A Monthly News Update From the St. Margaret's Campus
Vol. 2, No. 9 Tappahannock, Virginia, May 2000
CAPTAIN'S CORNER
Dear St. Margaret's families and friends,
Could we ever have imagined a more magical May weekend? Thank you, seniors, for letting us share the warmth of your friendships that added a special sparkle to your May Ball events. On Friday, while juniors learned about colleges and the younger students took their standardized achievement tests, we boarded our small buses for a caravan to Stratford Hall. I loved spending this warm, sunny day with you, touring the Lee family home, walking through the gardens and by the Potomac River, sitting at four long tables in the tree house-like dining room for lunch, all the while watching you group and regroup, sharing bursts of energy and quiet conversations. This should be a new tradition! For me, it was a poignant reminder of how few days we have left together, but also a powerful glimpse of the maturity you will take with you when you graduate next month.
At all of our traditional events, you set an exuberantly appreciative tone. On Friday night, the Choral Concert showcased your talents. The Lantern Ceremony marked the official passing of leadership to the junior class with your thoughts translated in the Lantern song and your feelings captured in the flashes of your families' cameras. You stole the show again at our Saturday morning Parent Meeting with your Independent Study explanations and Advanced Biology skits. At lunch on the river lawn, it was your turn to sit quietly and listen as each class paid tribute to you with words, images, and songs. I know you will always cherish the individual portraits drawn by your classmates and inspired by Mrs. Neuhardt-Minor.
All of the magic came together at your May Ball. It was a perfect spring evening, balmy and still. Across the river lawn, the elegant five-peaked white tent opened to the very gentlest river breeze. Juniors formed a daisy chain leading toward the outdoor stage with its giant tree branch canopy, and you walked with your presenters to take your places in the fading light. The night was definitely yours! From the moment the band struck up the first notes of "My Girl" until the final song, you showed us how much fun five hundred people can have. Parents, grandparents, younger and older siblings, teachers, dates, and friends, all of us are glad that we could share this night with you.
Congratulations to the Class of 2000. You have given us glittering memories galore.
With fond appreciation,
Margaret R. Broad, Headmistress
COMPASS POINTS
Year 2000 Spring Family Weekend - May Ball Weekend: A Gallery of Pictures
Once again Spring Family Weekend brought together faculty, staff, students and their parents for a rollicking weekend of celebration.
Commencement Update - Commencement Weekend Set for June 3-4
The Class of 2000 will receive their commencement prizes and awards and diplomas on the river lawn stage, Sunday, June 4. Brooke Trible Weinmann, Class of 1975, will speak at commencement.
Oyster Restoration - Girls Transplant 6,500 Oysters to Great Wicomico Reef
Twenty SMS and Aylet Country Day School students worked with The Chesapeake Bay Foundation on May 2 to learn more about oysters and their importance to restoration efforts in the Bay.
Student Government Association - New Officers Elected for 2000-2001
On May 9 juniors Sara Newman, Britton Faulkner, and Dwann Cutler were elected President of the School, Vice President of the School, and Head of Honor Council, respectively, for the 2000-2001 school year.
THE CURRENT
Our faculty and staff are planning now for enriching summer experiences:
Catherine Neuhardt-Minor has been awarded a 3-week residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida. During this interdisciplinary artist-in-residence program, she will work with Master poet Quincy Troupe, Pulitzer Prize winning composer Aaron Kernis, and the Emberle Ensemble. She will complete her book manuscript, the Innocence of Falling. Andrea Robinson has been appointed Head Female Counselor at Camp Corsica on the Eastern Shore where she will also teach sailing. At SMS she will teach marine biology at Camp Reach. Jenet Moon will attend graduate classes at William and Mary and work with her children on writing a book. Clarissa Roberts will spend the summer at Cheley Colorado Campus at Estes Park in charge of mountain biking, rock climbing and sports activities. Shannon Spears plans to continue work with other English teachers and the State Department of Education on the SOL 8th grade writing assessment committee. She and Susan Stephenson will take the yearbook co-editors to the Taylor Yearbook Workshop. Kary Fronk will begin coursework for a Master of Arts degree in education at Canisius College. Margaret Broad is enrolled in a one-week workshop sponsored by N.A.I.S for school heads who write. Milly Moncure will attend Teachers on the Bay. Nurses Liz Waring and Angel Skelton plan on keeping up their skills working at Riverside Hospital. With a grant from the Robinson Fund of Church Schools, five teachers, led by Cathy Sgroi, will begin investigating how to more fully use the river in out total program.
THE FORECAST
Important Dates:
May
June- 29 - Exams through June 2
- 3 - Baccalaureate at St. John's Episcopal Church
- 4 - Commencement at 10:30am
- 27 - Community Luncheon
