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CRLS News CRLS students spend summer in search of personal growth By Justin T. Martin [9/21/09]
CAMBRIDGE _ CRLS Senior Henok Tensae spent his summer months in a rural village outside of Azua, in the Dominican Republic, adjusting to the culture shock of bumpy dirt roads and unreliable electricity and marveling at the resourcefulness and communal strength of the townspeople. “The people there make the community special and strong,” he said. Meanwhile, Tensae’s classmate, Dennis Gu, was in Argentina, teaching photography lessons to special education students and becoming self-aware of the unnecessary barriers he’d built as a child and the rewards of newfound connections and friendship. “It’s amazing, the connections you can have,” he said. And on the Hopi Reservation, a few hundred miles northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, Esthefany Cepeda spent her summer learning from a Native American community to appreciate family in a different way, in awe of how tight-knit familial bonds can and should be. “When I left, we were all crying,” she said. “They treated me like family. It was the most amazing experience for me. I learned to appreciate my family and the choices, the sacrifices, they made for me.” The trio of CRLS seniors said the summer experiences they encountered in points far from Harvard Square have better prepared them for finishing their high school careers, for excelling in college, and for succeeding in life. It is one of the many benefits of what Principal Chris Saheed calls “The CRLS experience”. “Summer Search is a remarkable and wonderful program,” Principal Saheed said. “Summer Search is one of the many leadership development programs available to CRLS students. “The stories these students come back with, the experiences they can share with their families, with their classmates and their teachers are just amazing.” Founded in San Francisco in 1990, Summer Search helps place more than 700 high school students nationwide annually on a path of positive change. Summer Search selects high school students who demonstrate potential for resiliency, altruism and performance and helps them realize their full leadership potential. Summer Search has a four-pronged approach that supports students so they finish high school and go to college, and then helps them be successful in the real world, while encouraging them to give back in the process. The leadership program services include: weekly mentoring sessions with highly trained staff mentors, two summer experiential education programs, college advisory services throughout high school, and alumni support throughout college and beyond. CRLS juniors Maria DeJesus, Adam Gelaw, and Stephanie Holloway are in the first year of two year program. DeJesus spent three weeks on the coast of Maine rock climbing, sailing, and learning leadership skills. “Rock climbing was my favorite,” he said. “It was hard, but I made it to the top of the mountain. I feel like I could do it again.” Gelaw spent his time in northern Minnesota, backpacking, canoeing and mountain climbing. All the while, he was discovering an inner strength for overcoming adversity. “It builds character,” he said. “It was incredible.” Holloway conquered self doubt in Sacramento, California, where she learned sea-kayaking, went white water rafting, and climbed a mountain. “I have a sense of accomplishment,” she said. “White water rafting was much more fun than I thought it would be, and sea kayaking was hard with the big waves, but I did it.” Strengthened by these experiences, all six students have set their sights on their next life goal: high school graduation and then college. They are considering Harvard, Boston College, Howard, Georgetown and Northeastern. “I’m really impressed by these students,” Principal Saheed said. “They truly do exemplify everything we as a high school community aspire to be. They represent our motto of Opportunity, Diversity, and Respect." CRLS students interested in this program and others like it should contact their guidance counselors. CRLS Underwater Robotics Team Takes 2nd Place in Regionals The CRLS Underwater Robotics team took second place in the 8th Annual International Student Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition regional held on April 25th at the Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA and will now go on to compete in the final international competition on June 24th through June 26th again in Buzzards Bay. The seven member team successfully designed and built a remotely controlled, self-propelled, marine robotic rescue devise that located and rescued lost submerged objects under water. The CRLS team beat out 21 other public, private and technical high school programs from all over New England, New York and New Jersey. National Honor Society completes another successful year The Cambridge Rindge and Latin National Honor Society (NHS), one of the oldest and perhaps most prestigious such National Honor Society organizations in the country, is completing another very successful academic year. Thursday, May 14th, the annual Cambridge Rotary Club Awards Breakfast for senior graduates was held at the Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge. Four NHS seniors received $1000 scholarships for outstanding academic achievement and community service.
