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Friday, April 23, 2010
The Albany Academies e-newsletter
Week of April 19
Lending a helping hand...
Pictured (left to right) are faculty member Sara Howard with 3rd grade boys and Upper School students performing neighborhood clean-up; Pre-K boys getting ready to plant some trees on the AA campus; and Kindergarten girls & Upper School girls with faculty members Dr. Amy Allman and Maryanne Harper and AAG Lower School Librarian Stephanie Donnaruma.
Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy students and faculty members had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the importance of service to others and making their community a better place today as part of Spring Community Service Day.
As part of this year's program, students and faculty worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations such as Gilda's Club of the Capital Region, Habitat for Humanity, Parsons Child and Family Center, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Ronald McDonald House and The Langan School of the Center for Disability Services.
Students maintain contact with a number of the organizations throughout the year through additional volunteering and other fundraising activities.
AAG & AA announce Cum Laude inductees
Pictured (left to right) are the AAG Cum Laude inductees with AAG Associate Head of School Wendy Muhlfelder '67, Head of School Dr. Douglas North & Head Librarian Audrey Koester; AAPA President Deb Nelson with her husband, Dave, and sons, Zach (Form VI) & Josh (Form III), Dr. North & AA Director of College Counseling Jak Bestle; and the AA Cum Laude inductees.
An academic tradition continued this week as a small number of AAG & AA seniors were inducted into the Cum Laude Society at ceremonies held on Tuesday in the AAG Auditorium and Thursday in Caird Chapel.
The following AAG seniors were inducted into the Cum Laude Society: Darcy Benson, Emily Bruce, Katherine Cattini, Madison Daly, Isabelle Heukensfeldt Jansen, Jin Yeon Kim, Roma Luthra and Samantha Miorin
Head Librarian Audrey Koester honored all AAG seniors by reading a paragraph that she wrote, with the input of faculty members, about each student.
The following AA seniors were inducted into the Cum Laude Society: David Barra, Vincent Birch, Jake Centofranchi, Josh Hoh, Chris Maggiore, Zach Nelson, Ankur Patel, Lukas Schmied, Buddy White, Greg Wilk and Alex Zacharczenko
Cum Laude is an academic honor society that annually recognizes the accomplishments of seniors who have attended the Academies for at least three years.
Academy students excel at Joseph Henry Science Fair
Six Academy students were recognized for their scientific achievements at the Joseph Henry Science Fair on April 16 at The College of Saint Rose. Congratulations to the following students:
Grades 7 & 8 Team Prize -- Keun Young Ma '15, Meha Sadana '14 & Grace Smith '14
Grades 7 & 8 Individual Entry -- Arka Rao (Form II, 1st place for the second year in a row); Annika Tomson '14 (2nd place); and Sohil Patel (Form II, third place)
Students from 13 schools participated in the prestigious event. Our students were selected from the Middle School Science Symposium. Special thanks to faculty members Jessica Lawton & Patricia Pulver for their work with the students.
Academy students recognized for Chinese studies
Madison Daly '10 was selected to receive the 2010 TEMA BELLINSON Award for being the top Chinese language and culture student in the Capital Region. Madison plans to continue her Chinese studies at Colgate University in the fall. She will be honored at a banquet on Tuesday, April 27 at the Dragon Buffet in Albany.
In other Chinese news, Matthew Filanova -- who spent two weeks in China during Spring Break -- will be returning to China for his May Project. He will first fly into Shanghai to attend the 2010 World Expo, and will then head to Xi'an to teach English to children as a volunteer for his May Project.
Congratulations to Madison and best of luck to Matthew as he embarks on this exciting adventure!
Academy students selected as top scholars
Isabelle Heukensfeldt Jansen '10 and Vincent Birch (Form VI) were both featured in a special Times Union supplement on Thursday that profiled the 2010 Scholars' Recognition Program recipients.
The program honors outstanding scholastic achievement by members of the graduating classes of the public, private, parochial and BOCES secondary schools in the Capital Region. Both Isabelle and Vincent were asked to select a faculty member that has made a difference in their lives, and they both selected Dr. Jamie Howard.
Congratulations to Isabelle, Vincent & Dr. Howard for this outstanding achievement.
Spread the word... AAG 6th grade newspaper is out!
Pictured (left to right) are 6th grade girls Allayla Silipigno, Rachel Baker, Lauren Henderson, Ciara Silipigno & Emma Hayes; McKenna Ingerson, Megan Bargstedt, Michaela Hoffman & Elena Smalline; and Samantha Silverman, Helen DiStefano & Niharika Kura.
Congratulations go out to our 6th grade girls and faculty member Sandra Nelson for their many long hours spent creating the always highly anticipated 6th grade girls newspaper!
The girls debuted this year's publication -- titled The Writers of 2016 -- at a special launch party with all AAG Middle School students on Tuesday in the AAG Courtyard.
