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The Highlands
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A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF HIGHLANDS LATIN SCHOOL
Winter 2018
HLS students sang Christmas carols in front of CHBC on Dec. 2 for participants of the "Santa Sprint & Stroll" presented by the Frankfort Avenue Business Association.
Dear HLS Families, “How much longer?” Generations of parents have probably heard this familiar question at some point on a long trip. The honest answer depends on your location, while the sarcastic answer depends on the frequency of the question! As I stated previously, a school year is our journey together. The 2017 portion of our school year is in the past, but the second half of our venture has just begun. The start of most trips is filled with excitement and eagerness; it is the midway point when questions of doubt creep into our consciousness and we begin to ask, “How much longer?” I am reminded of a speech by Mrs. Lowe in which she likened the pursuit of a classical, Christian education to that of climbing a mountain. Standing at the foot and preparing for the ascent can be enticing, exciting, and romantic. We can envision ourselves at the top of the mountain best before the journey. However, the actual task of climbing the mountain is real. It can be monotonous and strenuous. The top of the mountain is hard to see when you are on the trail. Is there a more confusing place than the midway point in a journey? You are halfway there! But then again, you are only halfway there. “How much longer?” Crescent Hill Campus 2800 Frankfort Avenue
Spring Meadows Campus 10901 Shelbyville Road
ADMINISTRATION Cheryl Lowe......................................Founder Shawn Wheatley....................Head of School Kelly Booker......Principal of Spring Meadows Matthew Dickie...Upper School Asst. Principal Jason Borah....Grammar School Asst. Principal Lyndsay Magar............Director of Admissions Sean Brooks.....Director of the House System Jennifer Bowen.................College Counselor Mary Melchior.........................Office Manager Mary Dick..................Administrative Assistant
What if we stopped thinking about the top of the mountain? What if we began our journey knowing that the mountain would never be summited? “How much longer?” would become an irrelevant question. Come to think of it, Mrs. Lowe never revealed what was at the “top” of this classical, Christian mountain. She did not believe we should strive to individually stand on the peak, but rather that we should relish in the journey, the progress, the fellowship, the struggle, the successes. The journey with friends is the reward! This May the seniors will meet in the sanctuary of the Crescent Hill Baptist Church to practice the graduation ceremony. It is then students directly ask, “How much longer?,” not because they are weary or ready to finish, but because they understand their climb as a class is coming to an end. They helped each other every step of the way. They may not have all reached the same point, but their ascent could not have been accomplished without one another. So they look at their diplomas, and the familiar sanctuary, and reflect on their experience together with tearful eyes because they just want this moment to last a little bit longer. Thank you HLS parents, students, and teachers for trusting in Highlands Latin School and for walking together. The second half of this school year will conclude soon enough. Strive to do your best, help one another, and enjoy the journey. Sincerely, Shawn Wheatley Head of School
HLS DRAMA TROUPE PERFORMS THE CURIOUS SAVAGE, PREPARES FOR UPCOMING MUSIC MAN The HLS Drama Troupe presented The Curious Savage, a comedic play written by John Patrick about an elderly woman whose deceased husband left her a large sum of money, on Nov. 10-11. The cast included eleven students, and twenty worked solely on the set, including costuming, advertising, lights, and sound. Less than a month later, Mrs. Boling, HLS Drama Director, hosted auditions for the upcoming spring musical, Music Man, written by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey about a con man who convinces the people of River City, Iowa, to buy uniforms and instruments for a band he vows to organize. “We have a cast of nearly fifty students, and a set team of ten with a few of those also on the cast. We have five other students involved in costuming, advertising, stage management, tech work, etc. So there are a total of 65 students involved in this show,” said Mrs. Boling.
Seated from left, Ethan Frizzell (9th), Helen Mariah Murdoch (12th), and Judah Murdoch (9th) play Jeffrey, Fairy May, and Hannibal in the November performance of The Curious Savage. (In back, seniors India Rose Cary and Katelyn Miller play Mrs. Ethel P. Savage and Florence Williams.)
