Alumni and Friends of Principia
Principia has launched an exciting new educational program called Principia Lifelong Learning (PLL). PLL will offer incredible trips all over the world, wonderful online courses, and inspiring on-campus opportunities. Along with academic excellence, PLL provides a learning environment dedicated to spiritual and character development. Programs are open to all adult Christian Scientists and all Principia alumni, as well as their spouses.
PLL LEARNING ADVENTURES
The first three PLL learning adventures (i.e. trips) explore California, the Northeast, and the Virgin Islands. Join a handful of other eager learners sailing the Caribbean, working shoulder to shoulder with one of the foremost researchers in extraterrestrial life, or canoeing in the Adirondacks. Read full trip descriptions and register.
Below are highlights of the first three PLL trips:
A Virgin Islands Sailing Adventure
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands
Instructor: Nikki Nicolet
Dates: May 27–June 2, 2012
Cost: $2,990 per person
Number of Participants: 8
Trip Overview: Spend a week on board the yacht Soterion getting hands-on experience sailing and learning about the marine environment.
Search for Life in the Universe
Location: California
Instructor: Dr. Laurance Doyle
Dates: July 3–9, 2012
Cost: $1,575 (shared room); $2,175 (single room)
Number of Participants: 14
Trip Overview: Learn how to look for life in the universe, including finding Earthlike planets, and help scientists record Monterey Bay marine mammals whose communications may someday be used to decipher an extraterrestrial intelligent signal.
Philosophers’ Camp
Location: Adirondacks
Instructors: Drs. Scott Schneberger and Mike Rechlin
Dates: September 24–27, 2012
Cost: $975 per person
Number of Participants: 10
Trip Overview: Canoe and camp in New York’s Adirondack Park just as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louis Agassiz, and their group of 10 did when they paddled deep into the wilderness there to commune with nature and contemplate the burning issues of their day.
PLL ONLINE COURSES
Find the best of both worlds—virtual and traditional instruction—in each PLL online course. In weekly live sessions, instructor and students are together online at the same time, just as in a regular classroom, but you can “attend” from anywhere in the world, and course materials are available 24/7.
A new set of online courses will be offered each month. The first session, featuring the following courses, begins the week of March 26:
Mary Baker Eddy and the Founding of The Christian Science Monitor
Date: March 26–April 16; live class sessions on Monday evenings
Instructor: Paul Van Slambrouck
Professor, Principia College Mass Communication Department
Former Editor, The Christian Science Monitor
Course Overview: Find out why Mary Baker Eddy went to the trouble to start a newspaper after she had already accomplished so much.
The Quest for Another Earth: Finding New Planets
Date: March 27–April 17; live class sessions on Monday evenings
Instructor: Dr. Laurance Doyle
Principia College Annenberg Scholar
Principal Investigator, SETI Institute
NASA Kepler Mission Team Member
Course Overview: After learning how scientists detect planets millions of light years away, you’ll get to try searching for a planet, too.
The Old Testament—An Overview
Date: March 29–April 20; live class sessions on Monday evenings
Instructor: Mike Hamilton
Chair, Principia College Religion Department
Course Overview: Get more from your personal study of the Bible by learning about the history and theology of the foundational texts in the Hebrew Scriptures (aka Old Testament).
Read full course descriptions. The fee is $180 per course.
Registration begins February 15. Class size is limited, so register early!
Every fall, the best student computer programmers in the world pit their skills against the clock and each other to solve a series of challenging problems in five short hours as part of the Association for Computing Machinery’s annual contest. Principia’s Programming Panthers have competed most years since 1990 and more often than not placed in the top third of all regional entrants. Twice the College has placed in the top tenth—always against vastly larger and more technically oriented competitor institutions.
On November 5, two Principia teams traveled to St. Louis’s Webster University to compete in this arena of perfect problem solving under fierce time pressure. Our Blue Team, comprised of seniors Vladimir Darmin, Emily Sander, and Ross Vincent, placed first among the eight teams at Webster University and 19th among the 141 teams in the Mid-Central Region! They ranked above much larger schools such as Northwestern, DePaul, St. Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, and many state universities including Alabama, Missouri, and Tennessee State. Our Gold Team—Casey Dutro, Julianna Hensey, and Michael Ward—competed for the first time, placing lower but gaining valuable experience that positions Principia well for next year’s contest.
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is the largest, oldest (over 50 years), and most prestigious of the computer science professional societies. Their Annual International Collegiate Programming Contest (sponsored by IBM) involves more than 30,000 of the finest computer science students from over 2,000 universities in 88 countries on six continents. (The World Finals will be held next May in Warsaw, Poland.) ACM believes their contest “fosters creativity, teamwork, and innovation in building new software programs, and enables students to test their ability to perform under pressure.”
A typical programming assignment takes hours—sometimes many hours spread over a week or more. Suppose a professor assigned eight tricky programming problems, and allowed five hours to complete all eight. And suppose further that the programs would be judged on a pass-fail basis where passing means processing an unseen collection of subtle test cases perfectly—absolutely perfectly.
