Winter 2014
The
Crest
happenings around campus
Homecoming Homecoming 2014
was a fun-filled week including the Homecoming Parade, Lower School carnival, Middle School dance, Upper School bonfire and concert, pep rallies, reunions, creative costumes at the senior Character Lunch, and the crowning of this year’s Homecoming Queen, Laura Catrett Tamblyn and Mr. Hero, Troy Dixon. To top off the week, the football team clinched another victory over the Monroe County Tigers.
UMS Class of 1964
Students Around Campus Performances
Kindergarten Presented We are Thankful .
Second Grade Presented Spaced Out.
Around Campus
Third Grade Presented Twas One Crazy Night Before Christmas
Fourth Grade Presented At the Bandstand
Alaina Garsed (senior), Band President, is pictured above performing at the Holiday Concert.
WoW Speaker Bill Sisson Mr. Bill Sisson, UMS-Wright parent and Trustee, was our speaker at October’s Words of Wisdom series. Mr. Sisson is the President of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and spoke about the “spirit of community,” highlighting the business and economic development going on in Mobile and its impact on our city’s future.
Mr. Wilson’s Class Skype Session
Mr. Wilson’s United States Government class Skyped with Mr. Dayne Cutrell, a UMS-Wright alumnus ‘06 and older brother of Mary Cullen Cutrell. Mr. Cutrell is a legislative staff member for U.S. Representative Scott DesJarlais, Republican of Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District. He spoke to the class from his office in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the Skype session was to get a “real world” perspective on some of the issues and concepts the class was learning about such as drafting legislation, conducting campaigns, advising members of Congress, and the interworking of a typical congressional office in D.C. This Skype experience illustrates how technology can lead to more active engagement in learning.
The Future of the
One to One
Program
Mr. Walton’s English class enjoys their laptops in the classroom Seniors visited with their K5 buddies.
K4 kids dressed up as different Community Helpers.
No Shave November The goal of No Shave November is to grow cancer awareness in a unique way. Principal Doug Barber and his team raised over $3,300. All of the proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.
BREAKFAST WITH Mayor Stimpson visited with Mrs. Funk’s class during Community Helpers week.
The Lower School Music Ex-
The Lower School Music Explorers class plorers visitedBandroom. the Bulldog visited class the Bulldog
Bandroom
Santa
Our K4 and K5 Classes each took a turn telling Santa their wishes.
Awards
&
Achievements
Red Ribbon Week 5th grade student, Campbell Johnson was chosen to represent UMS-Wright as the 2014-2015 Superintendent’s Red Ribbon Leadership Award Winner for the Mobile Area Drug Education Council. This award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding student from each school in Mobile and Baldwin counties who excels in community service and leadership. Campbell helped promote Red Ribbon Week for the lower school this year.
AMEA Music Program
Eight UMS-Wright Lower School students attended the Alabama Music Educators Elementary Music Festival in Birmingham, Alabama on the campus of Samford University. Our students participated in the festival with 465 other students from across the state of Alabama. Following a full day of practice, the students presented a concert to the parents and the Birmingham community at Samford University. Congratulations to the following students on a job well done: Daniel Harvey, Will Kittrell, Louise Tyrrell Ford, Carolina Grace Taylor, Max Buchman, William Denson, Virginia Ladd, and Lee Lee Mostellar.
Swimming
The girls won 1A-5A State Runner-Up!! Each one of our girls swam personal bests for this year, and each one contributed to the riches brought home to UMS-Wright. After this year UMS-Wright continues to hold more state records than any school in the state of Alabama: TJ Leon in the 50 and 100 Freestyle; Marlin Brutkiewicz in the 100 Breaststroke; and Paige Madden in the 200 Individual Medley, the 100 Freestyle and the 100 Backstroke. This is a prestigious accomplishment for a 4A school in the 1A-7A world of swimming!!
Cross Country
After a great season, both the Girls’ and Boys’ Cross-Country teams advanced to the AHSAA CrossCountry State Meet in Moulton, AL. The girls took 2nd place, with the boys placing 5th. Robert Hope’s 16:04.02 gave him his second individual State Championship and set a new state record.
Chess Tournament
UMS-Wright hosted a chess tournament on Saturday, October 18, and five students came away with prizes/awards. Sophia Palacio took 7th place and won a Bronze Medal, while Ann “Scooter” Burmeister took 5th place and received a Silver Medal for the Unrated section. Other UMS-Wright players in this section were Alex Baker, Rob Wingate, Sam Norris, and Preston Alford. Playing in his first tournament, Ethan Palacio took 3rd place. In the Rated section, Max Block took 5th place and won a Silver Medal, while James Betancourt won the championship trophy with a perfect 4 wins, 0 losses record, gaining 240 rating points in the process.
UMS-Wright students Around the
Community.
At
Camp Grace
At Prichard Prep
The 8th grade took its annual trip to Camp Grace in October. While there, they completed a team building high ropes course, listened to a guest speaker about character building, played games, and built picnic tables, adirondak chairs, benches, and deer feeders to sell as a fundraiser in support of UCP and Camp Rap A Hope. As a result, we were able to donate $3,500 to Camp Rap A Hope and $3,500 to UCP!
