Monthly Report to Parents May 2017 - Lowcountry Prep

!May 2017, Volume 17

300 Blue Stem Dr, Pawleys Island, SC (843) 237-4147 www.lowcountryprep.org

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Monthly Report to Parents

May 2017

May 2017, Volume 17The Class of 2017!

Parents, grandparents, family members, friends, and students f i l l e d t h e g y m f o r Commencement on May 30, 2017. To the sound of “Scotland the Brave” stepped the trustees and then the members of the faculty and staff. Seniors made their entrance as Sir Edward Elgar’s traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” played. Father David Thurlow opened the ceremony with the invocation. Board Chair Woofie McClary and Head of School Scott Gibson III conferred diplomas upon the 15 members of the senior class.

This year’s valedictorian was Caroline Warren who is headed t o B r o w n U n i v e r s i t y . Salutatorian Coleman Lucas is headed to Washington and Lee University.

Mrs. Vanessa E. Wyche, a senior execut ive a t the Nat ional Aeronautics and Space Center (NASA), was our guest speaker. Her message to the members of the senior class was to dream big and to approach college with the

confidence that each of them can be whatever he or she dreams of being. She recalled receiving a chemistry set as a child and how that chemis t ry se t led to undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and, subsequently, to various high-level positions at NASA.

Remarkably talented are the members of the Class of 2017. We will miss their fine work both in the classroom and on the athletic fields and courts. We wish them success and remind them they are always welcome back home, here on campus.

http://www.lowcountryprep.org



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Baccalaureate Service

Father Clay Millener presided over the baccalaureate service on May 30, 2017. He and Father Grafe kindly made available the chapel at All Saints Episcopal upon discovery that the chapel on Pawleys Island was under repair.

Fa the r Mi l l ene r ’s message centered upon Psalm 139, a Psalm of David. The psalm describes the omnipresence of God. Father Millener emphasized to members of the senior class the importance of knowing oneself, just as God knows and cares for each and every one of us.

As is traditionally the case, members of the alumni joined the service. This year, they included Margar i t e McCla ry, Lydon Manning, Reese Starnes, Stellings Lee, Nicole Diaz, Leo Gibson, and Jessica Mangialardo. The alumni joined members of the senior class and the Middle and Upper School faculty and staff for the event.

Baccalaureate Dinner

Following the Baccalaureate Service at All Saints Episcopal, the Baccalaureate Dinner was held at Frank’s Restaurant in Pawleys Island. Members of the senior class and their teachers gathered at a long table reminiscent of dining scenes from Hogwarts Dining Hall of Harry Potter fame.

Entree options included panéed chicken breast, shrimp and grits, Caesar salad, and wood fired pizza nicely punctuated by homemade cookies—pancake in size—for dessert.

Animated chatter concerned the u p c o m i n g c o m m e n c e m e n t ceremony and plans for the summer.

Members of the senior class and Middle and Upper School teachers are most grateful to the McClarys.

Final Choices of Colleges and Universities

With multiple acceptances each, our seniors have made their choices of colleges and universities:

Sara Balding: College of Charleston

Josie Buffington: College of Charleston

Haven Busbee: Presbyterian College

Hannah Fesperman: Erskine College

Martha Grace Lammonds: Lander University

Brice Landstreet: The Citadel

Coleman Lucas: Washington and Lee University

Emory McClary: Wofford College

Oluwaseun Olatunji: Southern Wesleyan University

Emerson Pate: Wofford College

Ansley Peace: American University of Paris

Sophia Razzi: College of Charleston

Myles Starnes: The Citadel

Sarah Caroline Warren: Brown University

G a v i n Z h o u : S t o n y B r o o k University




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Students Recognized at Middle and Upper School Awards Day

Middle School Awards

• Character: Molly Lonon

• English: Georgia Beach

• Mathematics: Olivia Collins

• Social Studies: Thomas Prosser

• Life Sciences: Gigi Bohan

• Physical Science: Georgia Beacham

• Spanish: Olivia Collins

• Art: Thomas Prosser, Olivia Collins

• Theater: Cameron Tedrow

• PE: Lillian Antonelli

Upper School Awards

• Character: Josie Mangialardo

• English: Caroline Warrend

• Mathematics: Chetna Patel

• Social Studies: Brian Duggan

• Life Sciences: Brian Duggan

• Physical Science: Blake Errico

• French: James Thurlow

• Spanish: Blake Errico

• Art: Molly Rumph

• PE: Emory McClary

Scholar Awards

• 6th Grade: David Allen

• 7th Grade: Cameron Tedrow

• 8th Grade: Olivia Collins

• 9th Grade: James Thurlow

• 10th Grade: Chetna Patel

• 11th Grade: Brian Duggan

• 12th Grade: Caroline Warren

Scholar Awards

• Senior Speech Award: Coleman Lucas

• Headmaster’s Award: Caroline Warren

• Sessions Award: Liz Cook

• Sessions Award: John Landstreet




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Lower School Moving Up Ceremony

The Lower School Moving Up Ceremony took place in the gym on May 30, 2017. Lucy Akers, Maddie Davis, Emma Rusnak, and Mary Thurlow led guests in singing the National Anthem. Reese Dooms and Joel Hankens followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. Jaxton Prosser and Dale Sankum then led the audience in the Lord’s Prayer.

As is her custom, the talented Mrs. Kay Harris modified the words to “Bye, Bye, Bye,” which the talented fifth-graders crooned. Then, students from all Lower School grades vigorously sang, “I’m Ready to Go!”

Ms. Jamie Prosser followed with the presentation of awards, which were many. The students clearly appreciated their medals!