Seniors Maggie Roy, Helen Mariah Murdoch, and Katelyn Miller enjoy learning the music in preparation for their roles as Mrs. Paroo, Eulalie Shinn, and Marian Paroo. The song “Shipoopi,” they say, has been stuck in their heads from rehearsal. As well, Mrs. Boling says, the set team has been hard at work building benches and a footbridge, as well as designing artwork for a “special component” that Mrs. Boling says “will display their work in a huge way! A surprise for now!” Music Man, presented by the HLS Drama Troupe, will be held April 13-14 at 7:00 p.m. at Crescent Hill Baptist Church. 2
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Focus on Faculty:
Amy Mangione Mrs. Amy Mangione began her career at HLS as a parent volunteer coordinator before assisting the teacher in junior kindergarten. She became the junior kindergarten teacher one year later, then made the jump to Grammar School where she taught 6th grade boys (including her oldest son, A.J.). Now she is in her third year teaching 4th grade; her current class includes five students she assisted as junior kindergarten students.
In 2008, she moved to Louisville from the Akron area when her husband took a job here. A.J was able to start kindergarten at HLS that fall, and her youngest son, Daniel, started two years later.
The 4th grade curriculum at HLS includes arithmetic, First Form Latin, literature, and grammar. Geography is based on the Western Hemisphere, and science focuses on invertebrates and insects. Classical studies centers around the Famous Men of Rome (which “There are similarities between all grades,” said Mrs. the students present as a play at both campuses in the spring.) Mangione. “I enjoy 4th grade very much and feel having As well, students have P.E. and Choir. taught the same grade for two years that my preparation and “The literature in fourth grade allows students to read about good, knowing what to expect play a major part in helping me be a moral, virtuous characters including Lucy (of The Lion, the Witch better teacher.” and the Wardrobe), Heidi, and Sam (of Lassie, Come-Home),” she said. Although her experience in education spans several positions, “I am partial to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe because we get Mrs. Mangione’s career started in accounting, which she studied to see good triumph over evil, experience delightful imaginary at the University of Akron in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, before characters, and we get to witness the power of forgiveness.” becoming a controller for a multimillion dollar insurance agency. Her favorite subject to teach, though, is math. “I love taking hesitant math students and helping them become confident in their own abilities,” she said. After performing the Greek Myths play in 3rd grade, 4th grade students present the Famous Men of Rome and bring to life Rome and the characters about which they have read. “We have held auditions, assigned roles, and have had a few practices,” said Mrs. Mangione. “The audience will be very entertained and amazed at the students' performance in such a short amount of time.” Students in Mrs. Mangione’s class also partake in “Thankful Thursdays” in which they take a few minutes each Thursday to write and share what they are thankful for, then add their notes to the “Thankful Wall.” Currently the wall boasts gratitude for: God, Bibles, family, friends, pets, food, warm beds, sports, school, and bacon. To add to her class’ list, Mrs. Mangione is grateful for her faith and her family (including her HLS family) and the influence and impact of Mrs. Lowe, whose motivation and vision, she says, inspire her every day. “Our Thankful Thursday wall is getting full! My favorite part is taking time from our busy day and stopping to acknowledge all that we have and to thank God for giving us our blessings.” Mrs. Mangione is married to Andy, and their sons A.J. and Daniel are now in 9th and 7th grades. The Mangione Family are members of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Pewee Valley.
