15 minute read
SCHOOL NEWS BRIEFS
Lower School
Grade 4 Digs for Oil
In science class, Grade 4 students learned about and applied methods that engineers use to locate drilling sites for oil, such as listening for and measuring echoes underground. They applied the technique to locate water balloons buried in bins of sand.
Lower School Celebrates Earth Day
Grandparents Day
St. Johns was pleased to welcome grandparents and grandfriends for the annual Lower School Grandparents Day celebration on Friday, February 24. Students wowed their special guests with a musical performance in the Performing Arts Center, and then grandparents and grandfriends enjoyed a light brunch in the Quad area. Following a visit to the classrooms, students and grandparents posed with fun props in the photo booth. New this year, guests were invited to visit resource classes from Library with Mrs. Jacobs, where they made bookmarks, to Art with Mrs. Allgaier, where they showed off their art pieces!
Grade 5 Crosses the Quad
In May, family and friends gathered in the Performing Arts Center for the annual Crossing the Quad ceremony, which celebrates Grade 5 students as they cross the metaphorical Quad from Lower School into Middle School. After an introduction by each Grade 5 classroom teacher, each student took the podium to reflect on their time in Lower School, name a few favorite parts, and give advice to future Grade 5 students. Then, personal recognition was awarded to each student (see the full list at sjcds.net/news) as they were called to “cross the Quad” and shake hands with Head of Middle School Ben Magidson and Dean of Middle School Patrick Rodifer.
A Day in Savannah
In March, Grade 5 took an amazing field trip to Savannah. They left school early in the morning and headed straight to the Georgia State Railroad Museum, which is the site of the most complete antebellum railroad of its kind in the world. They explored train cars and handcars, and learned about the railroad and its history. Next, they toured the riverfront on an exclusive sightseeing riverboat tour. They learned more about the area’s history and about the modern port city that Savannah has become. Students closed out their day with a fun “Scavenger Hunt” for sites around Savannah. They took plenty of photos and had tons of fun on this historic and exciting day.
Middle School
St. Johns Spelling Bee
On January 10, twelve outstanding Spartans competed in the Grades 5-8 Spelling Bee. “The spelling bee is affiliated with the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee,” said Bee sponsor and Grade 8 English teacher Thea Burke, “and a past winner from St. Johns has gone on to compete at the national level in Washington, DC.”
Competition was fierce as the students went 14 rounds to determine the winner. Students were challenged to spell words like benefitted, unsettling, temperature, and inkling until only two students remained. In the final, very intense rounds, both spellers showed great concentration and nerves of steel, and ultimately a champion was named with the correct spelling of the word “threadbare”.
Brennan Rowzee ’28 was named first runner-up and designated as the alternate for the district competition, and the winner, Max Rivera ’29, represented St. Johns at the Clay County District Spelling Bee on February 23rd at Lake Asbury Junior High School. Congratulations to all the spellers who competed in the Bee!
Grade 8 Presents….
In May, Grade 8 students participated in a tradition that goes back more than 20 years at St. Johns: a re-enactment of the trial scene from Harper Lee’s classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. Through this readers theater production, Grade 8 students assumed the roles of Scout, Jem, townspeople of Maycomb, the judge, jury, and Atticus Finch himself to bring the scene to life.
“For St Johns students in Grade 8, the Trial Scene is a rite of passage,” said Grade 8 English teacher Mrs. Thea Burke. “[It is] a legacy event that connects them with our Upper School students and alums, many of whom are here today, and a memory they will share for years to come.” To Kill a Mockingbird is frequently cited as many adults’ favorite book to read in high school and was voted American’s #1 favorite book in PBS’ “Great American Reads” national survey.
Grade 7 Orlando Trip
In April, Grade 7 students went to Orlando for an overnight trip. First, they stopped at the Orlando Rescue Mission and helped clean rooms, sort and fold clothes, and with day care for small children of several families. “The impact on the students was profound,” said Head of Middle School Ben Magidson. “Many of the students came away appreciating that they were able to give back and assist in any way possible.”
At night, the group checked into SeaWorld and had classroom time where they studied the skulls of different animals and how the formations of certain animal bones are instrumental in protection and adaptation to their natural environment. After a great dinner, students visited the different exhibits and were able to experience the park at night and by themselves since St. Johns was the only school on the grounds. Students were granted permission to sleep in the park and inside a chosen exhibit. They had their sleeping bags next to manta rays and the saltwater aquarium or the lively penguin exhibit. The next morning, students were given a tour of the rescue center where professionals discussed proper boating safety, recycling, and what is currently affecting seas and oceans.
St. Johns Reigning Champs on the Moon
It was announced in January that Ms. Sachs’ Grade 7 science class won “Best Crop Growth” this year in the Plant the Moon Contest (Middle School Division).
