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Jacqui Nickell
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First grade students try coding on the iPads.
Computer science drives innovation throughout the U.S. economy, but it remains marginalized throughout K-12 education. While nine out of 10 parents want their child to study computer science, only one in four schools offer computer programming. 
 
Although Lakehill Preparatory School already offers a comprehensive computer science program, students of all ages joined in the fun and participated in this week's Hour of Code. Students in kindergarten through grade two used the iPads provided by Trek for Tech funds to explore coding apps, including Daisy the Dinosaur, Kodable, and Scratch, Jr. Students in grades 3 and 4 used resources on Code.org to create games, designs, and try out the basics of computer programming. "The ability to code is a key skill that today's students will need as they grow to be able to express themselves in the language of their times," said Lower School computer teacher (and recent Teacher of the Year honoree) Casey Pike.
 
Middle and Upper School Computer Science classes have been coding all year. Fifth graders continued their study of coding through code.org, while Upper School students worked on a digital assistant project, learning how Siri works and how to code an app that acknowledges and answers questions.
 
To find out more about Lakehill or to schedule a visit, visit lakehillprep.org.
 
Jacqui Nickell
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Upper School musical theater students took the stage on November 11 and 12 to present the funny and poignant Little Shop of Horrors.                               

Little Shop of Horrors is the story of Seymour, played with humor and compassion by Varun Iyer, a hapless botanist working alongside Audrey (whose vulnerability and low self-esteem were played brilliantly by Tillie McCoskey), in a Skid Row neighborhood flower shop.
 
The crabby owner Mr. Mushnik (made lovably annoying by Jacob Besser) laments his shops steady decline until Seymour happens upon a strange plant that feeds on human blood. Growing steadily on stage, the plant soon gains notoriety for Seymour and the shop, which turns the business around. The plant, named Audrey II by Seymour out of his affection for his co-worker, soon develops a domineering baritone voice and makes increasingly frightening demands. Warren Lester, offstage and unseen, delivered the classic line "Feed Me" as the voice of Audrey II, while Gaige McKnight brought the enormous puppet to life.
 
With the help of an outstanding choral trio to keep the story moving along (Abi Price, McKinney Waggoner, and Lily Turner), Little Shop of Horrors balances light-hearted moments with its characters' chronic despair, especially that of Audrey, as she contends with her abusive boyfriend Orin, a sadistic motorcycle-riding dentist, played with frightening precision by Noah Bernstein. 
 
The Lakehill production showcased the talents of nearly 40 Upper School students. Special appearances were made by fifth graders Sofia and Lily Bracken, as city dwellers in the musical number "Skid Row." The walk-on role in the musical is a special item sold each year during the Lakehill PFC Benefit Auction.  

Lakehill's production featured stage direction by Mark Guerra and musical direction by Tracy Herron. Linda Booth provided musical accompaniment, while Lela Bell returned as choreographer.

Thanks to the PFC Performing Arts Committee, Sandhya Iyer, Barbara Clay, Susan Langley, Dana Turner, and Winnie Arrington, and their team of parent volunteers for their help and support in bringing Little Shop of Horrors to the stage.

 

For more information about Lakehill, visit lakehillprep.org.

Jacqui Nickell
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Fresh air, wide open spaces, and a day away from school to enjoy it all...who could ask for more? 
 
For Lakehill's Middle School students, it just doesn't get much better than Fall Day Out. 

The weather provided the perfect backdrop for the 150 students who headed north on November 4 to enjoy a full day of play at Sisters' Grove Farm, Ms. Gajkowski's farm/homestead in Princeton, Texas.

Children enjoyed old-fashioned hay rides, a rope swing, and impromptu games of badminton and volleyball. Many relaxed on the porch with games of checkers and chess. After a cookout, students explored the property, running through the fields and orchard. 
 
While the students clearly enjoyed a day off from school, Fall Day Out seems much more about the "out" - having fun with friends in the great outdoors. It is no wonder that this special day for Lakehill's Middle School students continues to be a favorite. 
 