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A Place For Prayer Danielle Fuller (11th) Creates Prayer Garden to Honor Mrs. Lowe In 2005, HLS founder Cheryl Lowe helped form American Heritage Girls Troop KY2521, a chapter of the national organization for young women dedicated to character development, Christian values, and family involvement. Danielle Fuller joined the organization that year as a kindergarten student. Today Danielle is a junior at HLS, and a candidate for the Stars and Stripes Award (the highest level of AHG recognition), for which she recently designed the Cheryl Lowe Prayer Garden at the Spring Meadows campus. “When considering what I could do for the school, I realized that the CHBC campus has a chapel and a sanctuary, but that Spring Meadows had no place for worship. I thought a prayer garden would be a beautiful and necessary addition to the campus. I wanted to dedicate it to Mrs. Lowe because she was an exemplary woman of the highest integrity,” says Danielle. Christine Haner, an AHG leader trained in the Stars & Stripes process who also served as Danielle’s mentor, said the Stars & Stripes Award requires each of its candidates to plan and direct a 100-hour service project of her choosing that fulfills AHG's oath to honor God, family, community, and country. Danielle began in June, before she and her parents,
along with Mrs. Haner, met with Brian Lowe to discuss her blueprint and explain her ideas. “Mr. Lowe approved the plan for the prayer garden and kindly offered the services of the Spring Meadows campus lawn team. The lawn caretakers dug up the old dead grass and some overgrown plants so my volunteers would have a ‘clean slate’ on which to work,” says Danielle. Plants and pavers were donated by Greenside Outdoor Services, which also installed the pavers at the onset of the project implementation. Danielle supervised while volunteers tilled and dug dirt, planted herbs and flowers, laid down sod, and power-washed the sidewalk. Then it was time to add a sundial and benches. In her initial meeting with Mr. Lowe to discuss plans for the Cheryl Lowe Prayer Garden, Danielle learned Mrs. Lowe had favored rosebushes and herbs in her own gardens, so those were added to the perimeter of the space. “God even smiled on the project, keeping the weather perfect for the entire week while the pavers were installed and while volunteers were completing the project. The prayer garden was finished a whole day early!”
Why No Technology? As you probably have noticed, HLS isn’t easily enticed by new-fangled ideas. We are often able to reserve judgement long enough to witness the late and the great slowly deflate. You have probably noticed that we do not use much technology in our classrooms. We do not dislike technology. We do not disapprove of technology. We are not unappreciative of technology. We are simply “careful stewards of our classroom time.” And, we are champions of our knowledgeable and steadfast faculty. We do not want an obstacle between our students and their teachers, and we are cautious about permitting distractions into our classrooms. We did not fall for the siren song of technology as the savior of education. Our students do have opportunities to use computers, and a senior programming class is offered. We also implemented a summer typing program so that important skill is not overlooked. But, computers don’t enhance a literature or Latin class, and we think the distraction and delay they cause is not worth the benefit they might provide. We are providing our students math and science knowledge that is more broadly valuable than technical skills. We are offering students the logic and advanced analytical and computational education that will allow them to succeed in any math or science field. We are training thinkers, not technicians—because technical skills are highly specific, constantly changing, and independently attainable by those with interest and aptitude. Our approach has paid off for our students with more than half of our graduates pursuing engineering, math, or science degrees, and attending some of the best programs in the nation. —Leigh Lowe 4
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Danielle says HLS has played a large role in shaping her character, and she wanted to do something for the school in return by using her involvement in American Heritage Girls. The garden, she says, exceeded her expectations.
Award. It takes every arrow in their quiver, every creed word they have incorporated into their daily lives, every tool they have mastered, and all the gifts and talents bestowed by our Creator to earn this award.”
Now that the project is complete, Danielle will submit an essay, a resume, and a project summary before she can officially receive her Stars and Stripes Award. The presentation will take place this spring. Terry Giltner, Troop Coordinator, will present Danielle the award.
Danielle is grateful for the donations and volunteers who helped her create the Cheryl Lowe Prayer Garden. She says her favorite details are the stepping stones inscribed with Scripture and the sign that quotes Alfred Lord Tennyson: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Danielle has been especially pleased by the encouragement and affirmation from Mrs. Hatfield, Mrs. Lowe's sister and author of the New American Cursive program.
“A Prayer Garden, dedicated to Mrs. Cheryl Lowe, is not just a touching tribute but a lasting contribution to the communities of AHG KY2521 and Highlands Latin School,” says Mrs. Haner. “While I have supported American Heritage Girls and Troop KY2521 in various ways over the last nine years, one of the most rewarding has been to support the girls who seek to earn their Stars & Stripes
“It pleased me to know how much she likes the Cheryl Lowe Prayer Garden, and how much she thinks Mrs. Lowe would have liked it,” says Danielle.
