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Friday, April 09, 2010
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of April 5
Academy students impress with science research projects!
Pictured (left to right) are Roma Luthra '10 with Science Department Chair Bo Buran during the Independent Science Research presentations in Caird Chapel on the AA campus; a slide of Katherine Cattini '10's presentation; and Mr. Buran, Alydaar Rangwala (Form V), Ankur Patel (Form VI) & Katherine Cattini.
Congratulations to the four Academy students -- Katherine Cattini '10, Roma Luthra '10, Ankur Patel (Form VI) and Alydaar Rangwala (Form V) -- who displayed their work at the Independent Science Research presentations on Wednesday in Caird Chapel.
Katherine discussed her work on "Neurofibromatosis Type 1," a hereditary disease that can cause death and is found in 1 out of 3,000 Americans. She conducted her research with her mentor, Dr. Kevin Pumiglia of Albany Medical College. Meanwhile, Roma worked with Dr. Frank L. Rice of Albany Medical College on her project titled "Changes in Cutaneous Neural Structure Seen in ALS Patients." Their goal was to find a better test to diagnose ALS.
Ankur worked with Professor Nate Cady from the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University at Albany on his project titled "Nanotechnology: Direct Cell Printing Nanotechnology." His field of research is an application of effectively printing bacteria a certain geometric distance from each other to induce a response called quarum sensing. Finally, Alydaar worked with Dr. Frank L. Rice of Albany Medical College on finding the effects of UVA 1 light on the migration of dendritic cells, which are cells that are critical to creating and regulating an immune response in the body.
All of the students did an outstanding job with their projects. Special thanks to Science Department Chair Bo Buran for assisting the students with their projects.
Military veteran returns to the Academies!
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Heath Twichell '52 (pictured at left), a West Point graduate who retired as a colonel after two tours of combat duty in Vietnam, returned to the Academies yesterday and today to speak with Academy students and serve as the final speaker of the 2009-2010 Alumni/ae Speaker Series.
Mr. Twichell, who has a Ph.D. in History, taught at West Point and the U.S. Naval War College. He lives in Portsmouth, VA with his wife, Mary, and continues to teach part-time at the Naval War College.
He spoke to Upper School History classes this morning about the role of African Americans in the military during our nation's history and his own experience serving as a young Army second lieutenant at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. |
Mr. Twichell spoke to all Upper School students this afternoon in Caird Chapel on the AA campus. The title of his talk was "Some of My Heroes" and included a tribute to the "Little Rock Nine." An excellent article about him appeared in today's Times Union.
VIEW THE ARTICLE.
Many thanks to him for returning to our school to share his experiences with our students and faculty.
Academy students excel on National Latin Exam
The 2010 National Latin Exam was held on March 13, and our Academy students were joined by more than 150,000 other students from the U.S. and 13 other countries around the world. Congratulations to the following students for earning awards:
Introduction to Latin Exam: Achievement Award -- Sanchi Saitia '15, Cara DePan '15, Sarah Jones '15, Paige Moynihan '15, Keenan Boscoe (Form I) & Lex Pryor (Form I)
Outstanding Achievement Award -- Julia Randall '15, AJ Kamath (Form I), Tycho Niessen (Form I), Kammeron Filanova (Form I), Joseph Connolly (Form I) & Nicholas Lau (Form I)
****Perfect Paper/Outstanding Achievement Award -- Mary Bischoff '15 & Elizabeth Cassidy '15****
Latin I Exam: Cum Laude -- Christine Rowley '14, Laurel Downie '14 & Daniel Mahoney (Form II)
Silver Medal/Maxima Cum Laude -- Lauren Lohmiller '14, Sarah Rapoport '14, Jacob Choi (Form II) & Jeffrey Gritsavage (Form II)
Latin II Exam: Cum Laude -- Dillon Flood (Form III)
Magna Cum Laude -- Akanshu Srivastav (Form IV)
Latin III Exam: Cum Laude -- Sarah Naftzger '12, Lily Glucksman '12 & Anthony Rossi (Form IV)
Latin IV Poetry Exam: Magna Cum Laude -- Thomas Alston (Form V)
Gold Medal/Summa Cum Laude -- Ilia Karp (Form V)
Model UN Club engages in global debates
Pictured (left to right) is Akanshu Srivastav (Form IV) speaking to his committee at the IDIA Model United Nations Conference; Max Yanover (Form VI) responding in a committee session; and Julia Baldwin '10, Rachelle Kredentser '12 & Darcy Benson '10 listening to the committee advisers speaking on a topic.