 
Learn more about Upper School at Lakehill at the Upper School Admission Preview on Thursday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. Find out more at lakehillprep.org.
Jacqui Nickell
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When hundreds of people take to the streets for a good cause, a lot can happen. 

Lakehill Preparatory School's 18th Annual Trek for Tech, the Parent Faculty Club's signature fall event, combined all the right elements: two great races, dedicated sponsors, enthusiastic volunteers, and a raffle with fantastic prizes. Uncertain weather couldn't keep the dedicated runners away. The results were a great time for all who attended, and a lot of money raised to purchase new technology.

Students, families, and faculty members put their best foot forward in the one-mile Fun Run, while a large crowd hit the pavement for the 5K chip-timed race. 
 
Mohamed El Saed was the first place overall winner with a time of 21:50. Tenth grader Jason Herron-Loza finished was the top student finisher with a time of 21:55. Sixth grader Avery Owen was the top overall female runner and the top-finishing female student, with a time of 23:40.
 
Organizers report that 326 people registered for this year's races. The Trek Committee is still counting the monies raised through sponsorship, registration, and technology purchases.
 
The second grade won a cupcake party for having the highest percentage of participation with 76%.
 
The Pasta Lunch, a carb-loading celebration, was held on Friday. For $5, diners enjoyed pasta and pizza, sponsored by Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. 
 
The Trek Committee thanks those companies, individuals, and families who supported the race through underwriting and equipment purchases, and the faculty, NJHS, and parent volunteers who helped the event run smoothly. 
 
 
Lakehill thanks John and Karen Owen for chairing this event again and for their efforts in making Trek for Tech a huge success!
 
Get the official Trek results here. 
 
Learn more about Lakehill at the Upper School Preview on Thursday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Campus. Dinner will be served. RSVP at lakehillprep.org.
 
 
Jacqui Nickell
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Students in Lakehill's Lower School recently unveiled their artistic entries for the 10th annual Triangle Rules poster contest. 
Each fall, students in Lower School participate in a poster contest to illustrate the three rules of the Lower School Behavior Code. Known as the Triangle Rules, they are based on respect, safety, and providing a welcoming environment to all. 

Winners were announced on October 17 during a special assembly. Assistant Headmaster Lara Gajkowski and Head of Lower School John Trout presented the awards.   

This year's winners were:
Madeline Jones, third grade - first place 
Sophia Cirillo, fourth grade - second place
Elisa Haden and Mason Pedroza, third grade - third place
Gray Henegar, fourth grade - fourth place
 
Madeline's winning poster, selected from 38 entries, will be displayed throughout the Lower School. 
 
Twelve students were also recognized at the assembly as honorable mentions in their grade levels. Recipients were first graders Lucas Kurian and Maddie Norman, second graders Karly Davis, Olivia Eyring, and Josey Maldonado, third graders Jason Dickerson, Maya Patel, and Maya Tolia, and fourth graders Paulette Maney, Esther Neerman, Ally Therivel, and Gabby Therivel. 
Jacqui Nickell
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Lakehill's Homecoming celebration brought many former students back to campus. Alumni gathered prior to the game for a dinner in their honor, hosted by Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q®. The Class of 1976 came out in full force for their 40th year reunion.

The Homecoming Court nominees were presented at the game on Friday. The Homecoming Court consisted of freshman Loveth Heard, escorted by Jonah Shaw; sophomore Macy Ellis, escorted by Kumail Imam; and junior Ashley Peacock, escorted by Steven Murff.
 
Senior Nominees for Homecoming Queen were: Kelly Carlson, escorted by Varun Iyer; Claire Crow, escorted by Griffin Burt; Tillie McCoskey, escorted by Dylan Welch; and Abi Price, escorted by Reid Chickering. Tillie McCoskey was crowned Homecoming Queen.
Jacqui Nickell
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Just nine weeks into the school year, the applications are already coming in for next year. To give prospective families an opportunity to spend some time on campus, Lakehill offers a series of informative Admission Previews throughout the fall.