This is precisely what the ACM contestants must do. Most students would run screaming from such a task, but the Programming Panthers relish the opportunity to demonstrate their algorithmic prowess. And indeed they did, yet again.
Congratulations, Programming Panthers!
Historic background: The first Principia team, Bob Schmit, Scott Dykema, Jason Dent, and Scott Davis, competed at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1990. Professor Tom Fuller served as coach, chauffeur, and one of the contest judges; he remains involved to this day as coach. This fledgling team solved two of the seven problems, enough to catapult Principia over much larger and more experienced schools into 10th place among the 91 undergraduate teams competing that year. In 1999, Principia’s two teams placed 8th and 28th—our highest regional standing ever. The College also served as a competition host site for seven years (1998–2004).
With a full schedule of classes, conferences, athletic practices, choir rehearsals, and test prep, it’s hard to imagine how Principia upper schoolers find time for much else. But they do, actively participating in on-campus clubs to explore a special interest or passion. And these interests are wide and varied—international understanding, Disney movies, snowboarding, trash . . . .
Trash? Well, specifically, the reduction and recycling of it—which is one of the key environmental issues the School’s Roots and Shoots Club is focusing on this year. In existence for several years, the club is supported by biology teacher Lynne Scott, who joined the faculty last year and is guiding students in their search for information, answers, and linkages.
On a recent Saturday morning, the club organized and hosted an electronics and appliances recycling drive in conjunction with Wits Inc. a St. Louis-based nonprofit. Judging from the many cars lined up to off-load outdated computers, pre-flat-screen-era TVs, toasters, and irons (remember those?), community members really appreciated this service. Club volunteers helped sort, pack, and load the items into a massive trailer. Where possible, Wits will repair and refurbish these items for donation to needy families and individuals. Unusable items, Scott explains, will be “de-manufactured so that individual components can be recycled,” or disposed off in a safe manner.
What drives our students to give of their time and energy to such issues?
For senior Sarah, it was a School trip to Grand Teton National Park last year. “I was overwhelmed by the beauty and really grateful to experience this protected national park,” she says. This spurred her to find ways to extend such care to her immediate, everyday environment. Sarah is keen for Principia students to “become more knowledgeable about the system which is providing us with everything we use,” in order to better understand how to use and manage resources.
“This is the only world we have, and trash is not going to magically disappear,” says her classmate, Forrest, who saw firsthand the harmful effects of uncontrolled waste disposal in less developed countries on a trip to Turkey last year. Forrest likes being part of Roots and Shoots “because it’s solution-oriented. Everyone can bring ideas to the meetings.”
Scott agrees that “everyone is supportive of ideas presented, and eagerly looking for ways to implement them. We are all learning together, through so many self-educating activities, going to community presentations, relevant movies, and festivals.”
For several students, participating in Scott’s Man and the Environment class has opened their eyes to the little and big ways that individual actions impact our natural and built surroundings. Earlier in the term, the club set up an informative display on plastics and their impact on landfills, wildlife, and human environments. The students are also seeking ways that Upper School dorm residents can reduce their use of disposable plastics.
Next on the agenda is “dumpster diving,” which promises to be an informative, if messy, team effort to go through the School’s trash and pull out whatever can be reused or “up-cycled.” For instance, used yogurt containers can be cleaned and reused as water cups at athletic events, per the suggestion of one student. Or, discarded granola bar wrappers can be up-cycled into colorful Christmas bows and decorations—something which a few of the group members have already done, in time for the holiday season!
What started out as a good idea just keeps getting better, judging from the enthusiastic involvement of ninth graders in the Upper School Freshman Experience (FE) program. But then they’re getting to build marshmallow towers, view Impressionist masterpieces, produce video clips, even conjure up some “crunch munch” snack mix, so what’s not to like?
While to the untrained eye, these activities may seem like simple fun, behind them lies a deeper and deliberate purpose—“to improve the experience of incoming ninth graders in terms of character unfoldment and academic success,” says Tim Langworthy, Upper School science teacher.
Langworthy is part of an initially informal group of seven Upper School teachers and staff that has evolved into a structured “professional learning community” that regularly meets to communicate about and collaborate on freshmen’s needs and academic performance. Most high schools around the country confront poor performance in ninth grade, as students grapple with increased freedom, responsibility, and social pressures. In a few districts, educators are trying to reduce freshman failure by creating a “school within a school”—separate buildings, programs, staff, even separate entrances just for ninth grade.
Boosting freshman success through interaction
But here at Principia, we’re finding that more deliberate integration and collaboration—among the students themselves and among the teachers who mentor them—are key to a successful transition to high school and relieve the need to isolate the freshman class. The core of Upper School’s FE program revolves around three yearlong classes in language, science, and history, which all freshmen are required to take. Last year, Langworthy, English teacher Jodi Fielding, and history teacher Rich Eisenauer delivered a handful of cross-curricular sessions that got the students thinking more deeply about the connections among the various disciplines. Based on that success, they have developed an ambitious, team-taught program for this year that pushes the students to improve their critical thinking and cooperation skills as they delve into academics.
