6 minute read
In the News
FALL/WINTER 2011-2012
Sixth graders enjoying lunch and laughs during the 5th annual Diversity Day in January From left: Danielle Roberts, Sydney Shintani, Summer DeVera, Julianna Goldsmith, and Cybele Zhang
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ARCHER PARTICIPATES IN STANFORD UNIVERSITY
STUDY This fall, Archer partnered with Stanford University in a research study based on Carol Dweck’s concept of the growth mindset. The study seeks to determine how students’ beliefs about school and their own abilities affect their motivation and achievement, and how they may benefit from particular kinds of activities that are paired together in a particular order. The purpose of the study is to gain insight into how to optimize student achievement.
Archer 11th graders kicked off this year’s Arrow Week program with a backpacking trip through southern Arizona and New Mexico led by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). During the trip, students developed leadership and teamwork skills as they navigated through new terrain and collectively shared in physically and mentally challenging experiences in the outdoors. Archer chose to partner with NOLS because they are the country’s leader in outdoor education and safety. At Archer, we believe that girls develop a
critical and enduring confidence through challenging experiential learning that takes them far beyond their comfort zone. Our partnership with NOLS— which will continue with the 7th & 9th Grade Arrow Week expeditions—aims to provide the same transformational, experiential learning for all our girls. TWELFTH NIGHT The Upper School performance of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” put a spin on the Bard’s tale of mistaken identity with the setting of 1930s New Orleans instead of the ancient city of Illyria. Arts Department Chair Tracy Poverstein partnered with assistant
student directors Sarah Eshaghian ’12 and Cora Cull ’12 to cultivate the play’s distinct flavor and character. Cora reflected, “The entire experience was absolutely non-stop fun! With a Shakespeare comedy, there’s really no limit to the way one can interpret the mood of the language, stage the scene, or even set the play. That gave us the total freedom to express Shakespeare’s humor in a way that our peers would both understand and find funny. The only challenging part was making sure all of us understood the language, and saw through the Archaic English to what the text was actually trying to convey. Once that was established, though, we went wild with creativity.”
COMMUNITY SERVICE
FAIR More than 40 organizations were represented on campus for the annual Community Service Fair, an event organized by the students of the Community Service Board and Director of Community Service Judey Petix. A multitude of causes and service opportunities were presented at the fair, including on and off campus activities.
Students recognized the significance of service as a way to both contribute to the community, and facilitate personal growth. Rachel Arditi ’13 called her work with Best Buddies International an “amazing experience” and her friendship with her buddy has helped her to “grow as a person” because it has compelled her to try and see the world through the lens of someone with an intellectual or developmental disability.
Among the organizations in attendance were Young Angels of America, Los Angeles Public Library, Autism Speaks, OPCC Turning Point, OPCC Access Center, Westside Food Bank, Project Angel Food, Ballona Institute & Wetlands Defense Fund, Children Mending Hearts, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Mar Vista Green Council and Meals on Wheels. These opportunities offer Archer girls the
chance to be engaged in their communities and learn how to view service as something that can be done in ways both big (putting on events to raise funds for a cause) and small (making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a person in need).
GRANDPARENTS’ & SPECIAL FRIENDS’ DAY
As it is every year, this fall’s Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day was a wonderful celebration of family and community on the Archer campus. Middle School students invited their grandparents or another significant figure in their life to get a glimpse into their daily experience at school. The day kicked off with tea, followed
by a student-produced video filled with messages of gratitude from Archer girls to their grandparents and special friends, musical and theatrical performances, and a classroom visit.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Middle School students wowed audiences with their creative interpretation of Lewis Carol’s classic “Alice in Wonderland” in December 2011. The Blackbox Theatre was transformed into a magical world of intrigue and imagination thanks to the creative vision of Theatre Teacher Reed Farley. “This production gave the girls a chance to explore new ways in which to tell a traditional story,” said Farley. “We really pushed the envelope
and tried new things.” Out of a 32-member cast, five different girls played the part of Alice—a fun twist to the telling of the story.
FOUNDERS’ DAY & SENIOR RECOGNITION CEREMONY
On November 11, the Archer community honored the School’s founders and the Class of 2012 during the annual Founders’ Day and Senior Recognition Ceremony. Two of the three Co-Founders were in attendance (Megan Callaway and Victoria Shorr pictured below with Head of School Elizabeth English). ASB President Victoria Chen ’12 said that “Archer is more than a school, it is a sisterhood.” Co-Founder Victoria Shorr spoke of the leadership capacity of Archer girls. “You’re going to get things done,” she said. “Archer has empowered you in
ways you can’t even imagine - all of you will be future founders some day.” Archer’s a cappella group sang a rendition of “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, and beloved longtime Math Teacher Judey Petix spoke about the founding days of Archer: “We were fearlessly resilient in the face of adversity. The challenges of starting a school made us versatile and created an electric culture where we were excited to get things done. That spirit of innovation and creativity still exists today.”
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
ROCK THE IOC Archer’s a cappella group, The Unaccompanied Minors, performed at the International Olympic Committee Gala, honoring women in sports and sports administration on February 16. More than 600 guests were in attendance at the JW Mariott downtown at LA Live.
7TH GRADER’S PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS FEATURED IN LA MAGAZINE
Lulu Cerone ’17 was recently featured in Los Angeles Magazine as an “Action Hero” for her work as founder of Lemon:AID Warriors. She started with a simple lemonade stand to raise money for Haiti in 2009. Last summer, her national LemonAID Campaign inspired 500 stands. She organized a Red Cross Kids Rock concert for Japan and a Water Walk that funded a well in Africa. She is Content Consultant for Punchbowl.com to provide party planning tips for creative fundraisers she calls “PhilanthroParties.” She was featured in USA Today, Discovery Girl, and TIME for Kids. Last fall, Lulu spoke at the United Nations during the Year of Youth Celebration.
NIGHT OF DANCE Nearly 800 people attended Archer’s recent Night of Dance held on February 4 and 5 at the
American Jewish University. Students performed pieces in jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary. Congratulations to all the students and faculty involved. It was another amazing showcase of Archer’s talented dancers and choreographers.
