Significantly CSG

CSG celebrates Class of 2023 with Convocation

At the end of August, our community joined together for Convocation, our annual event honoring graduating seniors and celebrating the start of a new school year. Middle School Student Council President Lailah Lomax ’27 and Upper School Student Council President C.C. McLarty ’23 spoke to students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and families. Speaking from the heart, both students talked about their gratitude for CSG’s strong community. C.C. shared that the continued sense of community she feels daily at CSG was what made her most look forward to the start of a new school year. Lailah shared her excitement surrounding the new academic year, as well as her gratitude for new additions to the CSG community, such as Head of School Camille Seals.

Form X student accepted to Ohio Music Education Association South Central Regional Orchestra

Form IV student wins at MLK Oratorical Contest

Mia Dela

Violinist Mia Dela Cruz ’25 this past September was accepted into the Ohio Music Association South Central Regional Orchestra for the 2022 season. The orchestra is composed of high school musicians from all over central Ohio. Mia, along with her peers, performed at Upper Arlington High School on November 20.

After competing in the City of Columbus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical on Saturday, December 3, Jasmine Davis ’31 won in the Intermediate Division for grades three through five. The 2023 theme for the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission is “Bridging the Divide: Daring to Dream Again.” Davis and other students who competed shared original orations. As a winner, she will also have the opportunity to compete in the Statewide MLK Youth Oratorical Contest in late spring, and she also shared her piece at the CSG MLK Program Friday, January 13.

Form IX student places second in state competition

In March, Anabanel Anne ’26 placed second in the state Poetry Out Loud competition, a national arts education program that helps students foster self confidence and public speaking skills. Anabanel represented our school at the Central Ohio Regionals for Poetry Out Loud in February before proceeding to the state tournament. Anabanel recited Caged Bird by Maya Angelou, Friendship After Love by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and Come Back by Rocket Caleshu.

CSG hosts community-wide discussion for Big Table event

Middle School students lead Hispanic Heritage Assembly

On Thursday, October 6, Columbus School for Girls hosted a panel of Columbus-area professionals for a roundtable discussion on the ways in which we prepare girls and young women to develop the confidence necessary to find their voice and know their power. The event was part of a larger, community-wide initiative for October 6 organized by the Columbus Foundation called The Big Table that’s centered on cooperative action in the central Ohio region. CSG joined thousands of people from different backgrounds who participated in countless conversations to discuss how our larger community can create an environment of kindness and connectivity. At CSG, the conversation centered around working to help girls and young women find the tools they need to have a seat at the table. Participants discussed Ohio’s strengths for girls and young women and what steps our community needs to take to meet their needs. They also discussed how women are supported in their own places of work.

Author and actor Maulik Pancholy visits CSG

In October, author and actor Maulik Pancholy visited CSG. Pancholy, who has worked on 30 Rock among other TV shows, has also written the novels The Best at It and Nikhil Out Loud. At CSG, Pancholy gave a presentation to students and also led a writing workshop on storytelling.

On Thursday, October 13, Middle School students enjoyed a student-led Hispanic Heritage Month assembly. Two Form VIII Latinx students, Gabriela Papadakis ’27 and Tessa Steere ’27, took initiative and asked their Spanish teacher to lead the presentation; they planned and prepared a fantastic and informative assembly about Latinx culture and traditions. They also enlisted the help of their peers to highlight the lives of many influential Latinas and their contributions. It was a wonderful experience and celebration of identities and a true example of students sharing their stories and experiences.

Upper School students present The Mousetrap

In October, Upper School students put on the beloved Agatha Christie play, The Mousetrap. The play, the longest running one in history, tells the story of a group of strangers stranded in a hotel during a blizzard who must solve a whodunit mystery after one of them is murdered.

Middle School students selected to perform in Ohio Music Educators Association event

Six Middle School band members were chosen to represent CSG at this year’s Ohio Music Educators Association District 15 Middle School Honor Band.

Sydney Poindexter ’27 (oboe), Reese Kessler ’27 (clarinet), Quinn Aubert ’27 (percussion), Zoe Keeling ’28 (clarinet), Erin McCormick ’28 (percussion), and Simone Dean ’28 (French Horn) spent Saturday, November 12 at Thomas Worthington High School with the best 7th and 8th grade band students in all of Columbus, working with two of Columbus’ best Middle School band directors. After reporting to check in that day, they rehearsed together from 8:30am to 3:30pm, prepared three tough pieces of music, and performed at the 4:00pm concert for family and friends.

Upper School students visit Cleveland and Washington, D.C.

In November, Form X and XI students departed Columbus for learning opportunities that augmented what they were doing in the classroom. Form XI students saw multiple live theater performances and had the opportunity to talk to professional casts and crews. After studying Romeo & Juliet for the prior month, the students met with the Great Lakes Theater cast about the art of acting and the intricacies of Shakespeare. Form X, which missed their D.C. trip due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally had the opportunity to visit, seeing locations that they studied in their American Literature and History classes. Their itinerary included visits to the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, the National Museum of American History, and more.