The capstone of this year’s FE is a springtime class trip to Santa Fe, NM, that will draw together a year’s worth of multidisciplinary study. For art and literature, students are reading the works of New Mexico-born Rudolfo Anaya; maintaining illustrated journals; and viewing exhibits such as the recent Monet show at the St. Louis Art Museum, to prepare them for viewing the works of American artist Georgia O’Keeffe in Santa Fe. For history, they’re studying the culture of the Pueblo Indians, including communicating with (and eventually visiting) the Taos Day School, one of the oldest schools serving Native American students. They’re also exploring the science and ethics of nuclear physics, culminating in a visit to Los Alamos, NM, home of the laboratory where scientists engineered the first atomic bombs during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project.
Paying attention to the details
Fielding and her colleagues emphasize the “3 Vs” in their work with students—voice (communication skills), vision (seeing the big picture and the little one), and value (acknowledging the merit in differing points of view and peer contributions). “We want them to slow down and notice the details,” Fielding says. “This impacts their ability to communicate.”
The 3 Vs were, indeed, put to the test in Round Two of the Marshmallow Challenge, based on a team-building exercise used in high-level corporate development. In September, when ninth graders did this exercise, only five out of 13 teams were able to build a standing structure out of 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, one yard each of string and tape, and a single marshmallow. By late November, 10 of the 13 teams succeeded, and the tallest standing structure was 10 cms higher than the tallest one in the previous round.
Through such unity building and additional outreach activities, students are learning how to better communicate, work in teams, and look beyond themselves. So it’s not surprising that Freshman Experience has become an integral part of the Upper School curriculum.
“The plan is to continue with the program for the foreseeable future,” says Academic Dean Merrill Boudreaux, citing several benefits. “I believe that freshmen students are acclimating to Upper School more easily through this program. They get more nurturing support and closer attention to their work. We continue to see fewer academic alerts.
And, in case you’re wondering about the videos and munchies we mentioned earlier, these are just two of the “gifts” of outreach the ninth graders sent to students at the Taos Day School for Christmas. They also sent a collection of toys.
Marking a century of higher education at Principia, 2012 is an ideal year to celebrate and highlight excellence across campus—in academics, athletics, and the arts—among our students and faculty, past and present.
This month we focus on study and training in art and art history, which have always been important aspects of the College curriculum. Over the years, Principia’s 68 emeriti faculty have included eight professors of fine art, studio art, or art history. This year alone, more than 40 students are majoring in art; many more are enrolled in various art and art history courses including Visual Fundamentals, Color Studies, Graphic Design, Drawing, Oil Painting, Three Dimensional Design, Printmaking, Introduction to Western Art, Ancient Art, Art of the Italian Renaissance, 19th Century European Art, and Advanced Studies in Early-to-Mid-20th Century Art.
See photos that capture some of the creativity these classes inspire in this month’s In Pictures.
The faculty team inspiring today’s art and art history students—David Coughtry, Daniel Kistler, Duncan Martin, and Danne Pike Rhaesa in studio art, Margaret D’Evelyn and Gregory Sandford in art history, and visiting studio art faculty member Kristin Serafini—is a dynamic group of dedicated teachers, working artists, scholars, writers, and more.
Chair Duncan Martin’s work has been exhibited at galleries, museums, and venues across the country, including a show opening February 4 at Davis Dominguez Gallery in Tucson. In his current painting project, 58 in 58, Martin plans to paint all 58 national parks in 58 months. Follow his paintings and travels at www.duncanmartin.squarespace.com.
David Coughtry, who currently teaches life drawing and oil painting, has had numerous solo shows and his works have been included in major traveling exhibitions. In 1999–2000, Coughtry was the recipient of a Florida Individual Fellowship Grant for painting.
Daniel Kistler joined the faculty in 1995 with an extensive background in commercial illustration and graphic design. His former clients include industry giants like Mercedes Benz, McDonald’s, Detroit Edison, and the “Big Three” U.S. automakers.
Professors Coughtry and Kistler recently returned from leading the fall 2011 Turkey and Greece Art Abroad. Visit the abroad website to meet the student-travelers, see photos, and read the trip blog. And don’t forget to check out this month’s Principia Wire video to learn more about this exciting study abroad adventure.
Danne Pike Rhaesa has a varied background that includes 16 years as an art instructor, work with Hallmark Cards, Inc., and owning a successful design/build company specializing in stone design. In October, one of Rhaesa’s larger works using salvaged forms was installed on the Edwardsville campus of Southern Illinois University as part of a public sculpture walk.
Teaching this year’s art history courses, Margaret D’Evelyn and Gregory Sandford provide students with access to original works of art and architecture, and guidance in independent research and writing.
