-Coach Tabitha Christy
Dance Teams shine at Nationals
ES Intramural basketball teams debut
Winter sports highlights
Speech & Debate win big at Harvard and Stanford
Traveling and performing with Fine Arts
Fine Arts students receive recognition and awards
Dear Viking Community,
The Village School Enrichment Organization (VSEO) is delighted to extend a warm welcome to you as we introduce our nonprofit newsletter, Enrich! As valued members of our community, we wanted to create a platform that not only keeps you informed about the happenings within our organization but also fosters a sense of connection and engagement.
Enrich aims to be your monthly updates on our programs, events, and initiatives Through this newsletter, you'll gain insight into the impact of your support and involvement in our mission We'll share student success stories, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways you can contribute to our cause.
Our goal is to ensure that you feel informed and empowered to participate in the various aspects of our nonprofit's activities. Whether you join us for our monthly Spirit Day events or purchase tickets to the highly anticipated Masquerade Gala featuring entertainment by Magician Ben Jackson and exhilarating auctions, there are countless opportunities for you to engage and have a positive impact on our school community. Your participation not only adds to the excitement of these events but also directly supports our programs and initiatives.
As we look ahead, we're thrilled to announce some exciting initiatives in the pipeline Thanks to the support and generosity of our community, we've been able to initiate funding for several programs that will greatly enhance the student experience at The Village School
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to journeying together through the pages of Enrich!
Warm regards,
Josephine Hanh Mai VSEO Board PresidentDonna
Asaregistered501(c)(3)nonprofit,theVillageSchoolEnrichment Organization’smissionistosupportTheVillageSchoolintheareas ofacademicsincludingSpeechandDebate,thearts,andathletics beyondtheclassroom TheVillageSchoolEnrichmentOrganization supportsinnovativeprogramsandexperiencestohelpstudents gainalargersenseoftheircommunity
VSEOplaysavitalroleinsupportingover30programsatVillage, ensuringthatourstudentshaveaccesstoresourcesand opportunitiesthatenhancetheireducationaljourney VSEO’s fundraisingeffortsenableustocoveressentialexpenses,including: Costumes,instruments,andequipmentforourfinearts programs
Sportsequipmentforourathleticteams
Guestspeakers,masterclasses,andeducationalworkshops Localandtraveltournamentcostsforourcompetitiveteams
Hotelandtransportationexpensesforoff-campusevents EverydonationmadetoVSEOisavaluableinvestmentinthe successandwell-beingofourstudents We'reproudtoinformyou thatcontributionstoVSEOareeligibleforcharitabletaxdeductions
VillageSchoolEnrichmentOrganizationEINTaxIDNumber931897524
Wearethrilledtosharesomeexcitingideaswithyouregardingwaysto leverageVSEO'snonprofitstatustoraisemorefundsinsupportofour studentsandteachers!Belowaresomeoftheideaswe'vebeenworking on,andwewouldbehappytodiscusshowyoucanraisefundsforyour program:
SpiritNights:Hostspecialthemednightsatlocalrestaurantsor businesseswhereapercentageoftheproceedsgoestowardsthe cause It'safunwayforthecommunitytocometogetherand supportthemission
PartnershipswithLocalBusinesses: Forgepartnershipswithlocal businessestoreceivemonetarydonationsormerchandisethatcan beusedforfundraisingeventsorauctions Thisnotonlybenefitsour organizationbutalsostrengthenstieswithinthecommunity
Sales-TaxExemption:Learnhowyoucanuseoursales-tax exemptionwhenpurchasingfoodorproductsforfundraisingevents Thiscansignificantlyreducecostsandmaximizetheimpactofyour fundraisingefforts
InnovativeFundraisingIdeas:Explorecreativewaystoraisemoney, whetherit'sthroughsponsoredeventsoronlineauctions,we're constantlybrainstormingnewideastoengageourcommunityand generatesupport,andwe’dbehappytoshareourideasandalso welcomeanyideasyoumighthave
TheHighSchoolSpiritTeamareNationalChampions!They placedinalloftheirteamcategories,andthecombinedtotal scorewasenoughforthemtobecrownedwinnersoutofmore than600routinesoverthecourseofthecompetition
CongratulationsalsogototheMiddleSchoolSpiritTeamwho competedintheirveryfirstNationalsDanceCompetitionand placed2ndinHipHop,2ndinPoms,and3rdforContemporary BothteamsgottocelebrateinstyleatDisneyWorldResort Florida Allthehardworkfromthecoachesandathletes contributedtothesuccessofthispowerhouseprogram!