Seventeen Academy students from the Model United Nations Club attended the IDIA Model United Nations Conference in Philadelphia from March 25-28.
The conference focused on the effects of globalization in the Middle East. The students were assigned country delegations and committees, and prepared by writing position papers for each of their committee topics. As always, our Academy students performed well and many were able to pass resolutions in their committees.
Hats off to Academy girls!
Random acts of kindness have been taking place across our school recently. Julie Kamath '12 decided last summer that she did not want presents for her 16th birthday party; she wanted to help support Gilda's Club of the Capital Region, an organization that helps families going through cancer treatment. Julie raised more than $2,500 in cash and $400-500 in pantry products for the organization.
In a similar display of selflessness, Elizabeth Cassidy '15 asked all of the attendees at her 13th birthday party to bring a product for an animal shelter instead of a gift.
All of us at the Academies are so proud of Julie and Elizabeth for their selfless actions and amazing generosity.
Important AAG & AA Commencement notice
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All senior families should have received an email regarding the AAG & AA Commencement Ceremonies that contained the following information.
Towards the end of this month, each senior will receive a packet containing their namecards (10 Senior Tea Invitations for AAG), 10 Commencement Announcements, and eight general seating tickets for invited guests. Two reserved seating tickets will be included with the Commencement Announcement. Families that require handicap seating and/or parking should contact Linda Meyer at meyerl@albanyacademies.org. |
A professional photographer will be covering both ceremonies, including each graduate as he/she receives their diploma and candid shots at the reception. Families interested in an individual family portrait should contact Ms. Meyer. All photos, including a formal class picture, will be available for purchase online at Snapfish.com. Families will receive an email notification and link to the website when the albums are available.
The ceremony will be filmed by a videographer as well. Families should complete the DVD order form that was included in the email as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Meyer.
A celebration of cultural diversity
Pictured (left to right) is Dan Anyaegbunam (Form VI) speaking at the International Student Assembly in Caird Chapel on the AA campus; an image of wildlife in Nigeria; and Kevin Kim (Form VI) & Mark Im (Form VI) presenting at the assembly.
The fourth in a series of International Student Assemblies was held on April 1 in Caird Chapel to introduce our Upper School students to the countries of Nigeria and South Korea.
Dan Anyaegbunam (Form VI) discussed his family's background and what it was like for them living in Nigeria -- the most populated country in Africa and eighth highest in the world. Meanwhile, Kevin Kim (Form VI) and Mark Im (Form VI) discussed many of the factors that make South Korea such a unique country including its culture, cuisine and political affiliations.
Special thanks to World Languages Department Chair Donna Keegan for organizing this event.
Update on Spirit Wear
The Albany Academies Parents Association recently met with Academy students to get their opinion for a spring line of some Spirit Wear items. Next week, we will be providing order forms for t-shirts for girls and boys, a zip-up jacket as well as hats.
The Spirit Wear sale this past fall and winter was a great success, and we hope to see your school spirit displayed on the fields!
Arts celebration welcomes famous choreographer
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Genesis Dance Company Artistic Director Karen Lynell Arceneaux and her team of dancers worked with eager Academy students on Tuesday as part of the annual Kermani Arts Celebration at our school.
Ms. Arceneaux and her team led six interactive workshops throughout the day as well as an all school performance that left our students breathless!
Ms. Arceneaux has choreographed numerous routines for The Ailey School's Student Performance Group, Student Showcase Group, The Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program in Dance, Ailey's Professional Performing Arts School program and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. |
The Kermani family established the Kermani Fund for the Arts in 1984 to create an annual program for all Academy students so they could experience the arts through enhanced programming and visiting artists.
Pictured are Genesis Dance Company dancers performing for Academy students in the AA Gym.
Book Fair fosters love of reading!
Pictured (left to right) is a Lower School girl checking out the selection during the Scholastic Book Fair; parent volunteer Elizabeth Rossi P'10, '12 working at the cashier table with students; and AAG Kindergarten teacher Maryanne Harper looking at books with some of her students.
Academy girls and boys have had a great time this week perusing and purchasing books at the Scholastic Book Fair in the AAG Activities Room. The book fair will continue until 4:30 p.m. today.
The book fair contained a variety of exciting tales for children that we hope will foster a lifelong love of reading among our students.
Special thanks to faculty member Janet Harris for her work in organizing the event and to the many parent volunteers who took time to work at the book fair throughout the week.
