SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM
MR. DELBRUGGE, HEAD OF SCHOOL
A B O U T
OUR MISSION
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 valuable investment in the success and well-being of our students We're proud to inform you that contributions to Village Enrichment are eligible for charitable tax deductions
ATHLETICS N E W S
MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Courtesy of Village Athletics
ATHLETICS NEWS
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Courtesy of Village Athletics
FOOTBALL GETS FIRST
WIN OF THE SEASON!
6DifferentVikingsScoreinWin!
OnSept 20th,ourVarsityFootballteamhadanincredibleshowingwithastrong performance,pickinguptheirfirstwinoftheseason!FreshmanDraylanHenryset thetoneearlybyreturningtheopeningkick-offforatouchdown,energizingthe entireteam Theoffenseplayedwithgreatspiritthroughoutthegame,showing determinationandfocus FreshmanDJBoydpoweredhiswayintotheendzo witha5-yardtouchdownrun,followedbyseniorPrestonDinh,whoscoredon yardrunandlatercappedoffhisnightwitharemarkable37-yardtouchdown
Onthedefensiveside,juniorAndrewDeBenedictiscameupbigwitha67-yar interceptionreturnforapick-six,showcasingtheteamsdefensivetenacity SeniorEbubeNnamdiNwachukwuranhardallnight,cappingoffhisperform witha7-yardtouchdown,whilefreshmanNajeebSuliamanaddedtothescor witha10-yardtouchdownrun
"I'mincrediblyproudoftheimprovementsourathletesareexhibiting Theyfo hardoneveryplayandnevergaveup Throughtheireffort,theyareshowing valuableexperience,gaininggrowth,andmaturityeachandeveryweek The progresstheyshowedduringourfourthgamewasremarkable Thiskindof perseverancewillcontinuetoserveuswellaswemoveforwardintheseason upthegreatwork,Vikings!"AddedFirstyearCoachPaulPinewhorecordedh winastheVikingsHeadCoach
FootballwillbebackinactionfortheirHomecominggameFridayOctober11t 6:30PM
DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION DANCE TEAM KICKS-OFF SEASON!
VikingEliteSpiritTeamReadyfor2024-2025!TheVikingsEliteSpiritTeamissuper excitedforFootballandthefallseason!TheCheerteamiseagertoshowofftheir newcheersandhalftimeroutinestheylearnedoverthesummeraswellastheir "newlook"fortheseason Thedanceteamshavebeentraininghardandalready workingoncompetitionchoreographyforthisupcomingyear We'rethankfulto welcomebackseveralveteranmembersalongwithsomeamazingrookies!Wehope thisseasonisthestartofagreatyear!
ATHLETICS NEWS
CROSS COUNTRY'S VETERANS LEADING THE WAY
Senior Leadership Has Embraced a Younger Team in their Quest for Success!
On Saturday (9/7), Senior runners Joseph Conjusteau, Alessio Berard, and Sanjna Reddy led a group of 17 underclassmen through our second meet of the season at the Lutheran South Invitational "It certainly is a young team this season, more so than usual" added third year Coach Michael Walker. "This new crew of runners are showing a high level of dedication and discipline, however, that is making the coaching staff optimistic about how the rest of the season can go. This group is putting in the effort; long Saturday runs in Terry Hershey, hills at Bishop Fiorenza, practice on the track at 6am. Our next meet is at Providence Classical, and we are looking forward to seeing payoffs from all the hard work and miles that have gone into the season so far"
ATHLETICS NEWS
FROM VILLAGE TO VICTORY: EVAN COCHRAN'S JOURNEY TO RICE UNIVERSITY
Congratulations to senior Evan Cochran and his parents on his commitment to continue both his athletic and academic career at Rice University, where he will proudly join the Rice Owls Men’s Basketball Team! Village Enrichment recently had the pleasure of interviewing Evan to learn more about his journey, his passion for basketball,andhisdedicationtoacademics
Why did you choose Rice University, and what do you plan to study?
I chose Rice because I loved the coaching staff, community, academic opportunities, and the opportunity to play high level basketball I plan on studying Kinesiology, which is a really fascinatingandfunmajortome
What factors do you think contributed to you being recruited by Rice, and what from your college application profile made you standout?