The publication includes a variety of articles about topics such as the Olympics, homework, learning another language, uniforms and health & nutrition. Each girl was assigned a task and worked in groups with other students, interviewing other students as well as parents and faculty members for the articles. The girls had complete control of the newspaper, scheduling and conducting their own interviews, editing their work and creating the layout for the publication.
A contest was held to determine which girl had the opportunity to create the cover of the newspaper; congratulations to Sophie Heukensfeldt Jansen for being selected to create the original cover.
Special thanks to Ms. Nelson, AAG Preschool through Grade 8 Director Susan Rimkunas, Head Librarian Audrey Koester, AAG IT Specialist Bill Diggins, AA IT Specialist Mike Sammartano & Andrea Faragon for their work with this project.
Winner declared in MS Declamation competition
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Xavier Salvador (Form II, pictured far right) was crowned the Middle School Declamation winner this week after surviving tough competition from his peers.
The annual event involves AA students memorizing either a monologue, speech or poem, and then reciting it in front of their English class.
After rounds of presenting in front of judges, one boy from each class was selected to present their declamation in front of the entire Middle School.
Congratulations to Xavier and our other class finalists -- (pictured left to right) Ankit Baghel (Form I), Douglas Connolly '16 & Michael Haelen '17 -- as well as all our Middle School boys for their performances! |
Strong support for the Academies!
More than 300 parents, alumni/ae, faculty and friends of The Albany Academies gathered together on April 17 at the Franklin Plaza in Troy for the 2010 Spring Gathering.
The theme of this year's event was "Creating Opportunities, Changing Lives," and all proceeds go towards the scholarship and financial aid programs at the Academies – helping to make a lasting difference in the lives of young men and women.
Special thanks to our Honorary Co-Chairs Head of School Dr. Douglas North & his wife, Dr. Ellen Cole, and the Planning Committee along with the many organizations and individuals for their dedicated work and generosity with this event.
Parents receive LS 'sneak peek'
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Our Lower School program takes place in an engaging single-gender environment that allows boys and girls to each develop in their own specific ways.
Parents had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of our AAG Lower School program last week and sit in on classes such as Science, Music, Art, Dance and more!
Pictured are Lower School parents with the 2nd grade girls during Music class.
Many thanks to the parents of our Lower School girls that took the time to stop in last week! |
A firsthand look at NYS government
Our 4th grade boys received a special tour of the Executive Mansion on April 15 to coincide with their current lesson about state government and its three branches.
Visiting the home of the Governor gave them a firsthand look at this important aspect of New York State, and the boys had an exciting time touring the beautiful facility.
National Kindergarten Day
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Our Kindergarten girls paraded through the school on Wednesday in celebration of National Kindergarten Day.
The girls marched through the halls with self-made instruments and signs, visiting different classrooms and singing to them. Everyone was in high spirits acknowledging the girls!
The day is celebrated in honor of Friedrich Froebel, who was born on April 21, 1782 and started the first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. |
Top yo-yoers converge for regional event
Four Academy students -- Arian Baghaei-Rad '16, Andrew Maider '16, Noah Martin '18 and Alexander McDaniel '16 -- will be participating in the Northeast Regional Yo-Yo Contest in Northampton, MA on April 24.
Andrew will be competing in the Sports 1A Division and Noah in the Intermediate Division. The boys will face competition from top yo-yoers throughout New England. Best of luck in the competition!
US students take part in interdisciplinary project
Pictured (left to right) are paintings by Alexis Russell '11; Alexis Lohmiller '11; and Christine Barry '11.
Faculty members Elizabeth Koonz & Jane Chasin have been working on an interdisciplinary project about American artist Edward Hopper with their students.
Ms. Chasin's Advanced Art students selected a small portion of one of Mr. Hopper's paintings. They used the technique of “under-painting” with acrylic paint to carefully mix his color scheme throughout their compositions.
Ms. Koonz's English students have been reading about Mr. Hopper and analyzing one of his paintings. They are then going to write an interpretation to go along with the painting. The plan is to have the written component accompany the art work.
MS students proudly represent the Academies
Art students from across New York State came together for the 2010 Olympics of the Visual Arts at the Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga Springs on April 15.
Five Academy students -- Michael Benson (Form I), Keenan Boscoe (Form I), Kammeron Filanova (Form I), Tycho Niessen (Form I) & Gordon O'Brien (Form I) -- represented our school at the event with an architecture project titled "The Par-Three-Non" that involved the students constructing their own miniature golf course hole. The students did a great deal of research on architecture, construction and various miniature golf courses.
Great job to our students and faculty member Diana Westbrook for their participation in the event!
A rockin' good time
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Our Lower & Middle School students received a special treat on Wednesday as well-known performing group "The Hill Brothers" (pictured at left) rocked the house in the AAG Auditorium.
The group presented a concert to our students using acoustic and electric instruments that featured music from many of the diverse cultural groups that have come together to form the present-day U.S.
Special thanks to the Albany Academies Parents Association for funding the event. |
3rd grade girls support great cause!