The bittersweet “moving up” then took place, with fifth graders moving to the Middle School under the guidance of Mr. David Suber. Thereafter, fourth moved to fifth, third to fourth, and so on down to the pre-K move to Kindergarten. Touching were the farewells between teachers and their students. They tend to grow quite attached over the course of the academic year, which is fitting.




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Sports Banquet

A l a r g e c r o w d f i l l e d t h e gymnasium for the annual Sports Banquet on May 10, 2017. The evening began with a tremendous chicken dinner provided by Moe’s Barbecue. Awards followed.

They were many! This year’s award to the scholar-athlete went to Coleman Lucas. R. P. Sehorn emerged as a repeat winner of the Ellen Donkle Spirt Award.

Coaches presented both the Coaches’ Award and the MVP Award to members of their respective teams:

Boys Soccer: Coaches’-Julian Mathis; MVP - Rayce Gibson

Volleyball: Coaches’-Peyton Little; MVP - Tanea Miller

Girls Tennis: Coaches’-Sophia Razzi; MVP - Emerson Pate

Middle School Soccer: Coaches - Venus Demello; MVP-Cameron Tedrow

JV Girls Basketball: Coaches’- Lillian Antonelli; MVP - Brooke Ashton

Varsity Girls Basketball: Coaches’ -- Tanea Miller, MVP - Emerson Pate

Varsity Boys Basketball: Coaches’ - Blake Errico and Madison Welch; MVP - Brice Landstreet

Girls Soccer: Coaches’ - Sophia Razzi; MVP - Cooper Whitlock

Boys Tennis: Coaches’=Wilson G r a y s o n ; M V P - O l u w a s e u n Olatunji

Boys Golf: Coaches’ - Albert Miller and Andy Williams; MVP - Hannah Fesperman




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Field Day!

A blue sky and a warm sun greeted eager participants in Field Day on May 26, 2017! So, too, did Coaches Iain Riddle, Ben Tanoff, and Becky McDonald who organized the event.

Main activities included two water slides, a slip-n-slide, sponge races, and water balloon fights.

“Love to see these kids let loose at the end of the year and enjoy themselves,” said Coach Riddle. “They’ve worked hard this academic year and deserve a little time to relax.”

Although the Fire Department could not make it this year, participants departed much as they did last year, namely with wide grins and wet clothes. Thank you, Coaches Riddle, Tanoff, and Becky!

Three Selected for Boys State—Make That Four!

Candidates for Boys State, namely John Augustino, Rayce Gibson, and Andy Williams, were all selected to attend this summer’s session—nice work! News of their s e l ec t i o n came j u s t w eek s following interviews on campus in April. At that point, we had placed the highest number of boys in school history in Boys State for one year.

Then, rising senior Peter Thurlow announced that he, too, had been selected for Boys Statel! Thurlow earned his seat through active involvement in supporting the American Legion since he was a young boy in Summerton.

The American Legion founded Boys State in 1935. It founded a similar program for girls, Girls State. Senior Coleman Lucas was a participant in the latter. The objective of both programs is “teaching government from the township to the state level.”

End of a Tradition

More that a few discreet tears were shed as Head of School Scott G i b s o n I I I p r e s e n t e d t h e Hamburgers for Hoops crew a framed and signed picture of the student body. Over the years, the crew has included Board Chair Woofie McClary, Salters McClary, Sue Tiller, John McMillen, and other temporary members.

Board Chair Woofie McClary founded the crew eight years ago. As a varsity basketball assistant coach, she needed a way to raise money for the team. Thus, Hamburgers for Hoops was born.

Hamburgers for Hoops was not merely lunch on Wednesday. It has been a living lesson in character for our students, members of our faculty and staff, and our families. Consistent volunteer duty with a smile each Wednesday spanning eight years constitutes a powerful lesson in dedication to our school, taking care of others, and believing in an institution. Thank you, Hamburgers for Hoops!




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Lower School: Kristi Rhoades

Mrs. Rhoades is well known for her enthusiasm and vibrant instruction in the classroom. She is also well known for her excellent work in STEM. She and Mrs. Jennifer Carson are the engines of the Lower School’s STEM Program. Their associated field trips and after-school programs are popular among their students.

Middle School: Greg Lutz

Mr. Lutz pays close attention to the performances of his respective m a t h s t u d e n t s . H e c l o s e l y coordinates with teachers both below him and above him to ensure that his students are where they need to be. This summer, he is offering a math “boot camp” to students who’d like to brush up or get ahead.

Upper School: Maggie Dunlap

In her third year with us, Maggie successfully transitioned the Spanish students this year to the national level Spanish exam on which her students performed particularly well. Her near-native fluency is a function of time spent growing up in El Salvador. Each year she becomes a better and better teacher.

End of Year Teachers’ Reception at Frank’s

Board Chair Woofie McClary and Salters McClary, owners of Frank’s Restaurant, generously hosted the end-of-year reception for teachers on May 9, 2017. During the reception, Teacher of the Year Awards were presented, and parting gifts were presented to those teachers heading on to greener pastures. Board Chair McClary thanked the teachers for their work and reiterated her solidarity with the teachers in the continuous improvement of and dedication to our school.




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Summer Hours

School will be open all summer with work weeks beginning on Monday and concluding on Thursday. Hours are 9 AM to 1 PM. If you require access to school during additional hours, call us at (843) 237-4147. We will be glad to accommodate you.

Summer Reading

C h e c k t h e w e b s i t e a t www.lowcountryprep.org where you will find your summer reading lists posted.

Send Prospective Families!

If you know of families whose children would benefit from an excellent education, send them our way. Despite sophisticated digital and hard copy advertising, word of mouth remains one of the most e f f e c t i v e m e a n s b y w h i c h independent schools grow. With the school open all summer, we can meet with and tour families around a schedule that suits them.




Documents

Monthly Report to Parents May 2017 - Lowcountry Prep