Recipients were CRLS Senior Ben Likis for his work with “Breakthrough,” a tutorial project, CRLS Senior Miriam Bromfield for her work with “Best Buddies,” a peer leadership/advocacy project, CRLS Senior Alexandra Berke, for her work with “Club 4” that serves meals for the Harvard Square Homeless project, and CRLS Senior Janisa Davila, for her work with the Cambridge Margaret Fuller House, one of the oldest settlement houses in America. In addition, Cambridge Rotary Club provided grants of $500 to each of these service organizations. CRLS math teacher Peter Mili is the CRLS faculty advisor to the NHS.
Earlier in the Spring, (Thursday April 9), the Cambridge Rindge and Latin National Honor Society inducted 81 juniors into its ranks. The event was held in the CRLS Fitzgerald Theater and attended by many CRLS teachers, fellow NHS recipients, and families of the students. NHS President Adelilna Huo, Vice President Ben Likis, Secretary Elizabeth Hoffman, and Treasurer Elizabeth Asefa spoke the four “NHS pillars of membership”: Leadership, Service, Character, and Scholarship. The featured guest speaker was Language Arts teacher, and Register Forum faculty advisor, Steve Matteo. Two inductees, Jake Harris (‘10) and Paris Ellsworth (’10) wowed the assembled crowd with their singing and accompanying guitar playing. On Wednesday, May 13th, 64 members of the NHS Class of 2010 spent a community service day at the annual Senior Citizens Picnic, hosted by Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons, the City of Cambridge, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More than 1000 senior citizens attended the always popular annual picnic lunch held in the MIT hockey rink.
Adorned in light green t-shirts that proclaimed the “all-green lunch”, the students demonstrated their service protocols: they greeted guests and assisted those with walkers and wheelchairs, socialized with seniors, served coffee, pastries, lunch and dessert, and joyfully danced with the guests. Afterwards, they assisted with the massive clean-up. *Special thanks to Larry Aaronson for this report. NASA Astronaut Rick Hauck visits CRLS Former NASA Astronaut Frederick “Rick” Hauck addressed several hundred students from RSTA and CRLS science classes on May 7th in the Fitzgerald Auditorium.
Capt. Hauck, a retired U.S. Navy pilot and Vietnam War combat veteran, is also the uncle of RSTA engineering teacher Conrad Hauck. Conrad Hauck (CRLS Class of ‘83) began teaching at RSTA six years ago and had long been planning to bring his “Uncle Rick” to speak to CRLS students about the highly complex and daunting work of Astro-aeronautical engineering. Capt. Hauck presented an awe-inspiring power point production entitled From Earth To Mars, which featured graphic illustrations and video clips of NASA’s long journey from the earliest Apollo flights and astronauts’ moon walks, to building the International Space Station. The power point also included dramatic depictions of NASA’s future plans to return to the Moon and place American astronauts on Mars. His presentation included innumerable photographs and video clips from each of Capt. Hauck’s three spaceflights on NASA Shuttle missions. Capt. Hauck first flew on the seventh shuttle mission in July of ‘83. He flew on the orbiter Challenger flight alongside astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly on a Shuttle mission. NASA assigned Capt. Hauck to be flight commander on two subsequent space shuttle missions. Both were risky firsts: In 1984 he commanded a mission that launched two large satellites, and was the first to retrieve two satellites to be salvaged and returned to earth. In 1988 Capt Hauck commanded the first flight mission after the Challenger explosion. After a 40 minute presentation, Capt. Hauck provided a 20 minute Question-and- Answer period to answer students concerns and curiosity about past, present, and future space flight. He told the students he expected future aeronautical engineers to emerge from these classrooms. Undoubtedly Capt. Hauck’s talk fired the imagination of the budding space science engineers and future astronauts in the audience. At the end of the assembly he presented a large photography book of NASA’s Space Shuttle program personally autographed to RSTA students and faculty.