Help us give back
All Academy parents are invited to participate in the Gates House "Practice for Peace" initiative -- a partnership of The Albany Academy & the New York Air National Guard 109th Airlift Wing -- by donating new or slightly used soccer balls to our school until Friday, April 16.
The Air National Guard will transport 100 deflated soccer balls in the personal kits of the troops to be inflated and distributed to Afghani children during the ANG deployment this summer in Afghanistan. This is a good will gesture that Gates House hopes will help with the overall U.S. mission in Afghanistan.
All soccer balls can be dropped off in Caird Chapel on the AA campus.
Lacrosse star receives honor
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Congratulations go out to Caroline Gersuk '10 of the AAG Varsity Lacrosse Team for being selected as a Dunkin' Donuts High School Sports Player of the Week for her outstanding lacrosse play.
Andrew Catalon from WNYT NewsChannel 13 interviewed Caroline and her coach, Greg Giombetti '89 (both pictured at left), before the start of Tuesday's game at Columbia High School.
The story will air on Tuesday, April 20 at around 6:20 p.m. Make sure to watch it! |
CTL Director to present at NYSAIS conference
Director of The Center for Teaching & Learning Alex Brosowsky will be presenting at the New York State Association of Independent Schools Diversity Conference today at the Lycée Francais de New York.
His presentation titled "Learning Together: Using Critical Pedagogy to Differentiate Instruction in Culturally and Ethnically Diverse Classrooms" will be a discussion focused on curricular methods that support the learning of students from a variety of cultures. Best of luck, Alex!
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
Archivist to address Academy students
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Archivist John McClintock '57 will address our Upper School boys on Thursday, April 15 at 2:55 p.m. in Caird Chapel on the AA campus.
He will be discussing the lives of the men for which the four AA houses are named: Beck, Henry, Olcott & Gates.
Pictured is Merrill Gates, AA Principal from 1870-1882.
All parents are welcome to attend. |
Art Exhibit -- April 16
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The 11th Annual High School Regional Art Exhibit will take place on Friday, April 16 at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady. The exhibit -- which will be held in the Fenimore Asset Gallery and Albany International Room -- will showcase student artwork from 16 Capital Region high schools.
This spectacular event is the only juried show for high school artists in the region; it will showcase 162 pieces of original art from 150 students. The awards ceremony will feature six awards in addition to a $1,500 student scholarship awarded by SEFCU as the People's Choice Award. |
Congratulations to the following Academy students who will be representing our school at the exhibit: Chloe Mahoney '10, Emily Bruce '10, Daniella Zeman '10, Polly Grey '11, Janis Kim '11, Vittoria Filanova '11 & Elias Quinn (Form VI).
Special thanks to faculty members Jane Chasin & Diana Westbrook for their work with the students.
Senior Boys vs. Faculty Basketball Game -- April 15
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Our AA seniors have already begun warming up in preparation for an outstanding contest with faculty members at the annual Senior Boys vs. Faculty Basketball Game on Thursday, April 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the AA Gym.
Come out in support of our students and faculty as they take part in what will undoubtedly be an exciting contest. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, concession stand and bake sale!
Tickets are just $3 per person; Lower School students (10 years old and under) are free. Hope to see you there! |
Support The Museum Guards!
Two of our own Academy students -- John Cattini (Form III) & Anthony Parente (Form III) of The Museum Guards -- will be participating in SPAC's first-ever "Battle of the Bands."
This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and have the opportunity to perform on a world-class stage such as SPAC. Ten finalists will be selected for the competition, with one band getting an automatic bid via online voting. Public online voting is only open for two days -- Saturday, April 17 & Sunday, April 18 -- via the SPAC website. On Wednesday, April 21, the 10 finalists will be announced (nine selected by their committee and one by public voting).
The competition will be held on Friday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at SPAC; the winner will be determined by a combination of audience response and judge's decision. We hope that you will consider supporting the boys!
WY trip informational session -- April 19
The Jackson, WY trip scheduled for June 21-29 is sure to be a trip that students will never forget! We will be hosting an informational session about the trip on Monday, April 19 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in Caird Chapel for all interested parents and students.
The session will be hosted by former Arts Chair Dana DeYoung & AAG Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach Michael Zabinski '03, who will act as chaperones on the trip. During the trip, students will be able to take part in a variety of unique activities, including horseback riding into the Washakie Wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest in the Wind River Range, guided hikes, fishing, and a visit to Yellowstone National Park.
For more information, contact Mr. Zabinski at zabinskim@albanyacademies.org.
