The O’Neal Quarterly •
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Middle School students assist in building a playground in Robbins during the North Moore Family Resource Center’s “Community Build Day.” O’Neal’s Relay for Life team is recognized for having the most donations in Moore County for the month of March.
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John Corcoran, author of the book “The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read” spoke to Middle and Upper School students.
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Lower School students give junior and senior students notes expressing how much they look up to them and to enjoy the Prom during Prom Promise.
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O’Neal honors its volunteers by hosting breakfast snacks during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.
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The Parents’ Association hosts its second teacher/staff appreciation luncheon of the school year.
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Margaux Winter (10), MacKenzie Morrissett (10), Emily Mackillop (11) and Erin O’Connell (11) were 4 of the 5 students selected for the Southern Pines Library Teen Advisory Board.
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Students in the NAIS Global 20/20 class present their final report on infectious diseases which focused on proper handwashing techniques and education.
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Middle School hosts a second group of 12 French students and 2 teachers for two weeks.
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Molly Kuzma(6), Zoey King (6), and Sydney Maynor (7) were recognized as Grannie Annie winners for submitted stories. With over 600 entries nationwide, there were only 22 winners selected in grades 6-8. 2nd and 5th grade students conclude their unit of the Westward Movement with the annual O’Neal Trail. The Model UN team brings home a superior delegation for Spain and an honorable mention delegation for Venezuela.
SPRING 2015 •
O’Neal has three different groups travel to China, Italy and Spain over Spring Break.
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The National Theatre for Children presented “Treasure Trove of Conservation Cove, A Pirate’s Tale” to Lower School students recognizing energy resources and conservation.
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O’Neal hosts Elementary and Middle School Battle of the Books Regional Competitions.
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Pre-K4 classes launch a school wide “Cha Cha Challenge.”
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The O’Neal Booster Club hosts the JV/Varsity Winter Sports Recognition Ceremony.
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Over $70,000 is raised for the Computing and Innovation Initiative during the 44th Annual Auction.
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Win and Elizabeth Dozier serve as honorary chairs for O’Neal’s 44th Annual Auction.
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O’Neal Middle School Science Olympiad Team takes the regional title.
Community Prefect Program Crosses Divisions
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he Prefect Leadership Program was established at O’Neal five years ago. One of the seven prefect areas is “Community”. This prefect committee carries on events and tasks that allows for students in different divisions to interact.
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ith each O’Neal Quarterly, I am struck by the variety of activities in which our students find success. They are scholars, leaders, performers, scientists, writers, linguists and artists, and every few months, we see a snapshot of that range in this publication. The list of endeavors is always impressive. Each of our students is unique, and those of us who see them each day can clearly observe the progress and development that leads to individual accomplishments. As a faculty, we are constantly looking for ways to understand and inspire each child, so this summer we are reading Susan Cain’s book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” In the book, Cain examines the traits of introverts and argues that their contributions are undervalued, but it is her way of looking at individuality that was most impactful when I read the book a few years ago. For example, Cain writes: “The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers -of persistence, concentration, and insight -to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems. Make art. Think deeply.” During the last few weeks of the year, I hope that everyone will reflect on the many achievements of our O’Neal students, recognizing what have been most special and important successes for each child.
John C. Elmore Head of School
to help with anything from reading with the first grade students to helping with Mackenzie Melton helps with art class. This year Community Prefect Greyson art class to Keel, and her assistants, of which there assisting Middle School students with are twenty-two, have been busy. On an algebra or teaching Chinese to Pre-K4 almost daily basis, Upper School students students. “The Community Prefect visit either the Lower or Middle School Program provides an awesome opportunity for the divisions to mingle,” states Middle Click for School math teacher, Ceci Liner. “When Video I have Upper School students come to Algebra 1, it is a great help. Sometimes having a student explain something to another student is more helpful than having the teacher explain it.”
Lillian Lu and Minghua Xie teach Pre-K4 students Chinese.
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As mentor, Mrs. Robin Prim, stated, “These students give of their free time or study hall periods to make this happen. I am so grateful to each and every one of them. I think they have done an amazing job.”