Earlier in the day Capt. Hauck visited his nephew, Conrad Hauck’s engineering classes, and paid an extensive visit to the auto-mechanic and engineering shops. He was impressed with both, calling them “state-of-the-art” labs for teaching technology and engineering to high school students. Capt. Hauck now lives in Portland, Maine, having retired as CEO of AXA insurance group, a company that specializes in underwriting insurance for the risk of launching and operating satellites. Congratulations to the following seniors for being offered and accepting the 2009 Colby Sawyer College Progressive Scholar Scholarship:
FoCRLS Announces Faculty Grant Awards Please join Friends of CRLS in congratulating our 3rd annual Faculty Grant recipients! Our twelve Grantees for '09-'10 were chosen from among a wide variety of programs and departments. Our review panel of 10 CRLS parents, community members, and alumni, gave careful consideration to each proposal. Recipients this year reflect the commitment and vision of both faculty and FOCRLS to the academic and social development of all of our CRLS young people, and a deep interest in the ongoing professional development of the teaching community at CRLS as reflective practitioners and stewards of the school and its students. Maria Athanassiou, Teacher in Charge of the B-ELA and the International Student and Family Center and Rene Meshon, Teacher and Manager, CRLS/CSV Tutoring Center, for "Field Trip to the Huntington Theater" (a collaboration to expose ELA students to the language of the stage). Ann Marie Ciccarelli, Health Assisting Instructor/RSTA, "Medical Careers Fair". Alice Chen, Library teacher, CRLS/Pearl K. Wise Library, and Patricia Cronin, Teacher, Office of Special Education - a special education and library collaboration, "Audio Access as a Literary Lift". Doug McGlathery, Math Teacher/Instructional Support Coach (Technology)/VHS Site Coordinator/Moodle Administrator, for "Collecting Mathematical Stories". Barbara Weaver, History Teacher and History Club Advisor, "History Club Research/Advocacy in Washington, D.C. MIT's Society of Women Engineers Extends Invitation to High School Girls WiSE Program information session to be held on April 4th
WiSE is a program aimed at providing high school girls with the opportunities and resources to explore science and engineering. The program is open to female students that possess the desire to learn about these fields, and is meant to serve those in the Greater Boston area. Students participating in a WiSE session will attend lectures and panels held by MIT students and professors, visit MIT laboratories, and engage in discussions with peers sharing similar interests and passions. WiSE sessions will encompass a multitude of focuses, ranging from cutting-edge research in technology to the college admission process. Amidst the diverse spectrum of topics lies the purpose of preparing young women for making smart decisions about and taking action toward their studies and careers goals. The upcoming session will be held at MIT from 9:30am to 4pm. This session will focus on the theme of Chemistry and will include a speaker from the MIT Department of Chemistry, Professor Cathy Drennan, a tour of MIT’s research facilities, and other games and activities. To register for the event, you must complete a WiSE permission slip and publicity
You will receive a confirmation letter confirming your registration. To learn more about the program: http://web.mit.edu/swe/www/wise.html If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the WiSE Coordinators, Kimberly Li and Sumi Sinha, by email: swewise@mit.edu MIT SWE Essay Contest Description Eligibility Judging Prize Download the Essay Contest Application here:
CRLS History Club Competes in National History Day
Study of United States history is alive and well among members of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School History Club. This year, in addition to traveling in January to the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., History Club members participated at the District competition for Massachusetts National History Day, held at Winchester High School on March 7. National History Day takes place each year over a span of several months as middle and high school students across the country create performance pieces, documentary films, academic papers, history-based websites, and three-dimensional exhibits on a pre-selected theme. Competition takes place progressively at the city, district, state, and national levels. For this year’s theme of “The Individual in History”, the Rindge group chose to center their work on Lewis Hayden, a lesser known hero of the fugitive slave and abolitionist movement, who later became the first African-American government employee in Massachusetts. Participants of the History Club at the district competition, were (from left): Ian Adler, Estefanie Cepeda, Kira Nipson, Nessarose Schear, as well as Casey Buderi (not shown in photo). Advisor for the club is Dr. Barbara Weaver. (Photograph by Emily Scudder) CRLS: Thoughts and reflections of a guidance counselor in a diverse High School