D’Evelyn has studied art history on both coasts and as a visiting scholar for four years in Cambridge, England. This summer a scholarly book, to which she has devoted herself for more than twenty years, will be published—Venice and Vitruvius: Reading Venice with Daniele Barbaro and Andrea Palladio—a study of the architectural and intellectual culture that caused Venice to become the most beautiful of Renaissance cities.
This fall, history professor Gregory Sandford also taught an art history course where his past diplomatic career abroad with the Foreign Service, as well as his research and academic writing experience helped students understand even better how art, history, government, and religion are interrelated.
Award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books about the environment, Kristin Serafini joined the art faculty this year as a visiting professor while simultaneously beginning work on her MFA at the Vermont College of Art. Serafini is also the illustrator of five children’s books for The Christian Science Publishing Society.
Together, these seven professional educators are helping students hone their artistic skills, understand the art of yesterday and today, and explore the many facets and manifestations of creativity. From analyzing the scientific drawings of Leonardo da Vinci in a First Year Experience class to recreating textures, patterns, and graffiti observed on travels through Greece, Principia’s art students are always, as one student puts it, “developing new approaches to seeing things.”
Last month, Principia Clubs throughout the country hosted more than 50 Christmas Sing events that united more than 3,000 Principia alums, friends, and current students. Commemorating the season, celebrating in fellowship, and sharing a common love of Principia is at the heart of these traditional Principia gatherings.
That was certainly the case at the Sing hosted by the Principia Club of Cincinnati. Club president and Principia alumni board member Colin Vogt (C’87) was happy to host the Sing at his home. “About 60 people attended from six different area churches,” he noted. “The environment was rich in friendship as many joyous Principians and Prin supporters filled our home with carols.”
From the inspiring pianists who performed from two of the local churches to area Sunday School students who sang solos to recent College grad Jasmine Linck (C’09) who read a Christmas letter from Principia Chief Executive Dr. Jonathan Palmer, it was a special time for all. But the real highlight was Maurine “Mauri” Hess. A 1943 Principia College graduate, Mauri was the “Prin-cess” of the party (see photo above). Adorned with glittery crown and princess pin, she graced the group with her presence and thoroughly enjoyed meeting other Principians from the area.
If you attended a Christmas Sing and would like to share any special highlights, please e-mail the Alumni & Field Relations Office at field@principia.edu.
The rest of the campus may have been quiet and dark over Christmas break, but the dance studios were humming with energy and creativity. From December 15–21, 10 dancers from the College, two from the Upper School, and five from Webster University in St. Louis were treated to a rare opportunity—the chance to study under three world-class dancers and choreographers.
Professional dancer and choreographer John Gardner (of American Ballet Theatre and Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project), ABT prima ballerina and Tudor Trust Répétiteur Amanda McKerrow, and choreographer Margaret Eginton, former principal dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, traveled to the College to lead this special, intensive workshop. Mornings were devoted to technique classes with McKerrow and Gardner; afternoons were dedicated to the creation of two exciting, original pieces choreographed by Gardner and Eginton. An informal showing on the final day provided dancers, choreographers, and audience members the opportunity to revel in all that had been accomplished in this short but amazingly productive week of dance. Both pieces will be performed this spring as highlights of the College Dance Production.
“This was so amazing!” said Hilary Harper-Wilcoxen, chair of the Theatre and Dance Department. “To have dancers and choreographers of this caliber create two pieces around Principia’s dancers, and offer them as world-premiere performances this spring, is extraordinary!”
The professional dancers found the experience beneficial as well. Gardner explained what he enjoys most about working with Principia dancers: “They’re so hungry to learn. They’re present and focused, ask questions, and work hard. I can really be creative here.”
It was clear the students were enjoying the creative interplay—and working hard. During a short break one dancer shared, “It’s been really tough and I’ve had to push myself—much of this is new to me—I’ve learned so much!” But some of the work was play, too. From imagining a scarf to be a matador’s cape to whirling to Middle Eastern drumming, there was no shortage of joyful spontaneity.
Meg Eginton, whose modern dance piece features two young sisters playing at the seaside, summed up the experience frankly during rehearsal. “I love coming to Principia,” she said. “It’s a highlight of my year. It’s like coming to a well of good water.” Then, turning back to the dancers and the work at hand, she said, “Okay everyone, let’s take it from the Frankenstein walk!”
If you’re in the area, you won’t want to miss these performances at Dance Production 2012, April 12–14, in Cox Auditorium.
Traveling with PACE is like traveling with your family, your best friend, your college buddies, or even your former roommate. It’s all of those things, and more! And it all took place in November on the 2011 Rhine River Cruise as 130 of us took over a cruise ship to sail down the river for a week. From twenty-somethings to eighty-somethings, we ate, learned, laughed, and explored the river stops and sights from the Netherlands to Switzerland. Captain Hank (our experienced river captain) said we were the best bunch he had ever sailed with!