Bullocks Visit Families in China
pper School math teacher Laura Bullock and her husband, Will, took the opportunity to travel to China over spring break to visit the families of the two Chinese students they are hosting. The Bullocks spent three days with Lu Yang and her family in their apartment in downtown Beijing. Lu took them to visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Tiananmen Square. Lu was very excited to have them visit. “The girls have told us that the one thing they have been most homesick for, while living in the US, is the food from home and now I understand why,” says Laura. The meals are a big deal from a social perspective as well as nutritional. “There were many courses and a large variety of food to choose from, where many times our meals are much simpler at our house,” says Laura. After their stay in Beijing, they traveled by high speed train south across China to visit Lillian Lu in Zuzhou of the Hunan Province. “Lillian has always talked about
her dogs and she was so excited for us to see them in person,” says Laura. With Lillian’s family, the Bullocks were treated to a full day boat ride on a large lake. They had lunch on an island inhabited by fifty families who all fished for a living. Lillian is a junior and Lu is a sophomore. Both girls plan to graduate from O’Neal. “We got to put things into perspective by seeing the girls in their own environments” says Will. The Bullocks were grateful for the hospitality of the girls’ families and the ability to establish lasting relationships.
Laura, Will, Lu and her mother enjoy dinner at Lu’s favorite Korean restaurant in Beijing.
The O’Neal Players Present
“The Mousetrap”
• Varsity Swimming Sweeps States
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he O’Neal Varsity Boys and Girls Swim Teams won the North Carolina Independent School Association (NCISAA) Division 1A/2A Swimming Championship on Monday, February 16th at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. O’Neal finished the competition winning six of the 22 events with six additional 2nd/3rd place finishes, receiving medals for more than half of the total events. O’Neal added two state records with the School now holding record times for five events. The girls team scored a total of 263 points followed by Caldwell Academy with 201. The boys team scored 255 points followed by Carolina Day School with 241. In a repeat championship win, the girls won the 100 Yard Fly with freshman Fiona Duffy swimming a 1:00.23. Freshman Ellie Henry won the 100 Yard Back with a time of 57:99. Fiona and Ellie, joined by 8th grade students Hannah and Jenna Burns, won the 400 Yard Free Relay and achieved a new state record with a time of 1:33.05. First runners–up at last year’s event, the boys’ win of the championship title by 14 points proved their depth as a team. Eighth grade student Chase Osorio won the 50 Yard Free with a time of 22.89. The state record for this event is still held by O’Neal’s own Greg Doughty ’07 with his 2007 time of 22.04. Sophomore Carlos Field won the 100 Yard Fly with a time of 53.93. O’Neal won the 200 Yard Free Relay with a new state record time of 1:33.05. Relay team members are senior Jarred Jenkinson, Carlos Field (10th), Chase Osorio (8th) and sophomore Kyle McClelland.
Winter Sports Records Varsity Girls Swimming: 8-0, 1st in EPIC, 1st in NCISAA Boys Swimming: 8-0, 1st in EPIC, 1st in NCISAA Boys Basketball: 6-13, 3-5 EPIC Girls Basketball: 0-19 Junior Varsity Boys Basketball: 9-10 Middle School Boys Basketball: 5-7 Girls Basketball: 2-7
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he O’Neal Players will be performing Agatha Christie’s well-known play, “The Mousetrap”, on April 24th and 25th at 7pm and April 26th at 6pm at O’Neal’s Hannah Center Theater. Premiering in London’s West End in 1952, “The Mousetrap” has gone on to become the world’s longest running play ever, after having played its 25,000th performance in 2012. This classic whodunit is set against the backdrop of the murder of Mrs. Maureen Lyon—something that is played out in darkness just prior to the beginning of the play. It tells the story of Giles and Mollie Ralston—a young couple who have recently inherited and converted an old manor house into a guesthouse. As the guests fill the house, a murder mystery unveils itself. The production is directed by drama teacher Michael J. Norman and produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. of NY, NY. Performances are free to O’Neal students and $5 to all others. The production is sponsored in part by Dr. Matt Vreeland, Sandhills Emergency Physicians, PA, members of the O’Neal community and The O’Neal Fund.
Upcoming Events
4/24-26 O’Neal Players Present “The Mousetrap” 4/25
Parents’ Association Tag Sale
5/4-8 Summer Reading Book Fair @ The Country Book Shop 5/19
Field Day / Booster Club Sports Physicals
5/20
Blackbird’s Eye/Yearbook Dedication
5/22
Commencement - All School Dismissal at Noon
5/29
Last Day of School
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