PYC, Lower School, and Upper School students meet writer Hanif Abdurraqib

On December 8, Hanif Abdurraqib, a music critic, essayist, and poet who has received critical acclaim for his work from such outlets as The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, visited our campus and talked to our PYC, Lower School, and Upper School students. Abdurraqib met with Upper School students in the AJS Theater and later moved into the lobby to read his book, Sing, Aretha, Sing! to 5/6 students and several Lower School classes. Abdurraqib, who graduated from Beechcroft High School here in Columbus, was awarded the MacArthur Foundation genius grant last year. He has written about music and has also crafted poetry addressing the themes of race, class, and politics. His most recent book, published in 2021, is called A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance.

Upper School Golf earns second place in MSL

The Upper School Golf team had a strong showing this season, placing second in the Mid-State League. Emma Kim ’23 had a strong season, earning a spot in the Golf State Final and finishing in 6th place out of 71 competing. Four players also earned All MSL honors:

• Emma Kim ’23 - 1st Team

• Madi Kim ’24 - 2nd Team

• Clara Faulkner ’25 - Honorable Mention

• Kristina Ma ’25 - MSL Player of the Year and 1st Team MSL

Upper School Soccer sets season record

Upper School Soccer had a regular season record of 11-4, their best in recorded history. The team scored 66 goals in 17 games, with only 10 goals scored against them. The Unicorns were the No. 4 seed in their tournament and hosted the first District Semifinal in program history. Team members also earned individual honors:

• Annie Wagenbrenner ’23 - 2nd Team All Metro by the Columbus Dispatch, 2nd Team All State by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association, 1st Team OHSAA Division III Central District, 1st Team

All MSL

• Jameson Pillifant ’24 - 2nd team OHSAA Division III Central District, 1st Team All MSL

• Allie Salamon ’24 - 2nd Team OHSAA Division III Central District

• Madeline Hansen ’24 - 2nd Team OHSAA Division III Central District

• Lily Kern ’24 - 2nd Team OHSAA Division III Central District

• Carmen Albrecht ’23 and Gillian Spangler ’25 - Honorable Mention OHSAA Division III Central District

Upper School Field Hockey Team earns honors

The Upper School Field Hockey Team had the opportunity to practice and play on a brand new turf field at Kirk Campus, giving them an important competitive edge.

The following players earned accolades this season:

• Jacey Cassandra ’23 - 2nd Team All League East

• Sarah Alexander ’24 - Honorable Mention All League East

Middle School Volleyball ranks in MSL top five

Middle School’s Volleyball Gold Team ranked third in the Mid-State League, earned its first win against Grandview Heights, and won a thrilling three-set match at home against Columbus Academy during their season. The Volleyball Red Team ranked fourth in the MSL, made it to the semifinals of the MSL tournament, and took a set from the No.1 ranked Buckeye Valley during a home game.

Upper School Cross Country Qualifies for OHSAA Regionals

Upper School Cross Country’s season was marked by a win at the Columbus Academy Invitational, which they earned by beating the Vikings in a tie. Our Unicorns won the Erin Nance Pack Award at the Erin Nance Invitational and qualified for the OHSAA regional meet as a team, placing 8th out of 18 teams. The following runners earned accolades this season:

• Mira Martin ’24 - 1st Team All MSL

• Ella Chomic ’24 - 1st Team All MSL

• Grace Chomic ’24 - 2nd Team All MSL

• Grace Chapman ’26 - 2nd Team All MSL

• Lauren LaRochelle ’25 - Honorable Mention All MSL

• Chloe Brooks ’25 - Honorable Mention All MSL

In early November, Mira Martin ’24 also competed in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championships, held at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park.

CSG Tennis places 2nd in the MSL

CSG’s Tennis Team this season placed 2nd overall in the Mid-State League with a 6-1 record. The team had five district qualifiers and a combined Varsity and Junior Varsity record of 25-5.

The following students also received All MSL honors:

• Lanie Klatt ’23 - 1st Team

• Victoria Dizon ’26 - 2nd Team

• Annahita Riazi ’23 - 2nd Team

• Priya Mehta ’26 - Honorable Mention

Middle School Soccer makes it to championship in end-of-season tournament

Middle School Soccer had a strong season, making it to the final round in their end-of-season tournament. During their regular season, the team beat Hamilton Township and Hilliard Heritage by several goals and also beat Groveport twice in two weeks.

Middle School Cross Country earns 2nd place finish at MSL Championship

Middle School Cross Country ran their hearts out this fall. The team was competitive in every meet including 1st place finishes at the Farmbanks Invitational at Fairbanks High School and the Viking Invitational at Columbus Academy. The team ended their incredible season with a 2nd place finish at the MSL Championship with all five scoring runners finishing in the top 14, including a 2nd place finish by Maggie Carney ’28 and a 5th place finish by Lucia Furci ’28.