VikingVikingsEliteInstagram
TheElementarySchoolIntramuralBasketballTeamsmade theirdebutandplayedtheirfirstgameonFeb 24th Students havebeenpracticingwiththehelpofvolunteerparentsaswell ashighschoolerswhohelpedasrefereesforthegames The VillageSchoolEnrichmentOrganizationisexcitedtofundthe programbyprovidingequipment,uniformsjerseysforplayers andreferees,andastipendforCoachGarySmithwhorunsthe program Welookforwardtomoreintramuralsportsbeing offeredinelementaryandmiddleschoolandsupportingthe athleticsprogramacrossalldivisions!
CongratulationstoourincredibleLadyVikingsBasketballTeam fortheiroutstandingvictoryattheRegionalTAPPS competition,securingtheirseatattheTAPPSFinalFourforthe 5thtimeinschoolhistory!Theirhardwork,dedication,and teamworkhavetrulypaidoff,andwecouldn'tbeprouderof eachandeveryoneofthem Keepshiningbrightonthecourt andinspiringusallwithyourpassionforthegame Goteam! #Champions#TAPPS#GirlsBasketball #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
TheSwimTeamtraveledtoSanAntoniofortheTAPPSState ChampionshipandtheBoysfinishedsecondoverall,Girlstook homefourthandVillageswimmersamassedanimpressive totalof:6goldmedals,8silvermedals,5bronzemedals,10 schoolrecords,25totaltop10finishes
CongratulationstotheBoysandGirlsSoccerTeamswhohada strongseasonandshowedcommitmentandperseverancethis year Theycelebratedtheseniorswithaheartwarming ceremonyonthefieldandwelookforwardtoseeingourViking studentssucceedintheirfuture VillageTeamsInstagram
What'sthenumberoneskillemployerslookforinfuture employees?Communication!Whetherit’sajobapplicationora collegeapplication,studentscanhighlighttheskillsthey practicedduringtheirtimeinspeechanddebate Readthis articlehere(pp.8-11)tolearnhowspeech,debate,theater,and filmactivitiespreparestudentsforcollegeandcareer
OnFeb 16-20,theVillageHighSchoolSpeechandDebateteam appliedwhattheylearnedinspeechanddebateandhadthe mostsuccessfulresultstodateattheHarvardNational Tournamentwhichsaw462schoolsand4912studentsin attendance Sendingmultiplestudentstofinalroundsatsucha large,competitive,andprestigiouseventisanamazing accomplishment
OurseniorsfinishedtheirHarvardexperienceinwonderful fashion,breakingVillagerecordsbyreceivingsecondplacein thenationintheirrespectiveevents SolemeiScamaroni continueshersuccessasoneofthenation'sleadingspeakersin OriginalOratoryandAdelineMaideliveredapowerful performanceinProgramOralInterpretation,earninghera second-placefinish CalebAnsteesucceededinbothDramatic andHumorousInterpretationreachingtheSemi-Finalsand Quarterfinalsrespectivelyinhisevents TanmayRaiimpressed withhisachievementofmakingtheQuarterfinalsinthe CongressionalDebateforthesecondstraightyear Selina ZhangbroketoTripleOcto-Finalsinanintensefieldcompeting intheLincolnDouglasDebateandwasthe26th-ranked speakeroutof254entriesfromaroundthenation
CongratulationstotheHSSpeechandDebateTeamfor continuingtobreakrecords!Theydominatedthecompetition attheKerrSpeechandDebateTournamentasVillagereceived the1stPlaceSweepstakesTrophyfortheveryfirsttimeinthe school’shistorymeaningourstudentsreceivedthehighest numberofpointsasateam!Congratulationstothefollowing studentswhoreceivedthefollowingawards:
CalebAnstee-BestActorAward(InterpEvents) SameerAggarwal-BestSpeakerAward(PlatformEvents) TanmayRai-MostOutstandingSpeakerAward(Debate)