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Nova Roma,
a student-run newspaper, was first distributed at both Spring Meadows and Crescent Hill on Jan. 2. The 6-page, full-color publication included articles on HLS's Indianapolis campus and Varsity basketball teams, as well as student interviews, artwork, and more. Sophomore Chloe Walrad leads the project. “Last year I really started to be interested in journalism and writing, and I noticed we didn’t have a publication geared towards students, so I sought to change that," said Chloe, pictured center below.
S
ENIOR WILL LEONBERGER
has used his personal experience with Shwachman–Diamond Syndrome to mentor other students in similar situations through roles such as his ambassadorship in the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He was recently asked by his doctor to speak on behalf of the Shwachman–Diamond Syndrome Foundation at its “Family Day” in Cincinnati. Will spoke in front of other SDS patients and their families about his diagnosis with SDS (a rare bone marrow failure syndrome for which he received a bone marrow transplant at age seven) and his experience living with the syndrome, including the ongoing surgeries he underwent to develop the bones that were affected as a result of SDS. After sharing his story, Will described his most recent surgery and his plans for the future. The following is an excerpt from his speech: In July, I had surgery on my hip, which I hope to be my final surgery. My femur was broken and repositioned so it would no longer rub against my pelvic bone. I’m presently going through extensive physical therapy and am back in the pool to swim laps to strengthen my hips and legs. So what have I learned from all of this? First of all, get used to uncertainty. Embrace it as you would a roller coaster ride. You don’t know when the next fall will be, but hold on tight, scream, cry, laugh, whatever you need to do to get through that ride. Second, face your challenges head on. Don’t be bitter about them. Being bitter will only make them worse. Every new challenge that I have faced with SDS has made me stronger. I have grown to embrace that way of thinking. Third, have faith and rely on God. The best gift my Mom and Dad ever gave me was my faith. It has taught me that I’m not in control, God is. When I feel anxious and worried, I pray to God and that gives me comfort. SDS has gotten in the way of lots of life experiences for me, but it has also opened a lot of doors in my life (as crazy as that sounds). Early on, I got involved with the Make-a-Wish foundation and have spoken at many of their events, raising awareness and funds. I have relied on my faith by reading uplifting Bible verses to get me through the tough times, which has brought me down the path of being very involved with my church, teaching religious education and taking part in the readings during mass.
Chloe proposed her idea to Dr. Matthew Dickie, Assistant Principal of Upper School. Following his approval, she recruited writers, assigned stories, and made a layout. The staff met weekly before school to work and again over Christmas break to finalize and print. Nova Roma is released monthly in print form only to Upper School students at morning ceremony. Staff members include:Chapman Adkins (10th), Kathryn Beiter (10th), Audrey Dick (10th), Sophie Harris (8th; not pictured), Jackson Hoffman (11th), Tanay Neotia (10th; not pictured), Sasha Novosel (10th), Lilly Pottlitzer (9th), Emily Sedgwick (10th), Chloe Walrad (10th), and Charlotte Wright (10th).
