Upcoming Events
Tomorrow
- Early Release Faculty Meeting 11:30 AM
- Computer Club Photo taken at 11:30 dismissal time
- Basketball Away @ Elizabeth Seton Academy2/10/2010
- Basketball Home v. Waring School2/11/2010
School News
Vocal Jazz Septet, Prism, Delights Woodward
Woodward students and staff enjoyed a terrific performance from the vocal jazz septep, Prism. The seven voice group all attend, or are alumni of, the New England Conservatory. Each are accomplished and award winning musicians and solo artists, but have joined together to sing traditional songs, jazz pieces and their own compositions for a vocal ensemble. “The focus of the group is to further the art of vocal ensemble through creative improvisations, the writing and arranging of original material, and the use of each voice as a finely tuned instrument.” (Prism) The group sang several terrific pieces and answered many questions following the performance. Woodward students leapt to their feet in enthusiastic ovation at the close of the performance and managed to convince the singers to reprise one of their numbers for an encore. Prism will be performing in Boston at Scullers Jazz Club at the Double Tree Guest Suites in Boston on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
Environmental Science Class participates in World Water Monitoring Day
As part of the Environmental Science curriculum, students from the Environmental Science class monitor the water at Butler Pond in Quincy. Their data has been submitted to the World Water Monitoring Day website. Woodward has been part of this program since its inception. This year students have also experimented to see the effect of Glyphosate (Round-up weed killer) on enzymes. This product has been used in the past on the phragmites (reeds) at the pond.
9th Grade Biology Class Attends Lecture
The 9th grade Biology class students attended a lecture at the Museum of Science in December as part of the High School Science Lecture Series. Baldomero Olivera from the University of Utah spoke about biodiversity and how researchers derive medicines and compounds from nature. This program was streamed live from Washington, D.C. as part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute"s Holiday Lecture Series.
Woodward Annual Calendar Raffle Winners Posted
Class of '88 Holds Event
The Woodward School's class of 1988 gathered together in mid-December to celebrate the holidays and the life of their friend and class mate, Bernadette Verrochi Ezell who recently passed away and whose birthday was December 23rd. Classmates explained that they "wanted to come together each December in order to remember Bernadette, keep her legacy alive, and to honor The Woodward School, since it's the way we knew our dear friend".
Latin Students Attend Junior Classical League Event
Thursday, December 4th, Woodward's Upper School Latin students attended the annual Massachusetts Junior Classical League Classics Day held at Boston University. Students from across the state signed up for this sold-out event, the theme of which was "Heroes and Villains of the Ancient World." Students were able to choose their workshops, which covered topics relating to the authors they are studying, e.g. Vergil and Julius Caesar, as well as some of the more outrageous villains such as Medea. The guest speakers were professors from Harvard and B.U., as well as professionals in other fields such as photography. At lunch and at the General Meeting, the girls enjoyed watching the veteran MJCL students cheering and dancing enthusiastically; many joined in the fun. They were also able to gather information on other MJCL programs, such as Certamen, a formalized quiz contest complete with buzzers, somewhat akin to the old College Bowl TV show. Some of the girls plan to participate in the certamina hosted by different schools, and also at the annual convention in late May. As the Yale student song goes, "Gaudeamus, igitur, iuvenes dum sumus!" or, "Let us be joyful while we are young!"
Woodward Float Wins First Prize
Congratulations to the Woodward Float Club for creating the School’s first place winning entry into the Annual City of Quincy Christmas Parade. This year’s parade theme was “Fond Christmas Memories”, and the float was conceived, designed and built by about 13 students and several parents. The Float Club, chaired by Sandy Whatley, parent of Emma ’13, organized and led this year’s Club through the busy fall season of float preparation. Club members met each weekend from October through Thanksgiving to work on the project. Special thanks go out to John Dobie of Quirk Cars for generously donating warehouse space for the final construction of the Float and Sean Farrell for his generous donation of a flatbed truck to transport the Float. The parade marches down Hancock Street in Quincy concluding at North Quincy High School. It includes about 90 different groups of participants, including nine floats. Float Club Participants: Grade 6 - Jillian Fabiano, Alison Fitzgerald, Mikalia Jackson, and Cherise Madrid; Grade 7 - Tayla Burns; Grade 9 - Katherine Dunn, Elizabeth Migueles, Sarah Saccoach, Caitlin Sullivan, Emma Whatley, and Nadia Zimo; Grade 11- Maggie Will; and Grade 12 - Lisa Sullivan. Thanks to parents: Sandy Whatley, Richard Burns, Barbara Clemmer-Dunn, Cathy Dwyer, Bill Fabiano, Scott Fitzgerald, Barbara and David Madrid, Ed Migueles, Diane Sullivan, and Kathy Zimo. Thanks also to past parents Mike Patrizi and Aisha Saunders.
