News - October 2011 Archives
10.03.11
By Marcel Gauthier, Assistant Head of School
Recently, while reconnecting with some friends, I recalled a bicycle trip we undertook the summer after our ninth grade year.
The goal of the trip was to bike from Hiram, Ohio to Ithaca, New York, a distance of about three hundred miles on the back roads we hoped to travel. We chose Ithaca because my friend’s grandfather was an entomologist at Cornell University, and he promised to take us camping…if we made it.
Our planning fixated on one central goal: carry as little weight as possible. We would bring only necessary clothing, leave the tent at home and sleep under a tarp. We would buy food and soft drinks along the way and wrap all of our gear in our sleeping bags. These would be roped to the spring-loaded book rack that bedecked the rear wheel of each of our Raleigh ten-speeds. To be official, we would call ourselves TriTrek, and have t-shirts made to lend us an identity were we to land in the hospital.
Surprisingly, our parents OK’d the trip, as long as we promised to check in after each day. (This demanded finding a pay phone and having spare change—no cell phones in 1979.)
I will let you know in advance that everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
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10.03.11
By Nancy Heuston, Head of School
There is nothing that matches the opening days of school. Reluctant to let summer recede, we have a tendency to look back over our shoulders at the barefoot days — but only for a moment. The students appear in front of us — taller and older, expectant and poised for challenge, bursting with curiosity and ready for new friends. And suddenly, we realize we are exactly where we want to be.
Summer is a cherished interlude, restorative and refreshing. But September brings us back to the real world — the world in which our students construct meaning and from which they derive purpose. They practice for their adult lives by shouldering increasing responsibility and by developing mature independence. To prompt their steps forward toward bold thinking and to cultivate their purposeful choosing is our pleasure; to witness their growth is our joy.
This year, all seemed a bit different. Linda Kitchen was not at her desk in the Humanities Building and we felt at a tilt. This woman who has been the bedrock of Waterford for so many for the past twenty-two years would not be in our midst again, and life seemed to dim. We seek to express in a variety of ways our gratitude for her wisdom and humor, her practicality and grace — and although we fall far short of our goal, we feel better for the trying. We send you our abiding love, Mrs Kitchen.
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10.03.11
Recent accolades for two of the talented artists on our faculty:
Theater teacher Javen Tanner was named first prize winner in Poetry in an annual literary contest sponsored by Irreantum magazine. Due to publication rights, we can’t reproduce them here, but the three poems honored are entitled “Sweetwater,” “Genesis,” and “In the River.”
Visual Arts teacher Suzanne Conine was recently awarded a commission from Utah Public Art Program, Division of Arts and Museums, for her beautiful sculptural piece, Slickrock Tripytch.
Slickrock Triptych
2011
25.5”x27”x27”
Slab formed Ceramic Sculpture
Aluminum and wood base
Photo: Bernard C. Meyers
10.03.11
We are excited to welcome this group of new faculty, who come to us with diverse and fascinating backgrounds. Here’s your chance to learn a bit about them.
Tim Campbell, Middle and Upper School English
Tim says he is thrilled to join the exceptional faculty at The Waterford School as an English teacher for both Middle and Upper School students. While Tim is new to the faculty, he used to enjoy the wonders of Waterford as a K-12 student. Many of his lifelong pursuits were cultivated by the likes of Mr. Bromley, Mr. Van Arsdell, Mr. Capener and many others. He says he can’t wait to give back to the school while continuing to learn and grow.
After graduating with the class of 2000, Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Colorado College while serving as captain of the men’s soccer team. For the past three years Tim has taught literature and writing courses at The Oakley School, earning the “Educator of the Year” award for 2010-2011. When he’s not in the classroom…
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10.04.11
A selection of recent images from the Waterford community:
On top of the world: one of the groups from this summer’s Class IX Interim backpacking trips. Photo: Sari Rauscher
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10.18.11
Waterford Junior Sarah Chen is the youngest of six women on the US National Short Track Speed-Skating team, and she will compete in the World Cup event this month. Sarah was recently featured in a very nice article in the Deseret News — you can read more about her here.
(Photo credit: Thomas Di Nardo, Bella Faccie Sports Media)
10.24.11
Congratulations to our 2A State Champion Women’s Soccer Team! The Ravens earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over rival St. Joseph’s on the pitch of Rio Tinto Stadium. Freshman defender Grace Sponaugle took a cross from Senior Jamie Duke, scoring on a header in the 31st minute. You can read more coverage in the Salt Lake Tribune article here, and the Deseret News article here.
[Photo credit: Leah Hogsten/Salt Lake Tribune]