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Recovering a lot at home and during hospital stays at an early age “forced” me to watch a lot of TV (which to be honest I kind of loved). This is where I fell in love with sports. Despite the fact that I haven’t been able to play sports in the last several years, I help with my high school baseball and basketball teams. I am also an avid book reader, and have a love for learning. Thanks to being stuck at home or in a hospital bed, I have read A LOT of books! I plan to go to college this fall to major in pre-med and eventually attend medical school. With all I’ve gone through, I feel that my calling is to help people. Who knows, maybe I’ll even find a cure for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome one day. So far, Will has been accepted to Hanover College and Bellarmine University. He recently earned 2nd place in Louisville Gilda’s Club’s Write Stuff competition, an essay contest for students who have been affected by cancer. 502-895-5333
PAINTING
with
PURPOSE
In September, Tanay and Ashray Neotia started The Giving Art, a nonprofit organization that sells their artwork for the purpose of donating the proceeds to local charities. According to their website, "Our mission is simple … Create Art, Sell it for Non-Profit, and give the proceeds to the community.” The Giving Art sells two types of artwork: paintings (both prints and originals) and notecards. Prices range from $10-$20, and shipping is available. They also set up booths at local events including Art in the Park and First Friday Hop, as well as at the YMCA. Tanay and Ashray both sold their first pieces at Art in the Park; Tanay sold his print of red trees (pictured) and Ashray sold a painting of roses on a windowsill. “My piano teacher bought both pieces at Art in the Park,” said Tanay. The brothers take art lessons together each week from Ben Reynolds, a local artist. “I have been teaching Tanay for about eight years and Ashray for two. We started out with pencil drawing and gradually moved into acrylic painting,” said Ben. “[Tanay] is a confident, patient artist and may spend eight to ten hours on one painting, which requires a great deal of discipline and focus. Ashray is a young boy with a lot of joy in learning to paint. He is learning to absorb the moment and is a good listener who easily picks up skills to draw or paint.” To date, The Giving Art has donated $250 to three local charities: Louisville Firefighters Association, YMCA of Louisville, and Norton Children’s Hospital. “I want to donate as much as I can,” said Tanay, of his goals for the project. “I like seeing people who like my art and are willing to contribute to a greater cause, rather than just buy something for their house.”
Tanay Neotia (10th) and Ashray Neotia (4th) show samples of their artwork sold through The Giving
Tanay has placed 3rd and 4th in the Kentucky Art, a nonprofit organization they started in the fall. State Fair, and Ashray has placed 3rd. Both artists placed in the Citizens Union Bank Art Show in 2017; Ashray placed 1st and Tanay earned 3rd place and honorable mention. As well, Ashray won the Jockey’s Award in the Horsing Around with Art competition in 2017 for his Derby Horse painting (pictured). To create his winning piece, Ashray watched his art teacher paint the same drawing, then recreated it on his own. This piece, along with the painting he sold of red roses on a windowsill, are his personal favorites.
Tanay and Ashray will continue to update their Facebook page and website with new projects as they are created. Currently, they are creating thank you notes and Tanay, who says his collection is mostly impressionistic, has a masterpiece in the works. To view or purchase art, visit thegivingart.wixsite.com/website or their facebook.com/The Giving Art.
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The Critical Thinking Skills Hoax
By Martin Cothran, originally published in The Classical Teacher Winter 2018 issue Modern educators love to talk about “critical thinking ancients called an “art.” Logic has an actual history of having skills,” but not one in a hundred even knows what he means by been taught, and taught in a certain way. It is not nearly so this term. Every time our country goes through an education amorphous as the term “critical thinking skills.” reform spasm—which it has experienced about every twentyBut for propoganda purposes, it is less useful to use exact five years since the 1920s—the education establishment trots words. Vague words with indeterminate meanings are much to out a set of slogans that always sound good but don’t really be preferred. “Thinking skills, thinking skills, rah-rah-rah!” In mean anything. fact, “thinking skills” is only one of the terms in a constellation In fact, the next time you hear an educator use the term of vague promotional phrases used by education reformers. “critical thinking skills,” ask him what he means and see Others include “problem-solving skills,” “inferencing skills,” what happens. You get the same reaction you would get if main idea finding,” and “higher-order skills.” Again, these you were to politely interrupt a cheerleader in the middle of sound good, but what exactly do they mean? her routine and ask, “When you say ‘rah-rah, sis-boom-bah,’ And these share with “critical thinking skills” the same exactly what do you mean?” You would get a blank stare. The problems. Not only are they ill-defined, but in a sense they words have no substance in themselves; they are meant merely really don’t exist, at least not as separate areas of study. to elicit positive emotions. It is the same with the term “critical Knowledge is unnecessary, goes the thinking of thinking skills.” It is the educational equivalent of shaking progressive educators, because the only thing necessary pom-poms. To say you are in favor of critical thinking skills is is skills. And so we think we can divorce skills from the educational equivalent of saying, “Have a nice day.” knowledge. Here is what the Cambridge Handbook of I recently participated in a televised debate on national Expertise and Expert Performance has to say about the idea science standards being implemented in my home state of that skills can be taught and learned in a content vacuum: Kentucky. I pointed out that the "Research clearly rejects the classical standards did nothing to encourage views* on human cognition in which the acquisition of a knowledge There is a pronounced tendency in progressive general abilities such as learning, of nature. There is a pronounced education to downplay basic factual knowledge- reasoning, problem solving, and tendency in progressive education concept formation correspond to particularly if such knowledge is gained to downplay basic factual capacities and abilities that can through that process which is anathema to knowledge- particularly if such be studied independently of the progressive educators: memorization. knowledge is gained through content domains." -Martin Cothran that process which is anathema In E. D. Hirsch’s recent book, to progressive educators: Why Knowledge Matters: Rescuing Our memorization. In the science standards, students are never Children from Failed Education Theories, he makes the case that asked to name, identify, classify, or describe any natural psychological and educational research is fairly unanimous on object. In fact, the words “mammal,” “fish,” “reptile,” and this point: Skills are “domain-specific.” In other words, you “amphibian” are never mentioned in the standards—nor are have to study skills in the context of some specific subject. such basic scientific terms as “hormone,” “kinesis,” lymphatic,” And “problem solving”? “There exists,” Hirsch says, “no “neuron,” “nucleotide,” “osmosis,” “Celsius,” “Farenheit,” consistent all-purpose problem-solving skill, independent of “plasma,” “vaccine,” “protozoa,” or “enzyme.” domain-specific knowledge.” Hirsch cites study after study When I pointed this out during the debate, my two showing that, on tests of particular skills like “reading skills,” opponents, one a college biology professor and the other the students with less developed skills but who know the subject chairman of the State House Education Committee, argued of a text outperform those who have more developed reading that the reason for excluding these things was that they skills but who don’t know the subject. Knowledge matters. were trying to teach students “critical thinking skills.” It is a When the television moderator asked me the question little frightening when educational policymakers think that, about what “critical thinking skills” were, instead of in order to teach thinking skills, they need first to exclude merely mentioning logic, I could just as easily have said knowledge. I said that I doubted whether they even knew “the liberal arts” (of which logic is a part). The liberal what “critical thinking skills” were. And as it turned out, they arts include the trivium (the three language subjects) couldn’t give a definition. When the moderator of the debate and the quadrivium (the four mathematical subjects). asked me what my definition of critical thinking skills was, I But they are arts taught as subjects, each with their own answered: “Logic.” unique content. The term “liberal arts” doesn’t fit into a It is an interesting fact that the people who say that they cheer routine very well. But that shouldn’t really matter. want to improve our schools spend so much time talking about “critical thinking skills” and so little about logic. One of the reasons is undoubtedly that the word “logic” is much *The term “classical views” here means “standard views” of the more concrete. It implies learning and being able to use a subject that were prevalent in the nineteenth and early twentieth specific system of rational rules that can be taught- what the centuries. 8
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Alumni Spotlight:
Kayla Sarin HLS Class of 2015
Kayla Sarin is a junior at Grove City College studying Communications within the Business Program. She serves as Assistant Social Chair for Theta Alpha Pi sorority, and participates in the Grove City NEW chapter (Network of Enlightened Women). Kayla just finished a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. As she nears her senior year, Kayla says her college is a great fit for HLS students: “Whether you pick Grove or another school like it, choosing the liberal arts route will continue to enhance the wonderful education that you’re already getting.”