Three decades of service at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) gives me an in depth understanding of the daily ins and outs of life at one of the most diverse school settings in greater Boston. The present CRLS student mosaic is composed of 39% African Americans, 36% Whites, 12.8% Latinos, 9.05% Asians and 3.15% of other groups. Dozens of world languages are spoken at CRLS in addition to English. In my view, this is an example of a secondary education school that has adjusted well to the educational needs of a diverse ethnic, multicultural and multilingual population in the city. CRLS is a school that favors an education centered on equity and quality. It is a school that strives to create academically competent, adaptable, flexible and caring individuals who are lifelong learners and who will be able to keep up with the quick speed of the fast pace changing world we live in. Furthermore, CRLS has aimed to carry on the vision of its founders, which reflects academic rigor, accountability, tolerance, and respect among students, community, educators and other school staff. Colby-Sawyer Progressive Scholars Attend Welcome Dinner On Tuesday, March 25, 2008, Colby-Saywer College announced its Progressive Scholars Awards to Cambridge Rindge and Latin and Malden High School. The event, held at Ryles in Cambridge, was hosted by Colby-Sawyer President Thomas C. Galligan Jr. He was accompanied by his wife and joined by Jen Jacques, Associate Director of Admissions and Transfer Coordinator, as well as Greg Matthews, Vice President for Enrollment Management, who presented the seven CRLS and six Malden seniors with full 4-year scholarships to Colby-Sawyer College. In addition to the students and their families, several members of CPS administration and faculty were in attendance: Dr. Carolyn Turk, Deputy Superintendent; MaryAnn McDonald, Executive Director of Student Achievement and Curriculum; Kathy Greeley, Director of Middle School Program Development and AVID District Coordinator; Leslie Davis, CRLS AVID Coordinator; Caroline Hunter, Senior AVID Elective teacher; and Danielle Corke, former AVID teacher. CRLS graduate and current student mentor Lisette Williams was also present. The Colby-Sawyer Progressive Scholars from CRLS are all current or former AVID students: Elizabeth Almemayehu, Luis Arias, Chris Blake, Henock Daniels, Vahsaun Givans, Daphney Noel, and Jerry Vilburn. Natalie Castile has also been invited to become a Progressive Scholar, but has not finalized her decision. FOCA Announces Program Development Grants FOCA announces the following Program Development grants:
Congratulations to the coaches and teams who applied for grants. The Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (FOCRLS) is sponsoring a new student incentive program known as the Unsung Hero Awards. The Unsung Heroes initiative was the brainchild of principal Chris Saheed and the Deans of Students, coordinated by Dean Jamalh Prince. Saheed and the Deans see the awards as a means of acknowledging the often-quiet but heroic steps students take toward leadership, improved attendance, study habits, care, stewardship, and citizenship during their time at CRLS. Sixteen CRLS students, nominated by their Learning Community deans were recognized during lunch assemblies attended by students, administrators, and parents on February 27, 2008.
Awards were given to one student in each learning community in each grade. These awards represented the students’ achievements during the Fall (2007-08) semester. A second round of awards, slated for presentation this fall, will be based upon students’ demonstrated progress during the spring ‘08 semester, with a grand prize award for outstanding achievement among all the Unsung Heroes. The award-winners received certificates and specially crafted watches sporting the CRLS-Falcons (the school symbol) watch faces. Awards were presented to:
Elaine Schear, Friends of CRLS Treasurer and co-founder, who is also a CRLS parent and tutor, said of the award ceremony, "It’s so moving and gratifying to see CRLS recognize the achievements of these emerging students. I wish every one of our 200 contributors were here to witness what their support has made possible. They would be so proud!” FOCRLS is also sponsoring its second annual teacher grants this spring, and is currently in the process of reviewing project proposals submitted by FOCRLS teachers. In the past year FOCRLS has supported author talks at the CRLS Pearl K. Wise Library, grants for innovative projects in Special Education, Spanish, Dance, Chemistry, Biology, Photography, and awards to four exemplary CRLS teachers, selected by the graduating seniors, at the 2007 graduation. Learn more about Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (FOCRLS). AVID Students Become Colby-Sawyer Progressive Scholars
February 19, 2008 Seven CRLS students in the AVID program have been awarded four-year, full tuition scholarships by Colby-Sawyer College as part of their Progressive Scholars Program. As Progressive Scholars, students will participate in leadership roles on campus, acting as part of a campus advisory committee on domestic diversity and urban enrollment, as ambassadors for admissions and alumni relations, and being involved in campus clubs and activities.