Cruising like this is never boring and keeps you moving from early morning breakfast to the late night snacks. Of course, if you want to sleep in, bicycle the local town at your leisure, or find shopping side trips, the cruise director can make that happen. But few of us opted to sleep in. Most were up early, ready to explore and hike the port stops not only during the day but even after dinner, like in the romantic, lighted town of Koblenz, Germany. At Marksburg, we hiked up a hill to explore a twelfth-century castle that had never been destroyed. We saw the defenses, armor, and indoor plumbing of the Middle Ages!
Other favorite stops included the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, to see the movable type and Bible that started the Protestant Reformation, and Strasbourg, where a branch of the European Parliament sits alongside a picturesque town that begs one to deposit some tourist euros. Visiting cathedrals in Germany at Köln (known in French as Cologne) and Worms offered outstanding reminders of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, but equally thrilling were stops at very old synagogues in Germany. Our visit to one small, impressive, still-functioning congregation was a particular treat on the anniversary of Krystal Nacht, the fateful night when Nazi Germany struck Jewish congregations across the Rhineland.
We were constantly learning, in part through wonderful on-board lectures by Principia faculty in art, literature, religious history, and contemporary European politics. Each day was enriched by listening to lectures and then exploring what we had heard, or cruising through the breathtaking Rhine Gorge while hearing about the myths and legends of the Lorelei and Niebelungs.
There’s something for everyone in these trips, whether it’s the on-board fellowship with other Christian Scientists, gathering together for inspiring church services, or making new friends among the varied participants—from retired Marine Corps officers to dynamic women entrepreneurs to European citizens who told of living in Nazi-occupied Netherlands and France during the war. I came home with incredible memories of the scenes before me for a week, but even more so with a love for the family I traveled with.
See a slideshow and testimonials from the cruise.
Senior Speeches between January 9–17
Join our seniors in celebrating their successes, triumphs, and insights as they share their reflections on life. Six sessions will be held in Ridgway Auditorium and are open to the community. Three are during the day: Jan. 10 (11:25 a.m.), Jan. 12 (12:40 p.m.), and Jan. 17 (11:25 a.m.). The other three begin at 6:30 p.m. on Jan 9, 13, and 16. All sessions last roughly an hour.
Keep your eye on the (basket)ball
The varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams bear close watching as they take their game to new heights against area schools. Visit the Principia School Athletics page for regular progress updates and schedules. And cheer on the Panthers on Facebook. The girls’ swimming team and the boys’ wrestling team are also set to put on a good show!
Brush Up on Those Little-known Facts for the Annual PPA Trivia Night!
An enjoyable night of competition and conversation, Trivia Night is a Principia Parents Association favorite! All monies raised support PPA activities that benefit the School. This year’s event on February 4 will also feature a silent auction of unique and valuable services or products offered by Principia community members.
Upper School Hosts Visitors the Weekend of February 11
Visiting weekends give high school-age students an opportunity to learn firsthand what makes Principia Upper School different—and special. Get all the details here.
Choir Concert at Ridgway on February 11
Upper School singers present a “bistro” choir concert that is sure to delight all with favorites old and new. The program begins at 8.00 pm.
Jan 17–20
Career Conference
This 3 ½-day conference helps students prepare for life after graduation. Topics covered at this annual event include the basics of job searching, interviewing, networking, applying to graduate schools, and more. Get details here.
Jan 23
First Day of Spring Semester
Jan 27
Eric Le Van, Concert Pianist
Davis Music Hall, 7–9 p.m.
American classical pianist Eric Le Van visits the College for a unique concert performance followed by a piano master class for music students on Jan 28. Le Van has performed throughout the United States and Europe and is well known for his interpretations of Brahms and Scriabin.
Jan 30
Winter Convocation
Cox Auditorium, 1 p.m.
Four student speakers share experiences, insights, and inspiration on the new Community Commitment themes: Strive, Conquer, Love, and Give. Join us in person or tune in to Principia Internet Radio (PIR).
Jan 31
Principia Chat on College Leadership Institute
Live on PIR at 8 p.m.
Tune in to hear Leadership Institute Director David Wold share how the Institute’s fellowship program and other activities are impacting character education at the College.
Feb 2
Minoma Littlehawk Shares Her Cheyenne Story
Wanamaker Hall, 7:30–9 p.m.
As part of the Diversity Speaker Series, Native American historian and former U.S. park ranger Minoma Littlehawk shares a Native American view of Custer’s last stand.
Ongoing
Winter Sports
Winter sports are here! That means it’s time to cheer on the men’s and women’s basketball teams, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and indoor track and field. See the College athletic website for information, schedules, and athletic news.
Principia middle schoolers recently discovered two interesting facts about chess:
This dichotomy is exactly what makes the game an ideal educational tool, according to both chess aficionados and educators. Proponents of “scholastic chess”—the structured coaching and playing of chess among school students of all ages—say it promotes logical thinking and improves skills in concentration, communication, objectivity, and pattern recognition. Several studies over the years have shown, in particular, a correlation between chess play and improved performance in mathematics.
And not least of all in this day of mainly electronic entertainment, kids still have fun playing chess! “I like it a lot,” says sixth grader Olivia, “especially how you can play with your friends, and it doesn’t have to be too serious. But you also have to pay attention and have a good memory!”
