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Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of February 16
This week, we decided to focus on a few of our major upcoming events to encourage your attendance and support as well as highlight some recent student achievements.
We also take a detailed look at our Varsity sports teams. Next week, we will focus on our JV, Freshman and Modified sports teams.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Experience the richness of the Academies
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Would you like to taste food from nearly 25 countries and cultures? Would you like to participate in a Latin dance demonstration? Do you want to learn more about quilting, calligraphy and Mardi Gras mask making?
Please plan to attend the International Taste of the World Festival set for Saturday, February 28 from 3-5:30 p.m. on the East Campus. The event promises to be a special celebration for our community -- be sure to bring your family and friends!
Thank you to the many Academies families who have agreed to participate and share their culture with other families and to World Languages Chair Donna Keegan for organizing this first-ever international festival at the Academies. |
"As part of the French National Honor Society, we will be making Creole rice and offering attendees the chance to make Mardi Gras masks at the festival. It is so very important to raise awareness about different cultures of the world, and this event will be a great chance for people of all ages to learn about the vast cultural diversity that exists at the Academies." -- Darcy Benson '10, Isabelle Jansen '10, Adah Keegan '10 and Samantha Miorin '10 from the French National Honor Society (pictured left to right in above left photo)
Click here for the International Taste of the World Festival.
For more information, contact Madame Keegan at keegand@albanyacademies.org.
Visiting Artist Series a unique tradition at the Academies
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The Visiting Artist Series is a special opportunity for students to experience an enriching arts program as part of their educational experience and be introduced to the majesty and beauty of different aspects of the arts. Funded by the Parents Association, this series brings artists in the performing and visual arts to the Academies.
We are proud to welcome the following individuals to our school as part of the program: |
March 2, 2009 -- David Alan Miller will present his "Meet the Maestro" program to Lower School students, 11:45 a.m., East Campus Auditorium
March 5, 2009 -- The Lake George Opera Company, an exciting program for Lower & Middle School students, 9:10 a.m., Caird Chapel, West Campus
April 22-24, 2009 -- Actor & Director Tim O'Leary will be working with students from all divisions as part of the Kermani Arts Days.
Click here for more information.
Excitement grows for Children's Book Festival
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Children's author Emily Arnold McCully is eagerly anticipating taking part in the first-ever Children's Book Festival at the Academies on Friday, April 17 from 3-7 p.m. on the West Campus.
This award-winning author and illustrator will join 20 other distinguished writers and illustrators at the festival as we bring the excitement and enchantment of books to life. There will also be fun and interactive workshops and activities for children of all ages, presentations by the authors and illustrators and special readings of the author’s books throughout the event. |
Best known for her Caldecott Gold Medal winner, Mirette on the High Wire -- a story based on the real life adventures of dare-devil extraordinaire Blondin -- McCully is also well-known for her wordless picture books: Picnic, First Snow and School. She has illustrated more than 100 books for children!
"I'm delighted that so many wonderful readers have been reading and thinking about my books. I naturally took up writing and illustrating as a small child and found that I viewed the world in story terms from a very young age. My parents were very literary and encouraged me to read, as did my teachers and librarians. I encourage all students at the Academies to find a topic that they enjoy reading about, and to get ready for the Children's Book Festival as we delve into a magical world together." -- Emily Arnold McCully
Contact Blanche Vellano at bvellano@nycap.rr.com if you would like to volunteer.
Click here for the Children's Book Festival flyer.
Help support a deserving student
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"Your support of our Spring Gathering -- An Evening of Music & Magic is so important and crucial to the long-term success of the Academies.
Funds raised at this special event greatly support our scholarship and financial aid programs, ensuring that we continue to have the ability to provide academic opportunities to deserving students." -- Susan K. Tobin, Director of Annual Giving |
Spring Gathering will be held on Saturday, April 18 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at The Franklin Terrace in Troy. Tickets are $85 per person. The artistic and musical talents of our students will add a magical touch to the evening!
Click here for the Spring Gathering flyer.
Click here to join the Spring Gathering Honorary Committee.
Click here to advertise in the Spring Gathering program.
Click here to become a Spring Gathering corporate sponsor.
Click here to donate a Spring Gathering auction item.
