around LA
LA at a Glance Winterim Winterim, one of the hallmarks of the LA experience, is the highly anticipated block of intensive two-week courses offered each March. Courses offered include a vast array of unique opportunities such as mountain biking, pottery making, community service in the Dominican Republic, and learning American Sign Language. Students relish the opportunity to focus on one particular interest or discipline for two weeks. “The options are endless,” one student remarked. “They really get you to think about trying something new.” Student Writers Published There is arguably nothing that makes an English teacher prouder than when one of her students’ written work finds a wider audience than the classroom. Two students in Department Chair Laura Moore’s English class recently experienced the thrill of having their pieces accepted for publication. Freshman Jenny Noh was awarded a silver key in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and senior Sydney Bagley received recognition for her writing in the online journal Teen Ink. A boarder from South Korea, Noh wrote a very personal essay about the challenges she has faced of learning a second language. Bagley’s piece, “First Impressions,” “is a short story that I wrote for Honors Writing. It portrays a defeated character who is tired of pleasing everyone, yet that’s all she knows how to do.” CCS Welcomes WBZ’s Steve Burton As part of the Cultural Coffeehouse series, WBZ sportscaster Steve Burton recently came to campus and addressed parents, students, and faculty who packed into the Recital Hall for a captivating discussion about race and sports. Mr. Burton shared personal stories about his childhood, schooling years, experiences as an athlete, and work as a broadcaster. He engaged the students and adults alike, keeping his remarks short, and he invited three volunteers to try their hand at doing a “live” stand-up news report. His ability to connect with students has to do not only with his affable nature and easy-going style, but also with his real-world experiences. His description of his family and their support of him as he made his way in the world, first as an athlete and then as a sports journalist, captivated and inspired the audience. Beach Day On May 24, with their high school studies completed, the Class of 2012 enjoyed a beautiful day at Salisbury Beach to celebrate one of their last times together as an entire class. With serious issues left behind, the camaraderie was great and the weather cooperated for a fantastic cookout and lots of fun with football, Frisbee, swimming, and playing in the sand.
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day On Wednesday, April 25, junior Josh Fyffe’s grandmother, Anna Cohen, was one of 135 current grandparents to come to campus for a glimpse into the daily lives of their grandchildren. Mr. Foster greeted the grandparents saying, “Grandparents help to keep life’s ups and downs and highs and lows in perspective because they have a longer view and broader perspective that helps parents and their children maintain balance.” Grandparents were able to see firsthand how LA’s faculty members approach the art of teaching as they accompanied their grandchildren to their regularly scheduled classes.
ACADEMY JOURNAL / FALL 2012
24
