partnerships, and advocacy for gender equality in STEM fields
With Village Enrichment already supporting STEM groups like robotics, we’re thrilled to see students like Ice making an impact not just within their school but also within their community! Learn more about her u p
FIRST ROBOTICS CHALLENGE (FRC) OVERVIEW STEM/ROBOTICS NEWS
What is FRC?
The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an advanced robotics competition for high school students (grades 9–12) Teams design, build, and program large-scale robots to compete in intense, alliance-based matches against other teams FRC is part of the broader FIRST program, alongside FIRST Lego League (FLL) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), each offering unique STEM challenges.
Competition Structure:
The FRC season begins with a kickoff event in January, where a themed game is announced. Teams then have a limited build period to design and construct their robot according to that season's challenges. The competition involves local, regional, and district events, culminating in the prestigious FIRST Championship Teams earn points and awards based on robot performance, teamwork, and community outreach
Robot and Programming:
FRC robots are often large and complex, built using professional-grade hardware and programmed in languages like Java, LabVIEW, or C++ Under the mentorship of coaches, students apply engineering principles, working together to strategize and execute robot functions for each competition match.
Competition Details:
Matches are divided into autonomous, teleoperated, and endgame phases, allowing teams to showcase programming, driving skills, and strategic planning. Teams advance through levels based on match outcomes and award recognitions, with the season extending from January to April.
Judging and Awards:
Teams present their designs and outreach efforts to judges through interviews and presentations Awards such as the Chairman’s Award honor teams excelling in technical achievement, innovation, and community impact
Core Values:
FRC champions "Coopertition" and "Gracious Professionalism," promoting a culture of teamwork and respect even among competing teams.
Events and Advancement: Teams qualify for the World Championship through success at local and regional events. Advancement criteria are designed to maintain fairness and celebrate excellence across all aspects of the competition
Award Categories:
Awards recognize excellence in design, innovation, and community involvement, highlighting FRC’s commitment to fostering an inspiring, supportive environment for young engineers
FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION (FRC) VS FIRST TECH CHALLENGE (FTC) STEM/ROBOTICS NEWS
The difference between FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) lies primarily in the scale, design requirements, and the age groups they cater to. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
1. Target Age Group
FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition):
- Designed for high school students (grades 9–12).
FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge):
- Intended for middle and high school students (grades 7–12)
2. Robot Size and Complexity FRC:
- Robots are significantly larger and heavier, typically weighing up to 120 pounds (54 kg)
- Teams have more freedom in terms of design, allowing for more complex mechanisms and systems
FTC:
- Robots are smaller, typically fitting within an 18-inch cube when starting
- Teams use standardized parts and kits, leading to a focus on programming and strategy rather than heavy mechanical construction.
3. Building and Programming FRC:
- Teams have more autonomy to design and build their robots from scratch using a wide variety of materials and tools.
- Programming can be done using languages like C++, Java, or LabVIEW
FTC:
- Uses a more standardized kit, often with pre-made parts, making it easier for teams to build robots
- Robots are primarily programmed using Androidbased systems, utilizing languages such as Java and Kotlin
4. Competition Structure FRC:
- Competitions are typically larger events with more teams participating, often held in arenas designed for the larger robots
- FRC events can include multiple qualification rounds followed by playoffs
FTC:
- Events are smaller and often held in gymnasiums or community centers
- Matches are quicker, with alliances consisting of two teams each, competing in shorter rounds
5. Cost and Resources FRC:
- Generally more expensive due to the larger scale of robots and resources needed.
- Teams may require more financial backing and sponsorship.
FTC:
- More budget-friendly, making it accessible to a wider range of schools and community organizations
- Teams can often operate with a smaller budget, focusing on effective strategies and programming
In essence, FRC is suited for larger teams with a greater emphasis on mechanical engineering, while FTC offers a more accessible entry point into robotics with a focus on programming and collaboration Both programs promote STEM education and teamwork, but they cater to different skill levels, resources, and team dynamics
FUN-RAISING
NO COOK DAYS
Each month, Village Enrichment hosts a Spirit Day or Night at a local business. By shopping or dining whether online, dine-in, or carry-out on a specific day, typically 10-20% of the proceeds are donated back to support Fine Arts, Athletics, Speech & Debate, and Robotics at The Village School These extracurricular programs use the funds for things like band equipment, sports training gear, dance team uniforms, and reducing costs for tournaments. Since tuition covers salaries, facilities, and core resources, this allows parents to support programs their children are involved in providing special opportunities that aren't otherwise funded. There’s no minimum spend, and this isn’t a discount the full purchase counts toward the amount that is given back to our nonprofit which benefits the students. It’s a fun way to raise money, and every dollar makes a difference!