Plant the Moon is an international competition in which students join a global science experiment and research challenge to examine how vegetable crops can grow in lunar or Martian soil. In this challenge, student teams design experiments to optimize plant growth within specific parameters, conduct tests, and prepare formal reports on their findings. Based on NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, Plant the Moon brings this captivating challenge into classrooms, offering students the opportunity to contribute to solutions that will assist astronauts in their return to the moon. Notably, St. Johns holds the distinction of being the reigning champion for two consecutive years, as Mrs. Wagstaff’s class emerged as winners in last year’s competition.
Grade 6 French Presentations
In January, Grade 6 French students did biographical studies and presentations of famous French people from a variety of categories, including military/government, sciences, athletics, cuisine, fashion and arts.
Students had a great time investigating personalities from Joan of Arc and Coco Chanel to Kylian Mbappe and Evan Fournier.
Inaugural Science Olympiad Team
In February, St. Johns sent its first-ever team to the Science Olympiad Regional competition at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Within the 24 Division B teams competing, River City Science Academy and Galaxy Middle School won almost every one of the twenty-three events. But, as the Regional Director called St. Johns student names, he had a huge smile on his face for the newbie St. Johns Spartans team:
Winning the silver in Division B Category RocksCeline Torkzad ’27
Winning the silver in Division B Category Solar SystemCeline Torkzad ’27
Winning the gold in Division B Category Write It Do ItMax Rivera ’29 and Izzy Dugre ’28
Team members included:
Gabi Oceguera ’25 - C Division
Haley Pierce ’25 - C Division
Celine Torkzad ’27 - B Division
David McDonald ’27 - B Division
Sophia McClellan ’28 - B Division
Maddy Dugre ’28 - B Division
Izzy Dugre ’28 - B Division
Zach Navarro ’28 - B Division
Max Rivera ’29 - B Division
32 Inducted into National Junior Honor Society
In a beautiful ceremony this spring, 32 Middle School students were inducted into the St. Johns Country Day School chapter of the National Honor Society.
“The National Junior Honor Society is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals,” said NJHS Sponsor Thea Burke. “Its purposes are to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to render service to school and community, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of the nation’s middle and upper schools.”
Membership in the St. Johns Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society has been earned by the effective demonstration of the four qualities held in high esteem by the Society. These are scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Each of the students inducted this morning has demonstrated these qualities, and St. Johns applauds them for their accomplishments and looks to them
and to their leadership as they move forward through Middle School and into their high school years.
In order to be considered for membership, a student must be a Grade 7 or Grade 8 St. Johns student who has been at St. Johns for at least one semester, has a GPA of 3.6 or higher, and demonstrates the NJHS qualities of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Mrs. Burke, Head of Middle School Mr. Ben Magidson, and Middle School Dean Mr. Patrick Rodifer lit candles for each of the four qualities, and students were called individually to receive their membership certificates.
In Grade 8:
Camila Adame
Haleema Ali
Madeline Culbreth
Addison Kipnis
Nathan Kipnis
Arlo Kistner
William McNulty
Olivia Morehouse
Thomas Nichols
Ariel Wood
In Grade 7:
Levi Avila
Cooper Blackwood
Chloe Cameron
Cam Cooper
Carson Connolly
Beckham Cummings
Isabel Dugre
Madeleine Dugre
Aiden Flaschen
Marcus Giles
Elliot Graham
Asher Hendrix
Cayden Ingram
Riley Lincoln
Caris Morgan
Zachary Navarro
Kendall Proffitt
Brennan Rowzee
Mieleen Sahni
Riley Spencer
Audrey Steckler
Grady Tees
Upper School
Winterim
In January, St. Johns hosted its second annual Upper School Winterim, a short period between Winter Break and the start of the second semester when students engage in targeted activities with an eye toward expanding their horizons, providing them with new experiences, allowing them to try out possible career avenues, and giving them the opportunity to move into the next semester gently.
This year, the seniors traveled to Washington, DC for a curricular tour of our nation’s capital. The juniors took part in internship opportunities in career paths of interest to them. Sophomores enrolled in short mini-courses on a variety of topics they don’t see on our usual curriculum, and Freshmen engaged in community service opportuni ties both on campus and in the Jacksonville area.
Congratulations, Miss St. Johns Contestants!
On the evening of Saturday, March 4, nine contestants competed for the title of Miss St. Johns. The theme for the night was “A Trip Through Time.”
“The contestants wore costumes and danced in routines that represented different time periods,” said Interact Club sponsor Heather Velasco. “Everyone had a great time being entertained by these talented young women.” The Interact Club event raised $2,148 for the American Cancer Society.