 
The next preview focuses on Middle School and will be held on Wednesday, November 2. "We have had a tremendous response already to this year's Previews and inquiries in general," explained Lisa Bracken, Director of Admission. "It is exciting to watch our Lakehill community grow."

Admission Previews provide an in-depth overview for parents considering a Lakehill education for their children. Guests hear from administrators and teachers, visit classrooms, and tour the school with Student Ambassadors.
 
"Our current families are a wonderful source of information as well," said Bracken. "I am so grateful to everyone who shares their experiences about our school."

Five previews and a Freshman Visit Day for eighth graders are scheduled for the fall, each geared to a specific division:
Kindergarten Previews: October 26 and December 6
Lower School Preview: November 10
Middle School Preview: November 2
Upper School Preview: December 1
Freshman Visit Day: February 3

Kindergarten, Lower, and Middle School programs are held on the main campus at 9:00 a.m. The Upper School Preview will be held on the main campus at 6:30 p.m. 
 
Reservations can be made here.
Jacqui Nickell
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The Lakehill Upper School biology class traveled to Galveston Island recently to dive a little deeper into their studies. 
While in Galveston, students had the chance to visit a turtle research facility, explore a salt marsh to collect fish and invertebrates, and kayak through small channels to identify a variety of native plants and animals. They also collected specimens with a trawl net in the deeper water of the Houston Shipping Channel. 
The class spent time at Brazos Bend State Park where they observed alligators in their natural habitat. Visits to the Houston Museum of Natural History and the George Observatory expanded their knowledge of paleontology and astronomy. "The biology trip was fun, action-packed, and wonderfully exhausting," said junior Steven Murff. "It was an amazing experience that I won't soon forget."
Jacqui Nickell
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Lakehill Preparatory School's talented musical theater students will bring Little Shop of Horrors to the Lakehill stage on Friday, November 11, and Saturday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. A preview of the musical will be performed for students in grades 7-12 on November 11 at 9:00 a.m.
 
Little Shop of Horrors is a sci-fi comedy-horror musical with an electrifying 1960's pop/rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. In this gleefully gruesome musical, Seymour Krelborn, a meek florist's assistant happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names "Audrey II" after his crush and co-worker, Audrey, at the flower shop.
 
Little does he know that this strange and unusual plant will not only bring the little flower shop more revenue, but also develop a soulful R&B voice and an unquenchable thirst for human blood. As Audrey II grows bigger and meaner, the carnivorous plant promises limitless fame and fortune to Seymour, so long as he continues providing a fresh supply of blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's extraterrestrial origins and intent toward world domination. Can Seymour foil the plant's evil plans?
 
"Little Shop of Horrors has been a favorite of mine for a long time," said co-director Mark Guerra. "It is the first musical that I was in as a freshman in high school. I just played a hobo, but it was the greatest experience of my life.
 
"This summer, after looking at the enrollment for our Musical Theater class, Mr. Herron and I decided that we had the perfect group to pull of this 'monster' of a show. We are using a live band for the production and bringing back choreographer Lela Bell. We've rented Broadway-style puppets to round it all out!"
 
While all ages are invited to attend, the musical is recommended for students age ten and older. 
 
Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.lakehillprep.org/arts_theatre.html
Jacqui Nickell
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Lakehill Preparatory School's 18th Annual Trek for Tech will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016.  

The one-mile Fun Run and registered 5K chip-timed race begin and end at Lakehill's Main Campus at 2720 Hillside Drive, with the course winding through the school's Lakewood neighborhood.

The Fun Run will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K at 8:30 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow the races at 9:30 a.m. Awards will be presented to the overall male and female finishers and the top three male and female finishers in the following age groups: 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-19, and recognition to the first place male and female for the following age groups: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+. Everyone who finishes the one-mile Fun Run will receive a medal.

The race is also open to the public. Online registration is available at https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=124843 until noon on November 4. Registration is $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the race. Race day registration closes at 8:00 a.m. All proceeds are used for technology enhancements for the school.