CongratulationstothesestudentswhoCHAMPIONEDintheir events:TanmayRai(Congress),SameerAggarwal(Impromptu Speaking),EmmaKay(OriginalOratory),AdelineMai&Tristan Mai(DuetActing),AdelineMai&SolemeiScamaroni(Duo Interpretation),CalebAnstee(HumorousInterpretation),Caleb Anstee(ProgramOralInterpretation)
AdvikaSadasivancompetedwiththeUSADebateTeamonFeb 8thatthe39thAnnualStanfordInvitational,representingThe VillageSchool,andchampionedinWorldSchoolsDebate She isalsoaseniorandhasbeenacceptedtoStanfordUniversity andplanstomajorinPublicPolicyorEconomicswithaminor inEarthSystems Weareimmenselyproudofherdedication, skill,andsuccessfulrepresentationofVillage!TheUSADebate Teamwasfeaturedinthismonth’sNSDARostrumnewsletter withhelpfulpracticeandcompetitiontipshere(pp.52-53)
Since2013,theNationalSpeech&DebateAssociationhas assumedresponsibilityfortheUSADebateTeam,choosingthe bestdebatersinthecountrytorepresenttheUnitedStatesin internationalcompetitions
TeamUSAfeaturesahighlyaccomplishedanddedicated coachingstaff Thesecoacheshavedeeprootsinthecontent andstyleofWorldSchoolsDebateandworkwiththeteamto acclimatethedebaterstotheevent
ThemissionofUSADebateistojointheglobalpromotionof freeandcivildiscourse,fosterinternationalcooperationand education,aswellasdemonstratecompetitiveexcellenceand nationalpride
Withover60members,theVMSisgrowinginsizeandstrengthasoneof thetopschoolsinthemiddleschoolspeechanddebatecircuit On February23rd&24th,TheVMSSpeechandDebateTeamcompetedatthe OlleOwlInvitationalSpeechandDebateTournamentatOlleMiddle School,andtheyplaced2ndintheOverallTeamSweepstakes Competition!CongratulationstoDiyaBennywhoreceivedtheAmber Bonner-MackeySpiritAward!Congratulationstothefollowingstudents whoplacedfirstintheirevents:InayaRahim(LincolnDouglas),KabirRai (ExtemporaneousSpeaking),andJaanashSandhu(TVCommercial)
TheDirectorofSpeechandDebateatOlleMSwhoisalsotheMiddle SchoolStateTournamentCoordinatingCommitteeChair,George Tennison,wasfeaturedinthismonth’sNSDARostrumnewsletter Youcan readhisfascinatinginterviewhere(pp 48-49)ashespeaksabout strugglingwithshynessandovercomingaspeechimpedimentandwhat hehaslearnedabouttheimportanceofspeechanddebateprogramsin his23yearsasacoach
OnJanuary13th,tenofourVMSSpeechTeamVikingstraveledtothe Seattleareatocompeteintheirfirsthighschooltournamentofthe season!ThetournamentwasaNIETOC/TOC(TournamentofChampions) qualifier,sothereweresomeextremelytalentedhighschoolstudents fromacrossthecountryinattendanceaswell Congratulationstothese studentswhoplaced1stintheirevents:SaishaDavinder(RadioSpeaking& Storytelling),andViolaGiudici(Declamation)
Weareextremelyproudofallourstudentswhocompetedanddidafine jobrepresentingVillage Toseethecompletelistofawardsandwinnersfor bothtournaments,clickhere
TheJazzEnsembletraveledtoNewOrleansfromJanuary19-21 HighlightsofthetripincludedamasterclasswiththeHeadof JazzStudiesGordonTowellatLoyolaUniversity,aperformance atMardiGrasWorld,andviewingjazzperformancesat PreservationHallandontheSteamboatNatchez The percussionistsevengotanimpromptudrumlessononhowto doaMardiGrasbeatfromtheinhousedrummer!Justforfun, wetookaswamptournorthofNOLAandgottofeed marshmallowstoracoonsthatlivedintheswamp,andfinishoff thetripwithbeignetsatCafeduMondeandatriptothe incredibleWorldWarIImuseum
Choir,Band,andOrchestrarepresentedVillageatanamazing performanceatUniversalandworkshopsatDisney Applying andworkingtowardsthisperformancehelpedlotsofstudent growththroughtheprocess Wearesoproudofthestudents!
