Tartan Bagpipe - November 22, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - November 22, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - November 22, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - November 22, 2016
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Students Recognized for Achievement in UMD Math Competition
Every autumn, the University of Maryland organizes a High School Mathematics Competition, open to high school students enrolled in Maryland or the District of Columbia. Holy Cross participates in the competition and recognizes the students who place highest in the school in the first round of the competition. On Monday, November 21 the top four Holy Cross students were recognized during the all-school assembly:
First Place: Katherine Kemp ’17
Second Place: Lei Wang ’17
Third Place: Hugh Zhang ’17
Fourth Place: Jessica Falcinelli ’17
In addition, Katherine Kemp is among the 221 students statewide who qualifies from the first round to move on to the second round of competition—an honor not achieved by a Holy Cross student since the inception of the competition. The top three scorers in the competition are awarded a scholarship for full tuition and expenses at the University of Maryland.
(L-R) Hugh Zhang, Katherine Kemp, Jessica Falcinelli, Lei Wang)
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"No More Hunger Games" Drive Yields Large Donation for Little Sisters of the Poor
This year’s Thanksgiving drive for the Little Sisters of the Poor was themed “No More Hunger Games” after the popular Hunger Games series and took place the week of November 14-18. Homeroom advisories became “Districts” competing to bring in the most items.
To announce the kickoff of the drive a video was shown during an All-School Advisory assembly.
After the drive, over 1,300 items were collected by the advisory “Districts” and donated to the Little Sisters of the Poor.
On Monday, November 21, a concluding video revealed the winning advisory “District” who will receive a prize for their efforts.
The Thanksgiving drive is a coordinated effort organized by the Christian Service office with help from the Campus Ministry department. The videos were created by Education Technology teacher Lauren DeZinno.
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Oxfam Hunger Banquet
The 24th annual Oxfam Hunger Banquet at Holy Cross took place on Tuesday, November 22. In preparation for the assembly Theology classes discussed poverty, conducted an online activity about simulating budgeting, and looked at the importance of meals to our faith. Students also discussed different levels of food insecurity. They also brainstormed about how they could end hunger and completed “Ending hunger begins with” signs that were hung in the auditorium during the Hunger Banquet.
During the Hunger Banquet the community was randomly separated into three economic levels to eat as the world eats. During the assembly students were given Fact/Fictions sheets and asked to give their guess on statements about poverty and hunger.
Students, faculty, and staff were asked to donate $5 (the cost of a lunch meal). Additional funds were raised through an out-of-uniform Tag Day. Proceeds, after expenses, are donated to Oxfam and the Little Sisters of the Poor.
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Tartan Bagpipe - November 28, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - November 28, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - November 29, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - November 29, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - November 30, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - November 30, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 1, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 1, 2016
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Newly-Formed Robotics Team Receives $6,000 NASA Grant
The Academy of the Holy Cross received a $6,000 grant from NASA to support the development of the “AHC Transformers,” robotics team. NASA “Program Growth” grants are offered to teams in their first two years of participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The grant will provide funding to purchase a full robot “kit of parts” and the registration fees for two competitions in March 2017.
To receive the grant, the team prepared a proposal that described the team and its goals. Details included how the team would acquire the resources needed to build a competitive robot for the FIRST Robotics Competition. The proposal included sections on: student and adult leadership; the level of support from the school’s administration; pursuit of corporate and community mentors; and, the planned acquisition of tools and infrastructure. The proposal also detailed how the Holy Cross robotics program would enhance the students’ ability to pursue STEM-related careers.
Brand new to the school this year, the AHC Transformers has over 20 student members who are meeting weekly to prepare for the 2017 FIRST Robotics Competition season. In October, the team participated in an off-season ILITE Robotics competition using a robot borrowed from Glenelg High School. Team members have also attended several technical workshops to prepare for a 6-week design-build session that starts in January 2017. The team is working hard to be ready, in its rookie year, to compete in the March events.
Members of the AHC Transformers robotics team at the October ILITE competition.