Describe your study abroad experience. I just returned from studying abroad in Florence, Italy at Lorenzo de Medici. One of my best friends from Grove studied at LdM her junior year and after hearing how much she loved the school and the city of Florence I decided to attend there, as well. I’ve never been fully immersed in a culture that is completely different than my own. It was a crazy semester navigating the Italian culture and classwork and seeing how different it is to life in America. My roommate and I traveled all around Italy and to other countries such as France, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Studying abroad definitely brought challenges, but there have been so many good things that have come from it as well – I feel like I grew up a lot these past four months and am returning to the U.S. with an appreciation for other cultures, as well as for my own! My semester abroad has been the highlight of my college experience so far. What has been your favorite class at Grove City College, and why? So far, my favorite class has been Principles of Marketing which I took first semester freshman year with a brilliant professor, Dr. Powell. He has been teaching this class for over a decade, and his love for marketing spills out into the classroom. Taking this class was the first time I realized how something so small and insignificant can impact the sales of a particular brand. Grove City College and HLS share similar missions. Was your transition easier because of this? What made Grove City feel so familiar when I first arrived on campus was the small campus size, the friendliness of the professors, and all the happy people. I’ve said multiple times throughout the past two years that Grove City feels like the college version of HLS – the courses are very challenging, the students work extremely hard, and the professors are always so eager to answer questions and be helpful. The community is made up of many strong Christian kids who encourage and uplift each other, and the post-graduate opportunities are endless. What was your favorite class in high school, and how do you think HLS prepared you for college? I’m not sure I would say Biology was my favorite subject, but I always looked forward to attending that class with Dr. Shelburne. She has such a passion for the subjects she teaches and that was evident in the classroom. She cares about her students and always made sure that if one of us was struggling with a topic, we wouldn’t leave for home until we understood it. Attending HLS taught me how to take notes well and study effectively. In high school, I didn’t think much of it, but now I see how much more of an advantage I have over other students who did not learn these skills growing up. I’m so thankful I have a leg up in that area as it has saved me much stress and given me time to do things I enjoy. What is your advice for any current HLS students? Make sure you soak up your time in high school! Of course, keep up with your studies, but also invest in healthy friendships, get a good night’s sleep, and do an extracurricular activity that excites you. This time is going to fly by and you don’t want to look back and wish you had done more with the people you’re surrounded by now. What do you value about your classical education today? I can’t put into words how grateful I am for the education I received beginning at such an early age. This has been particularly reinforced living in Italy and spending time in Rome where I’ve been able to experience firsthand the places and history that I had studied for so many years at HLS. In addition to this, when people hear that one is classically educated, they tend to have more respect, because in today’s world, to find millennials who care about their education is becoming rare.
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House members completed the first task of "The Good, The True, The Beautiful Project - a visual frame depicting "The Good" using various art mediums. Frames are displayed in Cooke Hall at Spring Meadows. Panels representing the second portion of the project, "The True" will be presented at the end of Trimester 2.
The
House System
Members of the House of Andrew organized Christmas decorations at Uspiritus in N o ve m b e r , a c c o r d i n g t o House Lanista Meg Booker (9th), and returned on Feb. 10 to host a carnival for residents. Andrew’s strength, says Meg, is in Service and Arts. “We had many people come to our service project, and we get many House points by doing carpool every morning. In the upcoming production of Music Man, there are many House of Andrew members participating.” For “The Good” project, Meg said the House of Andrew used different art mediums and the symbol of the tree, to represent knowledge. For “The True” they are preparing a Bible verse and using the same art mediums.
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Sydney Petrie (8th) said the House of David cleaned the kitchen and various other rooms at Louisville Rescue Mission in the fall. “We also wrote notes to people just joining the shelter, and gave them Bibles,” she said. Spirit is the strength of the House this year, according to Sydney. “We are constantly encouraging members of the House and we always stay positive.” House of David members went ice skating together in January, and also held another service project at Louisville Rescue Mission.
According to Sophie Harris (8th), the House of George visited Volunteers of America to clean the facilities, make crafts with children, and help prepare and serve breakfast. They volunteered again on Jan. 27, playing games with children living at the Family Emergency Shelter. George’s panel represents “The Good” by visually demonstrating the different ways in which God revealed himself to mankind in Scripture. “I think we did a great job taking everyone’s good ideas and combining them into one beautiful panel,” said Sophie. Currently the House of George is brainstorming ideas for "The True” presentation.