Thefirst-placewinnerofourAll-SchoolCompetitionwill advanceasTheVillageSchool’sEntryforthecombinedage groupof6th,7th,and8thgradeonaglobalscalebetweenall NordAngliaSchools Studentswerechallengedtocreatepieces communicatingthemesofwater Theirgoalwastorepurpose plastic,trash,orotherrecycledmaterialsintotheartwork bringingattentiontothecurrentstateandhealthofour oceans Judgesrankedtheartworkthatbestrepresentedthe themeandcommunicatedthemessageofthecompetitionthe strongest Theaestheticsandqualityoftheartworkwerealso consideredintherankings Thefollowingstudentsarethe winnersofthein-schoolcompetitionattheMiddleSchoollevel
1stPlaceandAdvancingintotheGlobalCompetition:Abigail Lowery,7thGrade
2ndPlace:AnorahMolla,6thGrade
3rdPlace:MatildeLaRottaPinzon,6thGrade
4thPlace:PedroMoretti,7thGrade
5thPlacex2:MonneliMojarrad6thGrade,Haorui(Sam)Wu6th Grade
HonorableMentions: •ElisabettaPansecchi7thGrade,JiaruiZhang7thGrade,
BigcongratulationstoKingstonYeh,ourtalented7thgrader, forplacing1stwithhisstunningartworkattheContemporary CultureArtContest!Hiscreativityandvisionhavetruly captivatedusall Wehopehecontinuestoexpresshimself throughartandinspireotherswithhisincredibletalent Wayto go,Kingston!
CongratulationstotheFineArtsT-shirtdesignerZihan(Alinda) Xu!Youmaychooset-shirt,hoodie,crewneck,orall3
Pleasefilloutaseparateformforeachchild Theywilldeliverto yourstudent’shomeroomorfineartsteacheronceshirtsare delivered Purchasemerchhere
ThissaleisfromtheVillageSchoolParentGroup,Friendsof FineArts(FOFA)
SaleendsonFridayApril12th
AnnouncingthelaunchoftheWildTunesClub–agroupof talentedmusiciansdedicatedtoenrichingthelivesofshelter animalsthroughmusic IncelebratingNationalChangeaPet’s LifeDay,studentscommittedtovolunteeringtheirtimeand musicaltalenttobenefittheseneglectedanimals
WildTunesisaprogramstartedby10-year-oldYuviAgarwal,an animalloverandtalentedmusician,tosootheshelteranimals throughmusic Studentscanearnvolunteerservicehourstoo!
Tolearnmoreandtoregister,visitwww.wildtunes.org
PleasejoinusonWednesday,April24th,tohearthewinnersof theSoloandEnsembleContestperformtheirwinningpieces YoucanhearthetracksfromtheSongwritingcontestonthe providedlinkorQRcodeontheannouncement Thankyoufor yoursupport,andcongratulationstothewinners!
HugeCongratulationstoOrchestraMember AndyWuforAchievingTMEAALL-State Recognition!
Weareexcitedtosharethewonderfulnews thatsophomorecellistAndyWu,adedicated andtalentedmemberofourorchestra,has earnedaplaceintheesteemedTexasMusic EducatorsAssociation(TMEA)All-State Orchestra All-Stateisthehighesthonora Texasmusicstudentcanreceive 1,830 studentsareselectedthroughaprocessthat beginswithover70,000studentsfromaround thestatevyingforthishonortoperforminone of18ensemblessponsoredbytheBand, Orchestra,andVocalDivisions This recognitionisatestamenttohishardwork, dedication,andmusicalexcellence
AndyrepresentedourschoolinSanAntonio onFebruary11–12,participatingalongsidethe mosttalentedstudentmusiciansfromacross Texas Thisisasignificantaccomplishmentin hismusicaljourney,andweareincredibly proudofhim
PleasejoinusincongratulatingAndyWuon thisoutstandingachievement!
FEB 27 - PARIS BAGUETTE
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING
MAR 19 - MOD PIZZA
APR 13 - THE GALA
APR 16 - CHIPOTLE
MAY 2 - RAISING CANE’S
