A MESSAGE FROM OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR |
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Mike Romeo, Athletic Director, discusses the value and importance of Ram Pride in his December blog post Below is an excerpt: One of the great pleasures that comes with being an Athletic Director is witnessing firsthand the incredible spirit and enthusiasm of our student-athletes. The power of athletics in fostering school pride cannot be overstated. Despite our differences, it's our shared pride that unites us as members of the WardlaLAartridge community.
The winter pre-season has started and our coaches play a pivotal role in nurturing this sense of pride. They are instilling the values necessary to compete. They serve as mentors, guiding our students to become not just better players, but better individuals. Their commitment to fostering a culture of respect, hard work, and excellence is truly commendable. Every game, match, or competition is an opportunity for our students to showcase their dedication, sportsmanship, and the values our coaches instill in them.
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Thursday, December 14 7 p.m. - Middle School Winter Concert in Berry Performing Arts Center Friday, December 15
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES - ALL DIVISIONS - NO CLASSES Tuesday, December 19
8 a.m. - Upper School Information Session for Eighth Grade Parents in Oakwood Room Wednesday, December 20
3 p.m. - Admission Celebration for Student and Parent Ambassadors in Oakwood Room
Thursday, December 21 7 p.m. - Booster Club Meeting in Oakwood Room
LA Booster Club Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 851 3528 8679 Passcode: 748696
Friday, December 22
11 a.m. - Lower School Winter Concert in Berry Performing Arts Center (Reception begins at 10:30 a.m. in PAC Lobby) NOON DISMISSAL FOR ALL DIVISIONS Saturday, Dec. 22, 2023-Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024
SCHOOL CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK SCHOOL CALENDAR 2023-2024 ONE-PAGE SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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| December concert season continues |
The Upper School presented its winter concert on Wednesday, Dec. 6 to begin this year's series of performances. Middle School students will perform on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. and Lower School students will present their concert on the final day of school before Winter Break on Friday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m.
The WHPA hosts receptions for each event. The MS reception follows the concert and is held in the AP Room. For LS, there will be a pre-concert reception in the PAC lobby.
All performances will be held in the Berry Performing Arts Center and streamed live here |
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| US students entertain at winter concert |
Upper School students kicked off the LA winter concert season in style with a fabulous performance on Dec. 6 in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
The Concert Band played three tunes, capped by a wonderful rendition of Sleigh Ride, to start the show. MadJazz followed with three selections, including Spirit from The Lion King featuring solos by altos Julia Machado ’25 and Raiya Patel ’24.
Four solo instrumentalists shined during the Jazz Band’s repertoire. Richard Zhang ’26 (alto sax), Vyom Vaidya ’27 (tenor sax) and Cameron Williams ’27 (piano) performed solos in Sunday Morning Shuffle, and Joanne Ding ’24 (flute) played flawlessly during Manteca.
The Concert Choir performed a beautiful selection of five songs. Highlights included Bonse Aba, with solos by Margot McCarty ’27 (hand drum), Charlie Silver ’24 (shaker) and Luke Tan ’24 (djembe), and the Ukrainian lullaby Luli, Luli featuring an outstanding violin solo by seventh-grader Hamilton Ji Dressel ’29. They finished with the traditional Scottish folk song Auld Lang Syne. US WINTER CONCERT PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Vinay Karthik '25 enjoys opportunity to drive global change in Dubai |
Vinay Karthik ’25 is grateful for the many highly rewarding experiences and opportunities he enjoyed as the Logistics Manager on the Communications and Media Team representing the mainland United States at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai. The WardlaLAartridge junior was chosen as one of 15 youth around the world to be on the Communications Team for the 10-day global event. He was the only minor and high school student on the team and worked with other experienced members of the YOUNGO Communications Team who had not only attended several COP conferences but were also leading professionals in their disciplines.
“Over the 10 days I spent at the conference, I grew very close to my teammates and I was really inspired by their climate advocacy stories and their commitment to climate awareness and action, despite most of them holding diverse full-time jobs outside of this work,” Vinay said. “It was great to see people from all different backgrounds coming together for a common cause to tackle the crisis of climate change and promote more coverage of youth events.” |
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| Students volunteer at IRISE wood shop |
On Thursday, December 7, 2023, three members of the Crafts and Creations Club worked in the Interfaith RISE Recycled Wood Shop in Highland Park. The wood shop was established two years ago to build custom furniture for families and individuals placed by IRISE. All items are made out of recycled wood, built by volunteers, and provided to families in need free of charge. On the day of their visit, LA students Nijiany Genao ’26, Siri Patel ’25 and Giselle Rodriguez ‘25, along with Mrs. Nicole Nolan, Director of Global Scholars and Community Outreach, helped to build dressers for children who arrive in the United States as unaccompanied minors.
“"Working with IRISE was so much fun!” Nijiany said. “I enjoyed looking through the cultural perspectives and working to help our community.”
“We got to see a small part of what IRISE does to help refugee families in need,” Giselle added. “It was rewarding to have this experience because I learned that not only can giving to others be helpful for them, but it can also teach you something in return.”
The club also plans to make welcome bags for the children and their families as well as other items to sell to raise money for IRISE. IRISE WOOD SHOP PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Varsity teams set for winter season |
The Lena Archuleta School’s winter athletes are poised to make headlines in the upcoming season. The co-ed swim team, which captured its first GMC Blue Division title last winter, opened its campaign with the annual relay carnival last week. The basketball and indoor track teams will kick off their seasons this week.