National Geographic’s Dr. Spencer Wells visits CRLS, talks genetic mapping, anthropology, with students
Population geneticist, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, and Harvard University alum, Dr. Spencer Wells visited Cambridge Rindge & Latin School on Tuesday, February 5, to talk with students about his current research work leading the Genographic Project and the results of DNA tests of some CRLS staff, including Principal Chris Saheed. As the only global anthropological research study to map humankind’s ancient migratory routes, The Genographic Project aims to provide the first true ‘snapshot’ picture of how each of us moved out of Africa and around the globe 60,000 years ago. “We’re using the tools of genetics to try to figure out where we all come from,” Dr. Wells told a group of about 30 students from the school’s anthropology class. Dr. Wells discussed the Genographic Project with students who have been studying the Project’s aims and ‘revealing’ the DNA results of some of their school’s teachers and administrators. He then led a special student roundtable discussion that encouraged the students to reflect on how - in spite of our diverse appearances - we all are part of the same family tree and share common origins. “This project promotes understanding of our common human ancestry,” said Dr. Saheed. “In a diverse school like CRLS, it is an opportunity to appreciate the most fundamental ways in which we share commonalities.” Science teacher Sarah Colby agreed. “These are the types of events that students simply do not get anywhere else but CRLS,” said Ms. Colby. “This type of discussion really enriches the educational experience for students and staff.” Dr. Wells, 38, is a scientist, author, and documentary filmmaker who has dedicated much of his career to studying humankind’s family tree and closing the gaps in our knowledge of human migration through DNA. The Genographic Project represents the ultimate marriage of his two great passions, biology and history. Wendell Bourne, the K-12 Coordinator for History and Social Science, said visits like Dr. Wells' show students the real life applications to what they are learning in class. “Visits like Dr. Wells, one that bridged a connection between an Anthropology class and a scientist "doing' anthropology, encourages students to see reality in their school lessons and teachers to build on the experience to help students truly understand the subject matter. It was a great class,” he said. “Our students asked great questions.” Mr. Bourne said he too learned something from Dr. Wells visit. “I took away a renewed interest in learning more about my family's history, and a deeper respect for the complexity and interconnectedness of the human family. Questions of race and and ethnicity do not always have simple answers.” Dr. Wells graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas at Austin at the age of 19 going on to pursue his Ph.D. at Harvard University and his post-doctoral training at Stanford. Since the project launched in 2005, his work with the Project’s ten global research centers has taken him to three dozen countries, including Chad, Tajikistan, Morocco, and French Polynesia. ABOUT THE GENOGRAPHIC PROJECT……… Who are we? And where do we come from? The story of humanity’s journey can be found within each of us—encoded in our DNA. In 2005, National Geographic and IBM, with support from the Waitt Family Foundation, launched the Genographic Project, one of the most ambitious scientific research and public participation initiatives ever undertaken. With over a quarter of a million people already taking part – funding the Legacy Fund which supports indigenous cultural projects - the project is gathering and analyzing the world’s largest collection of anthropological DNA samples in the hope it will capture an invaluable genetic snapshot of humanity before modern-day influences erase it forever. For more information: www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic. CONGRATULATIONS TO CRLS ATHLETIC SCHOLARS!