Olivia had never played chess until November, when she and her classmates took part in a new partnership forged between Principia School and the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis (CCSCSL). The club has since provided several on-site lessons to sixth graders, teaching them the rules and strategies of the game.
Formed only three years ago, CCSCSL is now the premier site of competition chess in the U.S., having hosted the last three U.S. Chess Championship tournaments. The center works with more than fifty schools around St. Louis and offers evening classes for children and adults.
On a recent visit to the club’s World Chess Hall of Fame, Principia students got to meet resident Grand Master Ben Finegold and were thoroughly impressed by his ability to play a game blindfolded—and win!
Student response has been so positive that Principia will be offering a similar program after hours to lower schoolers in January. More than thirty children have already signed up.
While most upper schoolers were back home relaxing with their families after School let out December 9, the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams stayed on for another week of practice and competition. And, in the case of the boys’ team, community service, too.
At the suggestion of Coach Duane Thomas, the boys’ team decided to run a free, week-long basketball clinic for fourth-to-eighth grade Principia students at Carey Field House. More than twenty energetic youngsters (and their grateful parents!) took advantage of this opportunity.
The Panthers, for their part, took this clinic as seriously as they take their games. Meeting as a group, they designed a morning program with various “stations” around the gym floor for coaching small groups in defense, lay-ups, and shooting. They also built in structured time for warm-ups, two-on-two play, and a bit of horsing around.
“We split up into groups and everyone had individual coaching jobs,” explained senior Connor Savoye. “We really tried to make it a coaching-your-position type of thing. We had guards do dribbling. We had [others] do passing. And our main defenders . . . taught defense.” Brandishing a pencil, a clipboard with notes, and a piercing whistle to get attention, Savoye monitored the court each morning, making sure all the boys—big and little—were where they should be during the two-and-a-half hour session.
The Panthers’ assistant coach, Evan “Emac” MacDonald, and the Middle School basketball coach, Paul Perea, were on site each day but purposely did not get directly involved. “The boys [did] a great job running the show themselves,” Emac commented.
Through this process, the varsity players appear to have increased their appreciation for the efforts of their own coaches. “We have been noticing more now what Coach does in practice and how he talks to the players,” Savoye said. “We realized that if we listen to our coaches like we want the kids to listen to us, it will make us a more successful team.”
Well, obviously, the varsity boys (and the girls) have been listening to their coaches—judging by their win-loss record to date! (You can follow their progress here.)
And the “kids” who attended the camp appear to have done their own listening, too, showing marked improvement in skills and coordination during the week. “These guys are so cool. I wish we could do this camp for another week,” sighed one fifth grader as he headed home after the last day of the clinic.
Thanks to the School sports information coordinator, Christine Fleer, for contributing to this article.
Winter weather and winter sports have arrived on campus. This year’s fall teams, however, have left some pretty big shoes to fill, walking away with numerous individual, team, and coaching awards. Three fall coaches were named St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Coach of the Year, women’s soccer went to the first round of NCAA DIII Nationals, and men’s cross country raced their way to a SLIAC Championship, but that’s not all. Read on for details about 2011’s outstanding fall athletic season!
Women’s Soccer: The women’s soccer team was 8–0 in conference play again this year and became conference champions for the fifth consecutive year. They won the SLIAC tournament and went on to the first round of NCAA DIII Nationals, where they lost to Wartburg College 0–2. New head coach Jess Semnacher was awarded the SLIAC Coach of the Year award for the first time and took his team to an overall record of 16–4–1. Three women’s soccer players were selected for SLIAC’s First Team All-Conference: Alicia Girbes-Pierce, Rachel Publicover, and Lauren Wienecke. Cristina Post was selected for the Second Team All-Conference, and Hayley MacWilliams and Carlie Sanderude received Honorable Mention. Alicia Girbes-Pierce was also selected for the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team. The SLIAC All-Tournament Team included Nadine Marczi (MVP), Lauren Wienecke, Kelly DeWindt, and Carlie Sanderude. Our women’s soccer team also received the SLIAC Team Sportsmanship Award and the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
Men’s Soccer: Men’s soccer ended its season with a 5–10–2 overall record and a 3–4–1 record in conference play. Although finishing sixth in the conference, the men’s team kept us hanging on until the final game to determine if they would make it to the conference tournament, which they barely missed. Two players were selected for the SLIAC First Team All-Conference: Alan Cheatham and Samuel Thomas. Paul Sanderude and Patrick Harber were selected for the Second Team All-Conference, and Garrett Bourcier was selected for the All-Sportsmanship Team. The men’s soccer team also earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