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 2, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 2, 2016
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Holy Cross Madrigal Singers to Perform at Bethesda's Winter Wonderland
The Academy of the Holy Cross Madrigal Singer ensemble will perform on Saturday, December 3 at Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland in Veterans Park. The ensemble has performed at the event for several years and is excited to be part of the program again this year. Other schools will also perform during the program that takes place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
For more information visit www.bethesda.org.
Members of the Madrigal Singer ensemble perform in 2015
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 5, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 5, 2016
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Onyx Club on the Move
The Holy Cross Onyx Club attended two art and culture-related field trips in November.
On Friday, November 18, more than 20 members of the club and Co-Moderators Debbie Brown and Brittney Stephenson attended the Jacob Lawrence and Whitfield Lovell Exhibits at The Phillips Collection Art Gallery. The group received information and historical context ahead of the tour for a discussion after viewing the exhibition. Students commented that having the information beforehand enabled them to look for the meaning and creativity in the artwork that displayed the artists’ life and influences.
During the school holiday on Wednesday, November 23, seven Onyx members plus Ms. Brown, Ms. Stephenson and President Katy Prebble toured the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. This is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. The group thoroughly enjoyed the display of African American culture through interactive exhibitions and artifacts. Kristin Peaks ’17 said she was able to learn so much more about her own history and culture while viewing the many amazing museum artifacts. Yvette Kiptoo ’19 remarked how she enjoyed the experience of being on a “history journey” in the History Galleries. The group enjoyed lunch in the museum’s Sweet Home Café. Even the café showcases the rich history and culture of African American people with traditional authentic food, present-day food traditions and the very best version of classic dishes. Four distinct food stations each tell the story of the regional offerings.
The Onyx Club is minority student club open to all students to help them develop a common bond with each other and an appreciation for the diversity of the student body. The club sponsors field trips, club discussions with other schools, informative assemblies and service activities.
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 6, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 6, 2016
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IB Diploma Candidates Tour Diyanet Center of America
On Friday, December 2, the 26 Holy Cross IB Diploma candidates in grades 11 and 12, along with IB World Religions teacher Damon McGraw and President Katy Prebble toured the Diyanet Center of America (DCA). As stated on the DCA website, the center provides religious, social and educational services to Turkish immigrants and Muslims living in the United States. The visit was the culmination of the IB World Religion SL I and II classes’ study of Islam.
Prior to the visit the students read about the DCA, discussed the center in class, practiced Islamic greetings, customs, and how to dress appropriately for the visit to the mosque. During the tour, the students met Sr. Camille, DCA’s event coordinator, and Dr. A.H. Sharif Salim, who gave an introduction to the DCA and answered the students’ many questions. The group toured the Hamam (bathhouse), the recreational center, and the restaurant, where they had a lunch of shawarma. The group also observed Friday Prayers at the mosque (Jum'a). As follow-up to the visit, the students wrote comprehensive reflections about the experience including how the experience affected them and what they learned about themselves and their own religious identity.
Commenting on the experience Jessica Falcinelli ’17 noted that the experience caused her to step outside her comfort zone. Madeline Ratnavale ’17 remarked, “I couldn’t help feeling overcome because it was very special to be there. It was unlike anything I’ve experienced before.” Mary Schech ’17 said, “In a textbook you forget the personal aspect of a religious service.” Alexandra Whittington ’18 said, “It made me wish that everyone in the world could have the opportunity to talk to someone from a different religion, because there is no way that we can understand the nuances of someone else's life without meeting and talking to them.”
This trip was part of the students’ semester Performance Based Assessment. In both the Catholic tradition and the IB curriculum, the goal of studying world religions is to prepare students for living encounters with members of other faiths: to provide them with the knowledge, experience, and skills to build good relationships and engage in constructive dialogue with persons of other faiths.
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 7, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 7, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 8, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 8, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 9, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 9, 2016
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Tartan Bagpipe - December 12, 2016
Tartan Bagpipe - December 12, 2016
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