Five of our student athletes signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday and will be heading off to various colleges and universities around the country on athletic/academic scholarships. Please extend your congratulations to the following student athletes!
Special thanks to Coach Lance Dottin for organizing a very successful celebration and press conference for our student athletes! GLOBE TOUTS CRLS SENIOR METOK HUGHES-LEVINE FOR BYSO PARTICIPATION A story in the September 30, 2007 Boston Globe in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra highlights the hard work and dedication of several of its musicians including CRLS Senior Metok Hughes-Levine. Read the full story here. Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Inc. (FOCRLS, Inc.) has awarded small grants to the following faculty members based on a competitive process of proposal review by a nine-member committee: Ana Hristic, Transition Coordinator, to start a "Best Buddies" Chapter linking students with disabilities and students without disabilities at CRLS. The Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Inc. (FOCRLS) is a new parent-initiated foundation to support the academic mission of CRLS. It is our goal to involve parents, alumni, local businesses, and other community members in strengthening CRLS in its historically diverse and excellent programs. For more information, click here. EIGHT-TIME GRAMMY WINNER EDDIE PALMIERI VISITS CRLS With fingers dancing along the keys and a smile as bright as the Caribbean sun beaming from his face, eight-time Grammy Award winning musician Eddie Palmieri on Thursday introduced an auditorium packed with Cambridge Rindge & Latin School students to the Latin Jazz sound he pioneered. “This is amazing,” said sophomore Eric Sluyter, a pianist and member of the CRLS Jazz ensemble who was fortunate enough to receive a personal lesson from the jazz legend. “I learned to always try to improve, to always try to be better. To see someone like him and how good he is, it is amazing.”
Mr. Palmieri’s visit to CRLS is part of an ever-expanding partnership between the Cambridge Public Schools and Harvard University. The Latin Jazz legend is part of the college’s “artists in residence” program. More visits from other artists in residence are planned later in the spring and next year, according to both CPS and Harvard officials. “The visit by Mr. Palmieri is a wonderful gift,” said Judith Contrucci, K-12 coordinator of the Cambridge Public Schools visual and performing arts department. “Bringing real world experiences of world class musicians to our students is an opportunity not many other schools can offer. This is unique.” Mr. Palmieri told the students of his childhood and how he learned to love music from his family, particularly his mother, his brother, and his uncle.
The popularity of his music has taken Mr. Palmieri all over the world. He recently finished an exciting and yet grueling tour through Europe, Russia, Japan, and Africa. “The love of Latin music (around the world) is quite astonishing to me,” he told the students. “Its so rewarding, they are not only interested in the music, but in the instruments.” Charles Laubacher, a junior who plays the guitar, watched the event from the audience. “I think this is great,” he said. “As a musician, and as a student, the opportunity to see a great pianist, for him to visit our school, this is a really unique experience.” Music teacher Bob Ponte called Mr. Palmieri’s visit “the opportunity of a lifetime”. “There are very few times in life like this. I hold each one close,” he said. The real treat for the students just may have been the impromptu jam session that resulted when CRLS assistant principal Bobby Tynes picked up his saxophone and joined in. Mr. Tynes, a talented musician in his own right, and Mr. Palmieri put on quite a show. The students gave them a standing ovation. “Playing with Mr. Palmieri was an honor and a dream come true for me,” said Mr. Tynes. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EDDIE PALMIERI, YOU CAN VISIT HIS WEBSITE AT http://www.berkeleyagency.com/html/palmieri.html.
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Are you a high school
girl interested in
exploring science
and engineering? The MIT Society of Women Engineers would like you to attend the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program session being held at MIT on April 4th. If you are interested, don't delay, as the deadline for registration is Saturday, March 28th!
Dr. Serafim da Cunha
His ability to fuse the rhythms of his Puerto Rican heritage with the jazz influences of Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner made him an immediate hit when he played New York's Palladium Ballroom in the 1950s and '60s. He has continued to roll on with stylistic innovations over the years, creating classic Tico albums and later mixing salsa with R&B, pop, rock, Spanish vocals and more jazz improvisation.