There were multiple factors that contributed to me being recruited by Rice My work ethic, versatile ability on the court, effort, and my grades all were the most important factors What stood out to the coaching staff was my relentlessness on the court, and in the classroom
Couldyoushareanyofyourpersonalbasketballstatswithus? SomestatsIhadlastyearwere19PPG,8RPG,and2BPG
Can you tell us about your journey from The Village School to being recruited by Rice University? What role did Village play in yourdevelopmentasanathlete?
From being a freshman with barely any exposure to now, It’s been a hard, fun, and exciting journey for me All the ups and downs have helped me grow as a person and a player, as this journey throughout AAU and High School Basketball has helped me learn lots of life lessons as well Village played an important role in my development as an athlete as they have put me in positions to succeed on and off the court, and have made me feel at home and motivatedmeonandoffthecourt
What is one lesson you learned at The Village School, on or off thecourt,thatyou'llcarrywithyoutoRiceUniversity?
IlearnedfromMr BillthatIhavetheabilitytomakeitagreatdayor a fantastic day I can control my happiness level if I continue to work hardeverydaywhenIwakeup,andmotivatemyselftobebetter
What is your favorite memory from playing basketball at The Village School? Was there a specific game or moment that standsout?
My favorite memory is when we played St Thomas on Senior night last year It was fun to see all our key players come together and all playedreallywell,asweoutworkedtheotherteamfortheWin
ATHLETICS NEWS
Beyond basketball, what part of The Village School experience helpedprepareyouforcollegelife?
I think with academics here at The Village School, it helped me prepare for college by the workload Showing that if I continue to work really hard, ask teachers for help, and develop relationships, I can achieve a lotofthingsandseegreatresultslaterinmycollegelife
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes at The VillageSchoolwhodreamofplayingatthecollegiatelevel?
Embrace the journey and don’t care about what other people think of you Continuetostayonthegrind,workhard,andyouwillseeresults
How do you balance academics and athletics, especially in a competitiveenvironmentlikeTheVillageSchool?
I like to make the most of my time to study and do homework during school and as soon as I get home after practice Of course, when it comes to practices and workouts, I don’t think about getting work done or anything else but giving it my all in the workout, but I limit my time to any other activities before I finish my homework and studying SometimesifIhaveanyquestionstoaskteachersIwilltakethetimeto dosoeitherbefore,during,orafterschool
Which teachers or coaches would you like to give a shout-out to, andwhy?
I would like to give a shout out to Coach Christy and Coach Kellar Both of them have put me in positions to be great, helped me develop as a player and a leader, and helped me grow into a significant part of this programovertheyears
Whataresomehobbiesorinterestsyouhaveoutsideofbasketball?
I like to cook, especially with family, along with playing video games, sometimesreading,andplayingwithmydog
What are you most excited about as you prepare to join Rice University’sbasketballteam?
I am excited to play for an amazing coaching staff, play with a great community of a team, and fit in Coach Lanier’s play style I am very excited to get to work and compete with the guys, to reach multiple goalsfortheseason
What’s something about you that your basketball teammates or classmatesatTheVillageSchoolmightnotknow?
I think a lot of people don’t understand the work it takes to play at the next level Some of my classmates, friends, and other people think it was easy for me to get to where I am now, but it wasn’t The road contained a lot of ups and downs and that’s what I want a lot of kids my age to understand, but the overall purpose is to keep working at whatyoulove,andyouwillseeresults
Lastly, if you could describe your time at The Village School in three words,whatwouldtheybeandwhy?
Enjoyable, suspenseful, and exhausting A lot of ups and downs occurred within the hard work that was displayed, which is why the journey was exhausting and very suspenseful, but I have loved every minute of it It’s truly been a remarkable, and enjoyable experience here at The Village School, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds!
Congratulations to Evan and his parents! We wish him the best of luck and much success as he embarks on this exciting journey!
GOOD LUCK TO THE MS TEAM AS THEY COMPETE THIS WEEKEND IN THEIR FIRST TOURNAMENT OF THE SEASON AT ALBRIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL!
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
VHS TEAM JOINS PRESTIGIOUS 100 CLUB
The Village High School Speech and Debate Team is proud to announce our recognition as one of the Top 100 Schools for 2023-2024 by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA). This prestigious honor is awarded to schools with the highest number of new degrees.