The House of Patrick served at Franciscan Soup Kitchen by preparing and serving meals to community members, and cleaning up afterward. “Our House’s strength is Service,” said A.J. Mangione (9th), who said 33 people showed up to serve at the soup kitchen, setting a record for participation. The House of Patrick volunteered at the soup kitchen again on Jan. 29. On Feb. 10, the House hosted a dance (along with the House of Andrew) for 9th-12th students in Cooke Hall. A.J. says the House of Patrick’s “The Good” project shows strong artwork, and that plans for “The True” project are in the works.
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News, Honors, and Awards FA C U LT Y & S TA F F Kyle Janke (Upper School English) and his wife, Vanessa, welcomed Clarence George Janke on October 19th. Clarence joins big brothers Henry and Arthur. James Tennessee Pierce, son of Elizabeth Pierce (Upper School teacher ) and her husband, Stephen, was born October 25th. Felicity Anne Miller, daughter of Matt Miller (Upper School Latin) and his wife, Karli, was born October 25th. Felicity joins big sister Michela.
STUDENTS
Charlotte Wright (10th), Anna Hobbs (3rd), Sophie Harris (8th), Alex Harris (10th), Isaiah Wright (8th), and Luke Nicholas (7th) participated in the Taste of St. Michael, performing Mediterranean, Slavic, Greek, and Ethiopian folk dances.
Meg Booker (9th) and Michah Arnold (8th) performed in the opera Dead Man Walking, based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean, at the Brown Theatre in October; both were in the children's chorus; Micah also had a speaking and singing part as the man on death row's little brother. Game Day USA named Highlanders pitcher and infielder Bobby Fowler (11th) a Junior All-American from Indiana, qualifying him to travel to Sarasota, Florida over Thanksgiving to play in the 2017 Junior All-American Games at Ed Smith Stadium. Bobby and his teammates won the tournament. Sydney Veith ('16) recently earned the Frances Joan Masser Scholarship from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Sydney, a member of the Lewis Honors College, was also named to the Dean’s List. Alexander McFarland (12th) and James Reilly (11th) were voted to the 10-man 2017 KCAA All-State Soccer Team.
Greta Miller (4th) competed at the Mid-America Oireachtas (Irish Dance Competition) where she individually scored among the region's Top 30. She was awarded a medal. Schuyler Bass ('16) recently earned the Jane M. Klausman Scholarship, given out annually by the Zonta Club, whose mission is to “empower women worldwide through service and advocacy.” Tanay Neotia (10th) placed 1st in the Louisville Thruston Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Knight Essay Contest, qualifying him to compete at the state level. Tanay was honored at a luncheon on Feb. 17, where he also read his essay to other attendees. Grace Garrison (7th) and Emily Steen (4th) were in Louisville Ballet's The Brown-Forman Nutcracker at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in December. Grace was a party boy and Emily was a mouse.
Amelia Earhart went missing in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world with her navigator, Fred Noonan. National Geographic is sponsoring an exhibition to search for the crash site at Nikumaroro Island. Nikumaroro Island is a part of Kiribati, located in what ocean? Jonathan Lasoi (8th) answered this question to win the 7th annual Highlands Latin School Geography Bee, held Jan. 19 in Cooke Hall at Spring Meadows. Mary Claire Vonderheide (7th) was Runner-Up. The following students also competed in the Bee: Zach Frizzell, George Hall, Jay Hawkins, Halen Luse, Cael McCullum, Sydney Petrie, Joseph Stachnik, and Elia Trocan. Jonathan will take a qualifying test to participate in the State Geography Bee at WKU in April. (Answer: Pacific Ocean)
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HIGHLANDS LATIN SCHOOL 10901 Shelbyville Rd. Louisville, KY 40243 502.742.4789 www.TheLatinSchool.org