For more information, contact Ms. Tobin at (518) 429-2448 or tobins@albanyacademies.org.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Student newspaper takes shape!
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Mrs. McQueen's 6th grade girls have begun creating their annual student newspapers and are eagerly awaiting the chance to unveil their masterpieces.
This is the third consecutive year that the 6th grade class has taken part in this project, which teaches the girls the importance of the editing process and other crucial writing skills.
The unit began at the end of January with a visit from Eric Randall (father of Julia Randall '15), Editor-in-Chief for the New York State School Boards Association and former USA Today reporter. Mr. Randall gave the girls copies of the NYSSBA newspaper prior to the lesson and asked them to look for errors to get them actively reading. |
"There was a high degree of overlap between the work that I do and the types of writing skills that Mrs. McQueen was trying to reinforce with the students. The student newspaper project is excellent because it reinforces the importance of peer work and self-editing, both of which are strongly emphasized at the Academies." -- Eric Randall
The students have enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the creation of the school newspaper. Lexi Nahl '13 continues to utilize the writing and editing skills that she learned two years ago in the 6th grade.
"You learn so much about constructing a well-written piece through the 6th grade student newspaper project. I would like to become a broadcast journalist when I grow up, so it was very rewarding to learn about the interview process and the importance of meeting deadlines." -- Lexi Nahl '13 (pictured in above left photo with Mrs. McQueen and Sarah Jones '15)
STUDENT ACCOLADES
Special recognition goes out to...
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Three Academies students -- Valerie Altounian '09, Drue Sokol '09 and Janice Kim '11 -- had their artwork accepted into the prestigious Regional High School Juried Art Exhibition being held in Mandeville Gallery at Union College through March 1. Valerie also received a Juried Award for Painting at the exhibition (her painting is pictured at left).
The Regional High School Juried Art Exhibition recognizes the accomplishments of our talented local student artists. A special reception will be held with guest speaker Fernando Orellano of Union College on Sunday, March 1 from 1-3 p.m. in Mandeville Gallery.
All are welcome to attend and check out the outstanding work of our Academies artists! |
Stephen Meigher (Form VI) has been selected for a Presidential Scholarship by Hobart College and offered a $12,000 per year scholarship!
Jake Gao (Form VI) has been named a finalist in the ultra competitive University of Virginia - Jefferson Scholars Program, awarded to candidates who demonstrate excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship and citizenship. Scholars receive a full scholarship to UVA for four years -- more than $40,000 per year for out of state students. Jake has been invited to Charlottesville, VA for the Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend from March 25-29.
Valerie Altounian '09 will receive a Presidential Scholarship to Rochester Institute of Technology and has been selected to participate in the school's Honors Program. She will receive an $11,000 per year scholarship to RIT.
Akanshu Srivastav (Form III), Peter Schmitz-Morfe (Form III) and Jemila Hoyte-King '12 attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20 in Washington, D.C. The students also visited many of the city's monuments, listened to a variety of speakers and participated in a simulation of Senate committees observing two opposing advocacy groups for policies regarding energy and the environment.
Arielle King '16 performed at the Palace Theater in Albany recently as part of Black History Month. Arielle did an outstanding job in her rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."
WINTER SPORTS
A look back at the winter sports season
Pictured (left to right) are members of the Boys Varsity Swim Team; Megan Lewis '10 of the Girls Varsity Squash Team; and George Featherstonehaugh (Form V) of the Boys Varsity Wrestling Team.
The Girls Varsity Squash Team is wrapping up its second season in which the girls made great strides. Led by Captain Megan Lewis '10, the team competed in its first interscholastic match with Berkshire School and hopes to build on this valuable experience as well as continue to improve its squash skills in the future.
The Girls Varsity Hockey Team experienced the full range of being a rookie team with some early season losses by large scores. The pay off was not seen in the win-lose column but did show up in their quality of play. Kaitlin Pericak '11 made history as she scored the very first two goals in the history of AAG hockey. Kaitlin and Pauline Grey '11 tied for top honors for goals scored. Many thanks to Captain Kaitlyn Steinhorst '09 for her leadership and hard work.