Founded in 1925, the NSDA Honor Society is one of the oldest and most respected by college admissions offices, celebrating students for their excellence in communication, research, listening, writing, and organization critical life skills for both academic and professional success. Students earn Honor Society merit points and degrees through competition, leadership, and service, which contribute to a school’s strength points. “Our Top 100 schools show an incredible commitment to growing speech and debate,” said J. Scott Wunn, NSDA Executive Director.
This recognition places us among the top schools out of more than 3,000 nationwide. We are immensely proud of our students, including last year’s graduates, whose efforts contributed to this achievement. This award highlights the school’s commitment to building skills that will benefit students well beyond their time at The Village School.
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
A R T
MELODIES OF GRATITUDE CONCERT
We’re thrilled to share that The Village School’s student ensemble, Wild Tunes, founded by Yuvi Agarwal, will be performing at the Melodies of Gratitude - Second Annual Concert on October 26 Get ready for a foot-tapping performance by these budding percussionists!
We bet your toes will be tapping along with this talented group of percussionists as they impress us with their rhythmic performance
The FREE concert has something for everyone and will, most importantly, help the 15K+ pets the three shelters (Houston Humane Society BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions, and Special Pals) support each year. So, mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 26 from 4-6 pm at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in The Heights.
Reserve your seat at here.
N E W S
WILD TUNES: YUVI AGARWAL'S MISSION TO COMFORT SHELTER ANIMALS THROUGH MUSIC ONE NOTE AT A TIME
6th grader, Yuvi Agarwal, was recently featured on the cover of the Energy Living Corridor Magazine! Read the article to learn about his journey!
Wild Tunes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to soothing shelter animals through the power of music It was founded by Yuvi Agarwal, an animal lover and musician, when he was 10 years old. Wild Tunes has received extensive news coverage on prominent platforms such as ABC’s Good Morning America, USA Today, The Messenger, KHOU-TV, KPRC-TV, and Southern Living, among others
HOW DOES MUSIC HELP ANIMALS?
Given their challenging circumstances, animals in shelters can be anxious Studies show that melodious music can reduce cortisol levels and have a therapeutic effect, slowing an animal’s heartbeat and reducing anxiety This calming effect helps readjust them to human company, making it easier for them to relax, meet potential adopters, and find loving homes
WHICH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ARE BEST SUITED?
Research shows that animals enjoy classical, soft rock, jazz, and country music Keyboard, string instruments such as violin and guitar, or wind instruments such as flute among others are well suited.
To join the club at The Village School, click here.
BorninTrinidad&Tobago,thesteelpanistheonlychromaticinstrumenttohave beeninventedinallofthe20thcentury Ithasabeautiful,uniquesoundthatcanbe translatedacrossmanygenresfromcalypso,soca,pop,hip-hop,andjazz When severalsteelpansareplayedtogether,theycreateasteelband,resultinginhighenergy,dance-contagiousmusic!
Excitingopportunityopento5thgradeandup!Nopercussionexperienceneeded Classesarejust$10eachandwillstartattheendofSeptember Therewillbetwo sessions:oneforstudentsfrom2:30-4:00PM,followedbyalaterclassforparents! Comejointhefun!
Filloutourinterestformtogetstarted,andnopriormusicalexperienceisnecessary! Foranyinquiries,emailBensonKwanatbensenkwan@gmailcom
ART NEWS
SEE THE PEP BAND ON OCT. 3RD!
Pep Band has grown this year! Barbara Silva Bastidas and Kaeden Haeger have been our new drum majors! See them in action at our next game, Oct 3rd at 3L30pm on the football field!
THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY COMING SOON!
Mr Blair is starting a theatre honor society for the high school. The International Thespian Society is the world’s largest honor society. We will be setting up the first ever troupe at Village.
SAVE THE DATE FOR ALADDIN JR.
Reheaarsals for Aladdin aare underway, and the cast is doing a great job! Please join us on Dec. 13th and 14th in the Black Box.
12/13 7pm 12/14 2pm and 7pm
Tickets wiil be available at the beginning of Nov
VILLAGE SCHOOL CHOIR SINGS AT SPACE COWBOYS
The choir had the honor of singing the national anthem at Constellation Field this week ahead of the Space Cowboys' first championship game of the season. Their beautiful rendition helped inspire the home team to victory over Reno.
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
FTC TEAMS AT VILLAGE SCHOOL
KICK OFF THEIR SEASON!