Shannon Hodges ’23 was crowned the winner and was also named Miss Congeniality. Calli Berrang ’26 was named the People’s Choice Award winner by raising the most money in her voting box. The rest of the top five were:
Mia Johnson ’25
Calli Berrang ’26
Abigail Maierhoffer ’23
Ava Johnson ’23
Eleven Inducted into Cum Laude Society
In an April ceremony in the Performing Arts Center, eleven Upper School students were inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society. The Cum Laude Society is modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, the collegiate honor society, and works to recognize and encourage true scholarship.
After brief welcoming remarks by Head of School Valorie Baker, Cum Laude Society Sponsor Mrs. Kristin (Hodge) Jackson ’00 assumed the podium. Mrs. Jackson introduced current members, who were seated on stage. These included six seniors who were inducted last year as juniors: Kennedy Brown, Brooks Burson, Hunter Hopkins, Ava Johnson, Jack McNulty, and Lily Weldon.
The Cum Laude Society is modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, the collegiate honor society founded by Thomas Jefferson at the College of William and Mary before the American Revolution.
“The Society was founded in 1906 by Dr. Abram Harris at the Tome School for Boys, in Port Deposit, MD to recognize scholastic achievement of juniors and seniors in secondary schools,” said Jackson. “Dr. Harris
envisioned a society which would encourage and recognize “true scholarship” among college preparatory students.”
Annually, Cum Laude inducts the top 10% of the junior class and the top 20% of the senior class, based on the cumulative Upper School GPA through the first semester of the current academic year. This year’s inductees include:
From the Class of 2023:
Madi Erwin
Jeffrey Henry
Shannon Hodges
Juliet Moody
Avery Raimondo
Aidan Rice
From the Class of 2024:
George Auchter
Gianna Lentini
Ava Morin
Richard Nichols
Ben Payton
As their names were called, students crossed the stage to receive their certificate from Head of Upper School Jackie Lentini and pause briefly for a photo. Then they joined their fellow Society members seated on stage.
Mrs. Jackson then introduced Cum Laude Society member and St. Johns alumni, Mrs. Erin (Bare) Willingham ’98, who discussed the meaning of the Society’s core tenants of Excellence, Justice, and Honor and shared relevant stories from her own time at St. Johns.
In sum, she encouraged students to “continue to strive for excellence, but don’t forget to appreciate the moments as they happen.”
Be present and enjoy what happens along the way. Work hard and do your best, but remember that excellence goes beyond the classroom. Think about the person you want to be, and be that positive example for others.
Exemplify justice in your actions. Be fair, treat others with respect, and show kindness. Nurture your friendships and your relationships.”
Honor those around you, but also strive to be a person who is worthy of that honor in return.
Congratulations, Cum Laude Society inductees!
Model United Nations
This year Upper School students seized the opportunity to participate in the Tallahassee Southern Model United Nations (TSMUN). After being assigned to represent a specific country (Brazil, France, or South Korea), students spent months learning facts and reading news from the perspective of their country. They studied the work of the committee they would attend, and wrote position papers from their country’s perspective.
Participating students included Raeghyn Cobb ’26, Shannon Hodges ’23, AJ Hawk ’24, Tristan Lentz, Gabriela Oceguera ’25, Cordelia Painter ’24, Ashlyn Rose ’24, Taylor Thigpen ’24, and Jack Walker ’24
“I was so proud of these students who have taken time out of their busy schedules to learn about the importance of the United Nations and the challenges of global affairs,” said MUN Sponsor Mr. Josh Stern. “I look forward to continuing to grow the club and having most of these students return for a bigger and more experienced conference next year.”
In April, Mr. Stern was thrilled to announce that members of St. Johns’ South Korea delegation had been recognized by TSMUN. These included AJ Hawk, Shannon Hodges, Gabi Oceguera, and Taylor Thigpen as Outstanding Delegation: Republic of Korea. Shannon Hodges also earned Outstanding Position Paper for her work, “Furthering Disarmament and Addressing the Global Climate Crisis.”
Spartan Spotlight
In addition to being a St. Johns senior and on the baseball team, Kellen Brown ’23 has been pursuing his private pilot’s license, which he achieved this summer. It’s only the first of 5 total ratings he’ll need to complete to get his Airline Transport Pilot License and reach his goal of working as a commercial pilot, but it’s a tremendous start and congratulations to Kellen for getting it done in addition to school work and baseball. Kellen heads to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this fall where he’ll play baseball and pursue aeronautics.
Junior Class Ring Ceremony
On Friday, January 20, 2023, St. Johns Country Day School participated in a new kind of ring ceremony for the Class of 2024. This year, for the very first time, the School designed and ordered a custom ring just for this class and presented it to them during this ceremony, attended by family, friends, and Upper School.
Spanish Students Explore Gaudí
Last semester, Sra Calderón delved into a culture lesson with her Spanish 3 students, focusing on the art of Catalan designer and architect, Antoni Gaudí.