Woodward enjoyed its Annual All School Thanksgiving Lunch on Tuesday, November 24th. The entire school and many returning alumnae ate together in the School’s gymnasium and enjoyed festivities including traditional class presentations. Student Council President Sarah Bender ’10 opened the meal with a giving of thanks, and introduced Headmaster Wesner, who spoke to the students about thankfulness as a chosen attitude. He described how being thankful is a healthy choice that can bring optimism and other good people into your life. He asked students to think of someone appreciative and optimistic in their lives, and notice how that person brings a positive light to those around them.
Traditional Thanksgiving Class Skits were presented after lunch. Students recited poems and gave thanks for the beautiful things in life, like family, love, and the natural world. Other class skits were creatively hilarious, including a piece called “Who Will Be America’s Next Top Turkey”, and a self- help group meeting consisting of members with the names, Tom Turkey, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bread Stuffing, and Mashed Potatoes, resulting in a poignant, charged meditation on destiny and the desire to change one’s fate. Bravo to Woodward's thoughtful Thanksgiving thespians.
Massachusetts State Representative Steve Tobin, parent of Stephanie ’07 and uncle of Taylor ’14, brought and read the official Thanksgiving Proclamation from Governor Patrick. Representative Tobin referred to Mr. Wesner’s words, and said he thought of his own father as a thankful, optimistic person in his life. He also reminded the girls, that during this season of materialism, the best gift they are likely to receive is that of sitting with their good friends breaking bread and laughing together at Woodward. Representative Tobin’s daughter, Stephanie ‘07, now a junior at Stonehill, was present to hear her father’s speech, and he reminded us that he watched as Stephanie moved from her first class table (the Sixies) to succeeding class tables each year, and now, sits with the large alumnae group that return each year for this wonderful Woodward event. Representative Tobin has read the proclamation at Woodward's Thanksgiving feast for many years and looks forward to returning next year for another great meal and clever entertainment.
High School Latin and Italian Classes Visit New York City
November 20th was a day of learning and new experiences in New York City for Woodward's Upper School Latin and Italian classes. After a 41/2 hour bus ride, the students were able to stretch their legs on their walk through Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Classical Galleries of ancient Roman and Greek art were truly fabulous. What wonderful artifacts they saw -- and how especially amazing they are in light of the crude tools of the time that were used for their creation. The girls enjoyed comparing the bronze and marble sculptures; it was interesting to learn about the lost wax process, and to note how few bronze statues remain because later generations melted many of them down to reuse the metal. There were red- and black-figure urns, beautifully carved sarcophagi relating the story of the deceased"s life, plaques, jewelry, and so much more. Another of the highlights of the museum was standing in the rooms taken directly from ancient villas and transported from Italy. Because these villas were built during the time that many of the authors whose works the students are translating lived, the girls were able to feel that unique sensation of art reflecting culture. It was fun imagining being in that place in that time! After a brief shopping trip in SoHo, the day ended with a delicious meal in Little Italy. Everyone sat at one long table, breaking bread together and sharing stories of the day. After such a great time, all wished that NYC was a lot closer to Boston. Thank you to the students for helping to make the trip run smoothly; and a huge thank you to the mothers who gave up their day to chaperone and help keep the girls safe and happy.
Students Attend Opera
On Sunday, November 15, Woodward world languages students attended a performance of Carmen at the Boston Lyrical Opera Company. Students and parents were treated to the passionate and haunting music of Georges Bizet, conducted by Keith Lockhart. The event was one of the many cultural outtings to the opera, ballet, symphony and museums organized by faculty member, Lisa Iolli.
Maribeth Canning Speaks at Morning Meeting
Maribeth Canning, Vice-President of the Winchester Hospital Foundation spoke to Woodward students on November 18th at The Morning Meeting. Ms. Canning, who is responsible for developing the policies, procedures, and culture for successful philanthropic giving to her hospital, talked about the world of major philanthropy, but also stressed how people of all means can be engaged and giving to their communities. She is a dynamic and charismatic speaker and she spoke movingly about some of the personal stories that result in donations to hospital projects. Ms. Canning is a graduate of Providence College and spoke to the students about her professional journey after college, and the personal satisfaction of her work. She left the students with the ever true commandment, give back and you will gain so much more than you gave.
Reunion 2009
This year’s Alumnae Reunion Weekend ’09, was held on the 6th & 7th of November. Alumnae were invited from the class years ending in ‘4 and ‘9 and Woodward women attended in strong and enthusiastic numbers. Friday evening kicked off the weekend with a cocktail reception at The School. Attendees caught up with former classmates, toured the school, seeing what is old and new, watched a slide show with photos from years past and Woodward today, and enjoyed speaking with teachers and administrators. Headmaster Wesner talked about the state of the school, its financial outlook, and special projects. Saturday morning, alumnae met for brunch at The Fox & Hounds in Quincy and lingered to enjoy each other's company for an extended time. Their festivities included an impressively sung rendition of the School Song (see video on Alumnae page). We were especially pleased to welcome the classes of 1954 for their 55th Reunion, 1974 for a 35th reunion, 1979 for a 30th, 1989 for their 20th and 2004 for their 5th. The class with the highest attendance was 1974, with 72% of class members present. More photos are posted on the alumnae page.