We're thrilled to announce that the FTC teams at Village School have embarked on their new season, with a total of five strong teams ready to take on the challenges ahead. We can’t wait to see the creativity, teamwork, and innovation they will bring to the competition! Let’s cheer them on as they navigate their robotics journey!
STEM/ROBOTICS NEWS
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE (FTC) OVERVIEW
What is FTC?
The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a robotics competition for students in grades 7–12. Teams design, build, and program robots to compete in alliance formats against other teams. FTC is part of the larger FIRST robotics program, which includes other initiatives like FIRST Lego League (FLL) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
Competition Structure:
The competition includes local qualifiers, regional tournaments, and culminates in the FIRST Championship Each season kicks off with a themed game announcement, guiding teams in robot design and community outreach Teams can win awards for robot performance and community engagement.
Robot and Programming:
FTC robots are Android-based and can be programmed using Java, Kotlin, and other Android systems. Teams work under the guidance of coaches to strategize and apply engineering principles.
Competition Details:
Teams advance through competitions by winning matches or earning awards. The competition season runs from September to April, with various tournaments leading up to the World Championship. Matches are structured into autonomous and driver-controlled periods, culminating in an endgame where teams can score additional points
Judging and Awards:
Judging occurs through team presentations, interviews, and engineering portfolios Awards like the Inspire Award recognize teams excelling in various aspects of FIRST, including outreach and design.
Core Values:
FTC promotes "Gracious Professionalism," encouraging collaboration and respect among teams.
Events and Advancement:
Teams qualify for the World Championship based on performance at local and regional events, with changes made to the advancement criteria over the years to ensure fair competition
Award Categories:
Awards recognize teams for outstanding achievements in design, outreach, and overall excellence, helping to elevate the quality of the competition and foster a supportive community.
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!
FUN-RAISING
EARLY BIRD SHOPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Thisholidayseason,VillageEnrichmentisthrilledtopartnerwithBrookwoodtobringsomefestivecheertoourVillagecommunity withtheirstunningredpoinsettias!Brookwood,anonprofitbasedinBrookshire,Texas,providesadultswithdisabilitiesthechanceto engageinmeaningfulwork,developvaluableskills,andleadfulfillinglives Throughtheirenterprisesinhorticulture,retail,and manufacturing,Brookwoodcreatesemploymentopportunitiesthatsupportitscitizenswhilegeneratingincomefortheirprograms Youcanalsovisittheirwonderfulgiftshop,enjoyamealattheBrookwoodCafé,exploretheirgardencenter,ortakeaguidedtourof thefacilities
Brookwoodisfamousforitspoinsettiaproduction,cultivatingaround50,000plantsannually!Bypurchasingthesebeautiful poinsettias,notonlyareyouhelpingtofundBrookwood'sinspiringmission,butyou’realsosupportingVillageEnrichment’seffortsto provideresourcesforfinearts,speech&debate,athletics,andSTEM/roboticsatVillageSchool Thisisyourchancetocontributetotwo incrediblecausesthisholidayseason!
Didyouknowthat65%ofFortune500companiesoffera matchinggiftprogram,andsomecompaniesevendouble, triple,orquadrupledonations!Asa501(c)(3)nonprofit,Village Enrichmentqualifiesformostcorporatematchingprograms Matchinggiftsareatypeofgivingprogramsetupby companiesandcorporationsasanemployeebenefit Employee matchinggiftsaredonationsanemployermakestomatchits employees'charitablecontributions Afteranemployeedonates toanonprofit,theycansubmitamatchinggiftrequesttotheir employerandthecompanywillmakeanadditionaldonationto thatnonprofit Matchinggiftprogramsincentivizeacompany's employeestogivebacktotheircommunityandsupporttheir employees'philanthropicendeavors
Goto“MyAccount”atthetop rightcornerandclickon “CommunityRewards” For mobileapp,clickon“Rewards” then“CommunityRewards”
SearchforTheVillageSchool EnrichmentOrganizationorenter codePJ550andClick“Enroll”
EachtimeyoushopatanyKrogersstore,aportionofyour purchaseisgivenbacktouswhichhelpssupport extracurricularprogramsforstudentsandteachersatThe VillageSchool AttheverybottomofyourKrogerreceipt,itwill showyouarelinkedtoourorganization Youmustrenewthe organizationselectionevery12months ThankyouforsupportingourVillagecommunity!