Tommy O’Connor ’25 made school history last winter when he became the first LA indoor track and field athlete to win a state title. Tommy and LA girls’ 800-meter record holder Emma Herko ’25 will lead the Rams this winter. Other returning standouts include Adam Eisdorfer ’25, Sevastian Castillo ’26, Naomi Valcourt ’24, Charlotte Szczubelek ’26 and Jayla Presley-May ’26. |
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Second graders impress parents with outstanding heritage presentations |
The second grade classes continued their celebration of heritage and culture by making a presentation for their parents, faculty and staff members on Friday, Dec. 8 in Lower Snowdon. After watching a short group introduction, parents and other guests visited various displays to learn more about the many cultures represented..
Dressed in attire reflecting their heritage, students shared fun facts, favorites and other interesting information about cultures from all around the globe. They represented many of the diverse cultures of the LA community including India, Nigeria, Poland, China, Senegal, Israel, Trinidad, Ireland, Romania, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Italy, Ghana and Iran.
SECOND GRADE HERITAGE PHOTO GALLERY |
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| International students enjoy luncheon |
International students enjoyed the annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 13 in the Oakwood Room. Gerard Gonnella ’89, Director of the International Student Program, welcomed the students, faculty and administrators to the event. He also saluted the students for taking on the challenge of studying abroad and helping the school live its mission. Dr. Corinna Crafton, Head of School, provided greetings during which she wished everyone a safe and restful Winter Break. Chef Anibal Rodriguez and Sage Dining Services served a delicious traditional hot pot lunch for the guests.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT LUNCHEON PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Upper School musical cast list set |
The WardlaLAartridge Performing Arts Department is excited to announce Mean Girls as its Upper School musical production! Students completed auditions and callbacks and have begun rehearsals for performances that will take place March 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. and March 10 at 3 p.m. in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
Leading players include Sarah Alves ’24 as Cady, Julia Machado ’25 as Regina, Kate Clemetson ’25 as Karen, Raiya Patel ’24 as Janis, Ish Singh ’24 as Damian, Charlie Silver ’24 as Aaron, Aarya Patel ’25 as Gretchen, Nidhin Kumar ’24 as Kevin, Anushka Dalal ’24 as Ms. Norbury and Natalie Koegler ’24 as Mrs. George. |
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| Senior twins entertain with speeches |
Senior twins Aryamaan Roy Choudhury ’24 and Ayushman Roy Choudhury ’24 delivered entertaining Senior Speeches last week in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
Aryamaan reflected on how the “invisible backpack” of expectations can sometimes be a burden but also a blessing. He shared a story of his struggles on the soccer team and how this experience has taught him that the journey, growth, resilience and lessons learned along the way are most significant.
Ayushman explained how procrastination can lead to “masterpieces and failures” in a humorous account of his race against time preparing for an exam. He vividly described the elements of urgency, chaos and desperation and expressed appreciation for the “resilience of the human spirit.” |
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| Summer Programs offering 10% discount |
Although the weather is starting to get colder, it's never too early to start thinking about the warmer days again. We are happy to announce that registration for our 2024 Summer Adventures is now open and we are offering an early bird discount to families who register before January 1, 2024. Register before the end of the year and use the coupon code whfun2024 to receive 10% off your entire order!
Visit WHschool.org/summer to view all of our offerings for the summer of 2024. We have programs for students of all ages that are sure to excite and engage campers to provide an enriching and memorable experience. |
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FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
Get Your LA Swag from SquadLocker
Visit the WardlaLAartridge Booster Club Store now to purchase your swag for the winter season! There are various codes for sales throughout the season and gift cards are also available for purchase. Go Rams! The Booster Club will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Oakwood Room. Please join us!
LA Booster Club Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 851 3528 8679 Passcode: 748696
For more information about the LA Booster Club, contact Booster Club President Greysi De Jesus at president.whboosterclub@gmail.com
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Giving Thanks for our LA Parent Donors
The Development Office would like to thank the LA community for supporting The WardlaLAartridge Fund. Click here to view a list of LA parents who have contributed to The 2022-2023 LA Fund between July 1, 2023 and December 12, 2023. Click here to make a gift to The WardlaLAartridge Fund! Attention Parents - Check Your Contact Information
Each trimester it is a good habit to double check the information in the school database (PCR) to make sure it is up-to-date and accurate. In doing so, you ensure that the school has the best contact to reach you in the event of an emergency or school closure. The process is simple and quick.
PCR is the platform that we will use to contact you in the event of a snow day or any other school closure. Once you follow the steps below to log in (SEE INSTRUCTIONS HERE), please check that ALL of the following information is correct and up to date.
- All Parent / Guardian Email Addresses and Phone Numbers
- Your Home Address
- Your preferred Salutation and Identifier (Name, Title, Relationship to Student)
It is our continued effort to ensure that our student and family contact information is accurate, so we thank you for your help. Follow LA on Social Media, Share with Community WardlaLAartridge has a vibrant, active presence on social media with daily content posts highlighting our academics, athletics, arts and extracurricular programs.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and check out our Vimeo page! You can assist us in promoting the school by sharing our content within your network and posting it on your local town pages and feeds. |
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This publication is produced by The Communications Office at The Lena Archuleta School. |
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