The Girls Varsity Basketball Team currently has a record of 4-15 that includes an impressive 43-40 win over Schalmont at the 2009 Coaches vs. Cancer High School Challenge held at the Times Union Center on January 25. Amanda Cioffi '10 leads the team with 250 points while Jill Verde '10 is second with 201 points.
The Girls Varsity Ski Team placed sixth at sectionals held at Gore Mountain on February 10. The team was led by strong runs from Captains Michelle Bielak '09 and Madison Daly '10, followed by Hannah Maloy '09 and Alex MacAffer '14. Michelle had a ninth place finish in the Slalom. The sixth place finish at the sectionals represents the best finish by the team since its inception in 2005. All the girls shared in completing a great season. Other team members were Bridget Malicki '11, Lauren Hughes '11 and Dani Harris '12. The team finished the season with 1 third place finish and 2 fourth place finishes.
The Boys Varsity Ski Team finished fourth at sectionals held at Gore Mountain on February 10. The team was led by Captain Sam Spitalny (Form VI), who finished seventh in GS and ninth in the Slalom, followed by Zach MacAffer (Form III), Jake Centofranchi (Form V), Connor Hermann (Form III) and Xavier Salvador (Form I). Impressive performances by Chris Briener (Form IV) and Brian Mellin (Form IV) rounded out the team. The team finished the season with 3 third place finishes and 4 fourth place finishes.
The Boys Varsity Basketball Team has had an outstanding season. Led by Chris Pelcher (Form VI), Jamel Fields (Form V) and Jimmer Bennett (Form VI), the #2 ranked team in the state has compiled a 19-1 record as it heads into sectionals. The team defeated Cohoes 80-45 at its Senior Night held this past Friday as Chris, Jimmer, Tyler Foster (Form VI), Lamar Patton (Form VI) and Meeshan Reid (Form VI) were recognized for their contributions to the team.
The Boys Varsity Swim Team used its strength of team depth to place second in the Section 2 Small School Division Championships held this past weekend. A total of 21 different swimmers qualified for the meet with 13 different swimmers scoring points in the finals. Joe O'Connor (Form VI) led the way for the Cadets, as he placed second in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 breaststroke. In addition, he was a member of the second place 200 Medley Relay with Lucas Hass (Form VI), Wyatt Pritchard (Form II) and Alex Zacharczenko (Form V), and O'Connor anchored the 3rd place 200 Free Relay with Elias Quinn (Form V), Pritchard and Zacharczenko. The team completed its dual meet season with a 7-4 record, including a memorable win over Shaker High School.
The Boys Varsity Wrestling Team finished the season with a 10-9 record, including winning the Ichabod Crane Tournament in mid-January. With a starting lineup consisting of all underclassmen, the team looks to continue to improve on this season's success. Co-Captains George Featherstonhaugh (Form V) and David Buran (Form V) have worked hard to improve the program and provided excellent leadership for the young team. The boys wrestled very well at the sectional tournament, with Jarrett Zeh (Form II) and Renel Potter (Form V) placing sixth, Stuart Curtis (Form IV) placing fifth and George Featherstonehaugh placing fourth. George will continue on this weekend at the Division 2 Tournament at the Glens Falls Civic Center as he attempts to qualify for the State Tournament.
The Boys Varsity Hockey Team has a record of 5-29 with four games remaining. Goaltender Colin Stevens (Form IV) ranks second in the New England Prep League with 1,212 minutes played and first with 1,075 total saves. Forward Zack Popp (Form V) is currently ranked 11th in scoring with 23 goals. Zach and Matt Rakoczy (Form V) lead the team with 34 total points.
Next week we will take a special look at our JV, Freshman and Modified sports teams!
The Albany Academies is committed to developing the potential of the whole individual by building a community that fosters scholarship, leadership, character, service, and creativity. Our Compass of Core Values includes responsibility, self-discipline, compassion, ingenuity, respect, service, integrity and perseverance.
If you have any questions or comments about this electronic newsletter, please contact Ann Wendth, Director of External Affairs, at (518) 429-2385 or wendtha@albanyacademies.org, or Adam Doling, Communications Associate, at (518) 429-2344 or dolinga@albanyacademies.org.
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2010-2011 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
SPRING/SUMMER 2010 ISSUE OF A2 ACADEMIES MAGAZINE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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