AAG & AA Cum Laude Induction Ceremonies -- April 20 & 22
Please join us for the AAG & AA Cum Laude Induction Ceremonies on Tuesday, April 20 at 2 p.m. in the AAG Auditorium and Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in Caird Chapel, respectively.
All senior families are welcome to attend the AAG ceremony. An evite has been sent out about the event. The AA ceremony will include a dinner for only the new inductees. An evite was sent to those families asking for an RSVP and the names of family members who will be attending.
Congratulations to our AA Cum Laude Society inductees: David Barra, Vincent Birch, Jake Centofranchi, Josh Hoh, Chris Maggiore, Zach Nelson, Ankur Patel, Lukas Schmied, Buddy White, Greg Wilk and Alex Zacharczenko.
The AAG Cum Laude Society inductees will be announced at the AAG Cum Laude Induction Ceremony. In addition, all members of the AAG senior class will be recognized at the event.
Cum Laude is an academic honor society that annually recognizes the accomplishments of a small number of seniors who have attended the Academies for at least three years.
The Hill Brothers to perform on April 21
The well-known performing group "The Hill Brothers" will be visiting the Academies on Wednesday, April 21 for a musical performance titled "The American Gumbo" in the AAG Auditorium.
The group -- using acoustic and electric instruments -- will present a concert to our Lower & Middle School students featuring music from many of the diverse cultural groups that have come together to form the present-day U.S.
The Hill Brothers' music and lyrics come from Russia, Ireland, Africa, Japan, Italy, France, Latin America, Mexico and many other countries, and the overall theme of the program will be a celebration of the multicultural diversity of the U.S.
2010 Prom -- April 24
We are getting very close to the end of the school year, and that means that the 2010 Prom is on the horizon. This year's Formal Dinner & Dance will be held on Saturday, April 24 from 6-10 p.m. at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Colonie.
Tickets are $65 per person and include the reception and a sit-down dinner. All Upper School students are invited to attend. Please contact Bradan Liberty (Form VI) at libertyb@albanyacademies.org with any questions.
Evening of the Arts -- April 28 & 30
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All parents are encouraged to attend our AA & AAG "Evening of the Arts" events on Wednesday, April 28 and Friday, April 30, respectively. Both events will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature individual and group performances.
Following the AA Art Show will be an Upper School Band & Chorus performance; following the AAG Art Show will be a Middle & Upper School Dance performance. You will be receiving a special postcard in the mail outlining the events and showcasing a preview of our students' incredible artwork. |
We also encourage all alumni/ae to attend the Lower School Art Show & Concert on Friday, May 7 beginning at 1 p.m. on both the AAG & AA campuses.
In addition, we will be holding a Middle School Band, Strings & Choral Performance on Wednesday, May 12 at 2 p.m. for Grades 5 & 6 on the AA campus and at 6:30 p.m. for Grades 7 & 8 on the AA campus. We hope that you can join us in support of the Arts at the Academies!
Albany Children's Book Festival -- May 15
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The Albany Children's Book Festival is fast approaching and we hope that you will help spread the word around the region!
There is a window display promoting the event at The Book House, 10 billboards will be going up next week around the region and ads will be appearing in the Spotlight Newspapers.
Many of our parent volunteers and local authors have also been distributing the flyers in libraries, physician offices, museums, hospitals and other places to promote what promises to be a great event for families. |
We will need many volunteers to help make the event successful. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Tammie Jones at tammielj@aol.com.
Many thanks to our sponsors of the Book Festival, including Austin & Co., Aviemore, CDPHP, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, Drs. Decker, Sbuttoni, Boghosian, DiCerbo & Lawless, M & T Bank, AAPA, The Book House, MM Hayes, SEFCU, Shalimar Restaurant and the Spotlight Newspapers.
BECOME A FACEBOOK FAN OF THE FESTIVAL!
A special website for the book festival has been created at www.albanychildrensbookfestival.com.
Summer Camp 2010 begins June 14!
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Summer Camp 2010 at the Academies is filling up quickly and we hope that your children will join us this summer. The LEAP Camp program has a wide variety of classes being offered -- from science to art to cooking -- along with sports camps, a drivers education course and SAT Prep Course. There really is something for all ages!
If you or someone you know would like a printed brochure, please contact Director of External Affairs Ann Wendth at (518) 429-2385 or wendtha@albanyacademies.org. |
SUMMER CAMP 2010 BROCHURE
SUMMER CAMP 2010 REGISTRATION FORM
REGISTER ONLINE FOR SUMMER CAMP 2010.
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
Stay up to date with our Online Calendar
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