Mrs. Adcock’s Accounting class has adopted Prichard Preparatory’s 4th and 5th graders for the school year. Once a month, our students visit Prichard Prep to help teach their students about banking and personal finance through innovative and fun techniques such as playing Monopoly.
Lower School Service Projects
Each fall, the Lower School takes on several service projects around the community. This year, the students participated in the “BULLDOGS CAN Do It “ can drive which helps to feed the homeless; K4 made ornaments for Wilmer Hall; K5 donated toiletry items to the residents of Westminster Village and visited with them to sing songs and recite poems; 1st Grade brought in toys to benefit Penelope House; 2nd Grade donated toys and toiletries to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital; 3rd Grade brought in cans and toiletries to fill up backpacks for The Joseph Project-Supports Dumas Wesley; 4th Grade was responsible for bringing items for the homeless through Government Street Presbyterian Church and helped support a Christmas Breakfast; and the 5th Grade brought in new toys to donate to Candy Cane Christmas with Ransom Café.
Joseph Rice, Cate Courtney, Emmy Eckert, and Jackson Caulder; all 4th graders; represented UMS-Wright at the Veteran’s Program Parade of Flags at the Battleship.
JV cheerleaders cheered at the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
Lower School Chorus Performance
UMS-Wright Lower School Chorus went to WALA Fox 10 Studios to film for the presentation Sounds of the Season. The show is an hour-long broadcast that featured choral groups from the Mobile area and was aired several times throughout December.
Seniors
Out to Lunch at Felix’s
Parents’ Association
Walk the Dawg 2014
Our Parents’ Association has had a busy year putting together multiple events benefiting our school! Thank you to all of our committee leaders, sponsors, and volunteers for your help in making each of these events happen.
DAWGS on the Hunt
Big Dawg Sponsors: Iberia Bank, Pilot Catastrophe Services, Yance Law Firm Huntin’ Dawg Sponsors: Hancock Bank, Mobile Glass, Premier Medical Group Chairs: Walsh Arendall and Dana Yance Raised: $19,189
College Tour
Bulldog Run
Title Sponsors: Encore Rehabilitation Inc., The Orthopaedic Group P.C., U-J Chevrolet Awards Sponsors: Burkholder Insurance, Inc., Mobile Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Dermatology Chairs: Melissa Miller and Paige Aran Raised: $15,325
Twenty-three students attended this year’s College Campus Tour. They visited schools throughout Texas and Louisiana, including Texas A & M, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Baylor University, St. Edwards University, University of Texas, Rice University, Louisiana State University, Tulane University and Loyola University. The schools were selected because they offer diverse opportunities such as size, programs, and selectivity. Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Reaves and Dr. Havard accompanied the students on the tour.
Calendar of Events January 6 January 19 February 16 - 20 March 13 March 27 April 3 - 10
Classes Resume School Holiday Mardi Gras Break End 3rd Quarter Puttin’ On the Dawg Spring Break
Alumni Events February 12 March 21 March 25 March 29
Arts Hall of Fame Easter Egg Hunt Lyon Newell Throws Meet Kickball Tournament
Events Around Town
UMS-Wright Golf Classic Title Sponsors: Eastern Shore Toyota, Eastern Shore Hyundai Supporting Sponsors: Steelwood, Valley Food Services Chairs: Ken Brown and Paige Plash Raised: $22,000 for the Golf Program and the Eddie Holmes Legacy Endowment
UMS-Wright Invites You To The
Arts Hall of Fame Thursday, February 12, 2015
INDUCTION CEREMONY
9:30 A.M. | Dunlap Auditorium
LUNCHEON
11:00 A.M. | Moorer Reception Gallery
INDUCTEES FOR 2015
Studio: Joy Ogburn Gardner ’78 Performance: Matt Vinson ‘99 Literary: Douglas Waterman ’98 Photography: Liz Stokes Terry ‘75 Honorary: Kathy Whitinger Thompson
Capital Campaign Update
A d va n c i n g Our Mission The Advancing Our Mission Capital Campaign is off to a great start. Thank you to those who have pledged and given their support. If you have any questions or would like to donate, please visit our website or contact Julie Otts at (251) 470-9039 or jotts@ums-wright.org. Allen Garsteki ‘03, Jack Cunningham ‘03, John Brooks ‘03, and Jillian Henning ‘01 joined Laura Davison ‘01 at the Birmingham Alumni gathering. They were excited to hear about the new plans for the future.
UMS-Wright Preparatory School Advancement Office 65 Mobile Street Mobile, Alabama 36607
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID
Mobile, AL Permit No. 1202
Photos taken by Liz Terry, Jim Owen Photography, Fusion Point, parents, faculty and staff. Design by Eliza Lewis and printing by Gwin’s.
Homecoming 2014... a week filled with service, fun and spirit.
The 2014-15 Annual Fund
It all starts with an investment that lasts a lifetime.
Each year, we actively choose UMS-Wright to be the center of our children’s lives. We do not take this choice lightly. It is made as a direct result of the values, honor, academic challenge, love and support given to and expected from our children by the School. We can think of no better use of our time and money than to support the incredible institution that shapes every aspect of their lives on a daily basis. Please join us in supporting the Annual Fund, which offers relief to the operating budget and directly affects the very students, faculty and programs critical to the success of the School. - Katie and Rob McGinley For more information contact Julie Otts at jotts@ums-wright.org or 251-470-9039.