Volleyball: The volleyball team was exciting to watch as they climbed their way to fourth in the conference after being ranked much lower in the pre-season poll. The team finished with a 19–19 overall record and a conference record of 11–5, making it to the SLIAC Championship Tournament, where they lost to Greenville College in a five-game battle that could have gone either way. Head coach Mary Ann Sprague was named SLIAC Coach of the Year for the third time. Freshman Tess Rountree stood out this year as a prominent threat on offense and defense. She was ranked eighth in the nation for total points and kills per game. She also claimed three All-Tournament Team awards and was selected for SLIAC’s First Team All-Conference. Kiersten Andersen and Tara Edwards were selected for the Second Team All-Conference, and Savanna Sprague was selected for the All-Sportsmanship Team. Junior Kiersten Andersen was selected for the SLIAC All-Tournament Team as well as the Rhodes Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Cross Country: This year’s cross country teams had a successful, exciting season under head coach Chuck Wilcoxen, who was awarded SLIAC Coach of the Year for men’s cross country. The men’s team claimed the title of SLIAC Champions, and the women’s team came in as runner-up. Three athletes were selected to the NCAA All-Midwest Region Team: Drew Clark, Wylie Mangelsdorf, and Casey Powell. Junior Casey Powell was also chosen for the SLIAC Runner of the Year award, which was not surprising after she claimed five Runner of the Week awards during the season. Men’s and women’s cross country claimed both SLIAC Newcomer of the Year awards, which went to Adam Rolph and Sarah Litwiller. Players selected to the SLIAC First Team All-Conference included Casey Powell, Sarah Litwiller, Drew Clark, Derrick Fleming, and Wylie Mangelsdorf. Emily Osborne and Jeff Strickland were selected to the Second Team All-Conference, and Maegan Brewer and Andy Crump made the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team. The men’s team also earned the SLIAC Sportsmanship Award. Sophomore Wylie Mangelsdorf attended the NCAA DIII Cross Country National Championship in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He ran a PR and finished 89th out of 279 participants with a time of 25:15.12.
Rugby: Although rugby is not a varsity sport here at Principia and doesn’t have a governing body such as the NCAA or SLIAC, the Principia Thunder Chickens had quite a season of growth and excitement. Under new head coach Ward Patterson, the team earned plenty of respect among those they played. The Thunder Chickens ended their season with a record of 3–6, which is impressive since most of the players have never played outside of Principia and several of the players were beginning their first year of training. No formal awards were received due to the lack of a governing body, but the Thunder Chickens handed out their own team awards. The Most Improved award went to Naveed Hosseinmardi; Kendall Shoemake was Rookie of the Year; Max Russell earned the designation of Best Tackler; and Trevor Marunde was named Most Valuable Player.
Congratulations to all of our fall athletes and coaches!
Welcome to 2012! Here at Principia, we’re planning a year of celebration and progress.
Throughout the year, we will be celebrating a century of higher education at Principia; the first junior college class graduated in 1912. To mark this milestone, we are planning several events. A historical display and centennial timeline will be unveiled following Winter Convocation later this month, and alumni and guests will be invited to campus for special events during May’s College Commencement weekend and this year’s Summer Session.
We are looking forward to building on the solid foundation of Principia’s history while moving rapidly forward with expansive new ideas. This year, you will hear about the launch of Principia Lifelong Learning—a new educational program offering online courses, on-campus learning opportunities, and learning adventures around the world. We are excited to offer Principia students of all ages the opportunity to learn online, on campus, and on location. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
Elsah is still relatively quiet, as College students have two more weeks of break. But in St. Louis, the School campus is back in action.
Auditions for the Upper School Spring Production are just around the corner. Right before break, it was announced that students will be putting on “Crazy For You” the first weekend in April. Featuring the best of George Gershwin’s music, this show takes its audience on a thrilling ride of plot twists and unexpected turns. From musicians to actors and backstage hands, the entire community will be working together in the next few months to put on the show. It’s one of many opportunities to be dazzled by the abundant talent within our community.
Another display of individuality and creativity starts next week when the Class of 2012 begins sharing their Senior Speeches. I always find these speeches inspiring. They provide an opportunity for seniors to showcase the lessons they have learned and share their insights with the rest of us.
The second week of classes at the College will bring Winter Convocation. Four student speakers will be addressing the new Community Commitment themes: Strive, Conquer, Love, and Give. As the focus of this year’s orientation for new students, these four themes have already led to rich conversations and provided opportunities for growth. You’re invited to join us for Convocation in person or by listening on Principia Internet Radio (PIR). Mark your calendar for Monday, January 30, at 1 p.m.
On Tuesday, January 31, the next program in our series of Principia Chats will air live on PIR at 8 p.m. (CT). Tune in to hear David Wold, director of the College’s Leadership Institute, share updates on the Institute’s fellowship program and the many ways it is contributing to character education at Principia. You can submit your questions during the Q&A segment of the program. If you missed previous Principia Chats, I encourage you to check out the podcasts and video highlights.
On Principia’s Golden Anniversary in 1947, founder Mary Kimball Morgan expressed gratitude for the school’s “host of God-given friends.” Today, I share her gratitude for our invaluable alumni and friends. As Mrs. Morgan said, “The years have moved rapidly and have been infinitely rich in blessings received, in victories achieved, and in love expressed” (Education at The Principia, p. 217). I wish you a year of great blessings, many victories, and much love!