Congratulations to Misha Leister ’10, a keynote speaker at the 274th Birthday Anniversary of the nation’s 2nd President John Adams, held on October 30, 2009.
The annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony, honoring President Adams, is an annual event at the United First Parish Church. The church is known as The Church of the Presidents, and is where John and Abigail Adams, and John Quincy Adams and his wife Louisa Catherine Adams are all interred. Each year various dignitaries, politicians, the general public and school groups attend. Woodward and the Church of the Presidents share an ongoing history. Woodward’s Founder, Dr. Ebenezer Woodward was doctor, cousin and friend to the Adams’ and both families worshipped at the Church. It is also where Woodward School’s graduation is held each spring.
As this year’s Adams Speaker, Ms. Leister spoke to a packed hall about John Adams’ determined commitment to education as necessary for the preservation of the peoples’ rights and liberties in the new republic. Quoting from John Adams’ diaries, she read, “as long as virtue and knowledge are diffused generally among the body of a nation, it is impossible they should be enslaved”. She also recalled words spoken to his son: “You will ever remember that the end of all study is to make you a good man and a useful citizen. This will ever be the sum total of the advice of your affectionate father”. Ms. Leister closed by thanking President Adams’ for his many unique gifts to our nation.
Ms. Leister shared the speaker’s podium with Quincy’s Mayor, the Honorable Thomas P. Koch; John Adams, a 7th generation direct descendant of the President; Peggy Baker, Director of Pilgrim Hall; Caroline Keineth, Deputy Director of The Adams National Historic Park, Dr. Edward Fitzgerald of the Quincy Historical Society; and Commander Timothy Cooper, Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Constitution, representing President Barack Obama. The United States U.S. Navy Brass Ensemble from Newport Rhode Island and the Quincy Choral Society performed musical selections at the ceremony.
Elizabeth Kinchen Speaks at Morning Meeting
At the All-School Morning Meeting on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, students enjoyed hearing from guest speaker Elizabeth Kinchen, Executive Director of El Hogar Ministries. El Hogar is a mission project of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, which runs a school called El Hogar de Amor y Esperanza, “The Home of Love and Hope”. The school started humbly in 1979, taking in five boys in Honduras where, we learned, ten times more boys than girls are abandoned to live on the streets. Today, 26 years later, El Hogar serves two hundred boys and girls in three centers, an elementary school, a technical school and an agricultural school. El Hogar has graduated hundreds of students with an education and the skills to support themselves according to the values of integrity and self-reliance they learn at El Hogar.
Ms. Kinchen spoke to the girls about the country of Honduras, the mission of the school and her background, which led her to El Hogar in 2001. Prior to working at El Hogar, Ms. Kinchen, who holds masters degrees in Computer Science and Psychology worked for over twenty years as a Program Manager and Development Manager in the software industry. She is also Director of Lay Ministry at the Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester, Massachusetts. She told the girls her own story of moving from a high powered, high paying job in corporate America to the mission work she does today. Ms. Kinchen said she has never looked back and is fulfilled, energized and inspired by her work every day. El Hogar’s website is www.elhogar.org.
Edith Cord Visits Woodward School
On November 2, Woodward students were honored with the presence of Edith Mayer Cord, who spoke with the girls about her experiences as a holocaust survivor. Ms. Cord fled from the Nazi regime during her childhood in Austria. Born in Vienna between the world wars, her parents, Edith and her brother Kurt, had to run for their lives at the outbreak of World War II, first to Italy and then to France. Edith’s father and brother were caught and murdered in Auschwitz, and Edith and her mother struggled to survive in hiding. They were forced to separate and Edith spent her teenage years pretending to be a catholic school girl with a series of different identities. After the war Edith needed to overcome the horrible trauma of the holocaust and make up for her lost education. As she said to the students, “when lives are so disrupted, you start from minus zero and it takes a very long time to pick up the pieces and put a life back together.” She rose up to became a college professor and successful financial advisor and is the mother of three, and grandmother of seven. The students were deeply moved by her frankness in telling her story and her triumphant and loving philosophy. Students extended their time with her asking many searching questions. Ms. Cord has written a book about her experiences titled, Becoming Edith, The Education of a Hidden Child. Her website is www.edithcord.com.
Sophomore Shannon Leary Speaks at Leading Women Awards Ceremony
Woodward 10th grader, Shannon Leary, was selected along with 5 other girls to represent over 40,000 Girls Scouts at the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts 18th Annual Leading Women Awards Celebration on Thursday, October 29. Over 500 people joined together to support the Girl Scouts at the event held in Boston. Shannon spoke before a packed ballroom of prominent business leaders and politicians as she shared her inspiring story of leadership, motivation and opportunities available to her through Girl Scouting. She had the honor of introducing Ms. Julie Kahn, one of the 2009 Leading Women Honorees.