Pictured (left to right) are the 3rd grade girls with faculty member Sandi Hanifin; Emily Argoff, Kaili Ebert & Isabelle Woods signing their soccer balls; and the girls getting ready to donate their soccer balls.
Many thanks to our 3rd grade girls & faculty member Sandi Hanifin for donating 12 new signed soccer balls to the Gates House "Practice for Peace" initiative -- a partnership of The Albany Academy & the New York Air National Guard 109th Airlift Wing.
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.
We will have a final total for the collection in next week's electronic newsletter.
Rensselaer Chamber highlights female leaders
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Director of External Affairs Ann Wendth participated on a panel at the Rensselaer Regional Chamber of Commerce's monthly breakfast forum on Thursday titled "Women Leaders: Styles, Strategies & Stories."
Professional women from the Capital Region representing diverse industries -- and diverse generations -- discussed their own unique strategies and ways that they have achieved leadership positions.
Pictured (left to right) are Rensselaer Chamber President Linda Hillman; Capital Communications Federal Credit Union President & CEO Paula Stopera; Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna Attorney Tammy Cumo; M & T Bank Vice President Tracey Wardwell; Ms. Wendth; and T.L. Metzger & Associates President Tracy Metzger. |
Alumnus discusses Stanford connection
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Dr. James Fitzgerald '57 visited the Academies on April 16 as part of the Class of '57 Lecture Series to discuss the connection between The Albany Academies & Stanford University. Dr. Fitzgerald has done extensive research in the U.S. and Italy about the life of Jane Lathrop Stanford (class year, 1847) -- co-founder of Stanford University.
Stanford, which was originally titled Leland Stanford Jr. University, was named after Ms. Stanford's deceased son. Fitzgerald told our Upper School students that the initial reason for Ms. Stanford constructing the college was to cope with the abrupt death of her son.
She believed that the young people of California would be her children and wanted to take care of them. Ms. Stanford held true to this statement by offering free tuition and accepting women into the university, which was unheard of at the time. |
Dr. Fitzgerald is retired from a surgical ophthalmology practice in Troy, NY and teaches surgical residents at the University of Arizona. He is also one of the founders of the Class of '57 Lecture Series. He has also authored an article about Ms. Stanford that will appear in the Summer 2010 issue of A2 magazine.
Pictured (left to right) are Dr. Fitzgerald, Head of School Dr. Douglas North, Archivist John McClintock '57 & Jim Beardsley '57.
Many thanks to Dr. Fitzgerald for taking the time to present his research to our students!
All about the houses...
Archivist John McClintock '57 led a fascinating presentation on April 15 in Caird Chapel about the lives of the men for which the four AA houses are named: Beck, Henry, Olcott & Gates.
Dr. T. Romeyn Beck has long been recognized for his outstanding leadership of The Albany Academy. He created and perfected the Science & Math Departments at the school. Joseph Henry, a brilliant scholar, opened the idea of experimentation as part of the higher education curriculum at the Academy.
Thomas Olcott was a generous contributor to the Academy; as the second most powerful banker in the United States, he understood that wealth was a means by which to improve the community -- especially the learning community. Merrill Gates served as Headmaster of the Academy from 1870-1882. During that time, he shifted the emphasis at the Academy to college preparatory and added the primary department, promoted physical education and introduced written exams.
All four men contributed an outstanding level of contribution to not only the Academy but the surrounding community-at-large. Thank you to Mr. McClintock for taking the time to inform our students about this important history.
2010-2011 AAPA volunteer opportunities available
Would you like to serve as an Albany Academies Parents Association board member or volunteer for the 2010-2011 school year?
Opportunities are currently available for all parents or guardians of Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy students to participate in the many programs and events that enrich our children's school experience.
We welcome and encourage your involvement.
AAPA VOLUNTEER NOMINATION FORM
Mark your calendars for upcoming events
We encourage you to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
AA Evening of the Arts -- April 28
AAG Evening of the Arts -- April 30
Albany Children's Book Festival -- May 15
Summer Camp -- many of the camps begin on June 14
Visit www.albanyacademies.org for more information about each of these events.
Legacy of Dreams -- June 19
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Please join us for the 2010 Legacy of Dreams on Saturday, June 19 at the Fort Orange Club in Albany. All proceeds from this event benefit the athletic programs at Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy.
Would you like to become part of the 2010 Legacy of Dreams Honorary Committee? |
The following opportunities are available:
Varsity Club level -- $250; Junior Varsity Club level -- $150; and Modified Club level -- $75
The deadline to join the committee is Wednesday, May 5.
LEGACY OF DREAMS HONORARY COMMITTEE REGISTRATION FORM
Would your company like to serve as a corporate sponsor for the event?
The following options are available:
Board of Champions -- $5,000; Academies Club -- $2,500; and Legacy Club -- $1,000
The deadline to serve as a corporate sponsor is Monday, May 12.
LEGACY OF DREAMS CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FORM
Please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (518) 429-2432 or collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org with any questions.
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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