It’s been quite a while since Derek Grier was a student at Principia Lower School. But, apart from having to scrunch up his knees in order to sit down, he seemed quite happy to be back at a fifth grade desk for an afternoon a few weeks ago.
As a recently elected councilman for the City of Chesterfield, MO, Grier was guest of honor for the students’ presentations marking the culmination of their study unit on American citizenship. He listened attentively as the students spoke and acted, made notes, and then addressed them at the end of the session, speaking from his own experience as an elected official and from the perspective of his work in community association management and development.
The fifth graders, led by teacher Heather Tibbetts and assistant Sherry Myles, had spent several weeks learning about the roots of American democracy and the rights and responsibilities of a U.S. citizen. As part of an innovative, project-based learning approach, they were divided into groups to research what it means to be a citizen and to develop creative presentations that demonstrated their understanding of the concept. During their research, the students sent written questions or made phone calls to Grier, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, and U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, among other government officials.
Delighted with the way the students stepped up to the challenge of “taking charge of their own learning,” Tibbetts remarked that “I saw a side of the students I’ve never seen before. The project brought out their creativity, teamwork, leadership, and technology skills.”
One group chose to present a few famous speeches from U.S. history and prepared a video of themselves, attired in period garb, proclaiming the ringing words of Patrick Henry, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King. Another group conducted mock interviews with an “officer of the law” and regular citizens in a talk-show format, complete with anchors, guests, and sets. And a third group scripted and filmed short videos underscoring that good citizens help those in need, care for the environment, and are polite to their neighbors.
After the presentations and a short break for cookies and cake, the students took a “citizenship test” that included some of the questions asked of foreigners seeking U.S. citizenship during the naturalization process. (You’ll be happy to know all the students passed with flying colors!)
Grier (US ’99, C ’03) was full of praise and encouragement for the class, commending their understanding of the Pledge of Allegiance and their active participation in various acts of community service through the School and at home.
“This embodies the character in ‘character education,’” he said, handing out flags to the beaming students and reminding them, “Every great country needs great citizens!”
Duh, duh, duh, duh . . .
Guh, guh, guh, guh . . .
Phuh, phuh, phuh, phuh . . .
If you were eavesdropping outside Ridgway Auditorium on a recent Friday, we wouldn’t blame you for wondering why on earth Principia upper schoolers were working on basic alphabet sounds.
But don’t worry! We haven’t sent these teenagers back to preschool. They were just practicing the very same breathing and vocal exercises used by actors at London’s world-renowned Globe Theatre—exercises shared with them by a group of Principia College students, recently returned from studying abroad in England.
The visiting College drama troupe, which included several School graduates, presented an excerpt to all Upper Schoolers from William Shakespeare’s Pericles, Prince of Tyre, complete with intricately choreographed sword fights and scenes of Grecian revelry. They then led a short workshop to share interpretive and acting techniques and their new understandings of Shakespeare with School students enrolled in the theatre arts program.
The brainchild of Liesl Ehmke and Chrissy Steele, of the School and College drama departments respectively, this collaboration is part of a deliberate effort to promote interchange between the two campuses. (Other examples include the School’s Roots and Shoots Club’s attendance at environmental talks in Elsah; College Senior Ken Baughman’s presentation on sea turtles to the Lower School at the invitation of the Oceans Club; and a Middle School visit to Marshall Brooks Library to learn about the College’s collection of rare Bible translations.)
“We hoped this would be a unique opportunity for the College students to express leadership qualities and share what they had learned . . . and for the Upper School students to appreciate Shakespeare from an actor’s standpoint,” explained Ehmke. The event, she added, was also a way for Upper School graduates now at the College “to give back and bless current students at the School.”
And so it was for Hunter Hoffman (US’08), one of several former upper schoolers in the production. Being back on the Ridgway stage “brought back a lot of wonderful memories,” said Hoffman, who played a swashbuckling suitor in Pericles. He gratefully recalled how School faculty, staff, and house parents enthusiastically supported his passion for acting. Now, equipped with a “larger appreciation and understanding of how truly talented Shakespeare was,” Hoffman was delighted to be sharing his excitement at his alma mater.
Back on the stage, as the College thespians led upper schoolers through exercises on movement and dialogue, drama professor Steele called out, “Remember, the Shakespearean actor needs to be a detective!” She underscored the “many significant clues” that the playwright provides through his careful use and juxtaposition of vowel and consonant, verse and prose, and different terms of address.
Several upper schoolers who confessed to a limited familiarity with Shakespeare said they found the workshop an enjoyable eye-opener. Which is exactly what Ehmke was looking for! “Experiences like this really help spark students’ interest in learning more about the Bard,” she said.
In fact, if you’d hung around Ridgway long enough, you, too, would have learned some interesting facts about Shakespeare—and, perhaps, been relieved to hear students move on from their voice exercises to deliver stirring lines from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado about Nothing.
