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Jacqui Nickell
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Jhoana Cayme-Mosley, athletic coordinator and physical education teacher, has been appointed as Athletic Director for Lakehill Preparatory School beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Coach Cayme-Mosley has been coaching at Lakehill since 2007 and in 2009 she joined the faculty full time as a teacher and coach. 
 
“It is my honor and privilege to name Jhoana Athletic Director of Lakehill,” said outgoing Athletic Director Bob Yttredahl. “Since joining the Warrior family fifteen years ago, she has been a huge asset to our campus.”
 
Bob Yttredahl is going into his 16th year at Lakehill and will continue to focus on his role as Head of Upper School. Mr. Yttredahl will stay connected with athletics this school year to help guide Jhoana through this transition.
 
“I am so excited to serve the students of Lakehill in a different capacity and I feel honored to lead a department of coaches that have such passion for their sport,” said Coach Cayme-Mosley. “It is an exciting time for Warrior Athletics and it is going to be a great year!”
Jacqui Nickell
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So excited was 2017 Lakehill alumnus Claire Crow that she bolted from her room and raced across campus to tell her mentors the great news: she had been one of only three out of over 550 applicants accepted to the PhD in English program at Yale University. Not finding her Medieval Studies mentor Stephanie Batkie in her office, she rushed without knocking into the office of her Victorian Studies mentor Maha Jafri and exclaimed, “I got in!” She and Dr. Jafri began literally jumping up and down for joy, and it was only when they hugged that Dr. Jafri realized she hadn’t had time to put on her mask. 
 
The year of Covid has been quite the journey for the Lakehill graduate. It began at the University of Oxford, where Claire was embarking on her studies as a fellow of Keble College, having been selected to attend through the Middlebury-CRMS Oxford Humanities program. Claire was forewarned not to yield early to the temptation to take trips across the Channel to other European countries, as she might fall behind in her studies. So Claire buckled down and worked hard with her tutors, studying Women and Literature and Medieval Philosophy, until March 10th, when she was informed she would have to return to the United States because of the pandemic. Claire was forced, like so many of us this past year, to work long-distance, but she powered through and completed her Oxford studies with distinction. Her Women and Literature tutor, Hannah Ryley, encouraged Claire to explore treatments of race and proto colonialism as well as women in medieval literature, and from this Claire found the subject she will explore at Yale. Because she so clearly defined her passion to its English department, Yale also appointed her to represent the English department in its Center for Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Studies, wherein she will be able to fund research projects and campus visits from distinguished scholars from around the world.
 
Claire never got to go to the European cities she really wanted to visit while in England, but her devotion to her passion has her poised to become a top scholar in her field. Being one, she will surely be able to travel the world when it opens again. Claire encourages Lakehill students to be fearless: "Do not allow hard work to scare you and never be afraid to seek the help you need." With mentors stretching from Dallas to Tennessee to England, Claire is proof that such an approach can take you wherever you want to go.
 
written by: Tim Hagood, Lakehill Upper School English Teacher
Jacqui Nickell
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Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics), Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish), Société Honoraire de Français (French), Rho Kappa (Social Studies), Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society, and National Junior Honor Society, Lakehill's student honor societies, held their induction ceremonies on April 24, in Lakehill's Charles Wyly Auditorium. These groups welcomed 60 inductees into their illustrious ranks. The ceremony was led by faculty members Bradley Neyland, Mitch Musselman, Michael Jones, Joan Mayo, Kristin Rutherford, and Justin Solonick along with administration members Ms. Patti Frullo and Mr. Roger L Perry.
 
Membership in Mu Alpha Theta at Lakehill is reserved for juniors and seniors who have maintained a 3.5 average or better in all math classes. Spanish and French honorees must complete at least three years of the language and maintain an average of 3.5 or higher. Rho Kappa honorees must have completed four semesters of Social Studies, maintain a 3.5 overall G.P.A. and a 3.5 in all high school Social Studies classes. 
 
Membership in the Science National Honor Society is awarded to juniors and seniors who have maintained a 3.5 in all coursework, have taken or are enrolled in at least one Honors or AP Science class (juniors) or one Honors course and one AP course or two AP courses (seniors), and maintain a 3.5 average in all science courses. Members of these highly regarded organizations wear honor cords at graduation. 
 
Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics) honorees were Sumner Born, James Freeman, Sophia Ganson, Megan Gillman, Zak Goldstein, Page Howland, Jaden Lambert, William Leake, Harrison Linder, Max Link, Cullen McCaleb, Spencer Neill, Leo Paparoni, Blake Perry, Sydney Rutherford, Abby Saldivar, Georgina Stephens, Laurel Way, Raymond Xiao, and Hayden Yoss.
 
This year's Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica inductees were Cade Armstrong, Emerson Danamraj, Sophia Ganson, Nathan Lewis, Matthew McCall, Ender Trout, and Raymond Xiao.
 
Rho Kappa (Social Studies) inductees were Maya Ariss, Josh Aron, Ashton Abbott-Sharifi, Sumner Born, Landon Burt, Mitchell Crow, Madison Deason, James Freeman, Megan Gillman, Will Gorman, 
Harrison Linder, Cullen McCaleb, Spencer Neill, Leo Paparoni, Blake Perry, Sydney Rutherford, Abby Saldivar, Johnny Tiernan, Graysen Walker, Laurel Way, Brooklyn Williams, and Luke WIlliams.
 
The Science National Honor Society inductees were Sumner Born, Megan Gillman, Page Howland, Cullen McCaleb, Spencer Neill, Leo Paparoni, Blake Perry, Sydney Rutherford, Georgina Stephens, and Laurel Way.
 
Société Honoraire de Français (French) inductees were Asher Chamoy, Keegan Clendenin, William Leake, Kathryn Mahan, Sarah Smith, and Georgina Stephens.
 
The National Junior Honor Society inductees were Emma Bassman, Clio Byrd, Rowan Clendenin, Max Crist, Emily Deason, Cece Degeyter, Jason Dickerson, Delilah Dinaburg, Taylor Donahue, Elisa Haden, Gray Henegar, Ian Johnston, Madeline Jones, Leonie Khan, Andrew Knipp, Noah Kurian, Miyu Nagamo, Evan-Claire New, Mason Pedroza, Grafton Robinson, Saul Rosen, Sierra Salazar, Luke Widhalm, and RJ Yttredahl.
 
National Honor Society inductees were Ashton Abbott-Sharifi, Maya Ariss, Millie Castoldi, Mitchell Crow, Madison Deason, Anna Knickel, Ellis Meyer, Avery Owen, Hannah Reister, Katie Rich, Kayla Ristianto, Samuel Rosen, Kat Seale, Ma’Ki Shaw, and Hayden Yoss.
Jacqui Nickell
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The Warriors fell 5-6 in a thriller Monday night against First Baptist Academy. The Warriors were led in hitting by Kegan Thompson who went 2-2 with a run scored. Austin Sanders had 2 hits and a run scored, while Drew Perry who had an RBI, a run, and stole 3 bases. Austin Rutherford also contributed with a hit in his only at bat.
Defensively the Warriors had a good showing on the mound from Austin Sanders, Dig Curtis, and Drew Perry.
 
The Warriors finish their season with a 3-2 record and showed amazing signs of improvement. Every athlete who took on the challenge of playing baseball this season improved.
"The improvement this team made throughout the season was incredible to watch. These athletes always had a positive attitude, worked hard, and fought until the very end," said Coach Neyland. "Special shout out to Joel Sanders for volunteering as an assistant coach, Dan Curtis for taking photos, Melody Curtis for working the score board, Barbara Sanders for keeping stats, and Lydia Perry for organizing the snacks and drinks. There are so many others who helped and supported the team in every way. Thanks to all of you!"
Jacqui Nickell
The Middle School softball team lost 12-11 at McKinney Christian Academy(MCA) on Monday in a game that saw several lead changes. Lakehill jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning as Madeline Jones doubled in Addie Tuttle to take a 1-0 lead.
 
MCA tied the score 1-1 in the bottom of the first as the first batter got on base. Pitcher Katie Crum got the next batter to pop it up and the third batter grounded out to Sierra Salazar at second base. The 4th batter knocked in the run and the final out was recorded by Madeline at shortstop. 
Lakehill got their bats going in the top of the second inning scoring 5 runs to take a 6-1 lead on hits by Leonie Kahn, Elisa Haden, Allison Majors, Clio Byrd and Elise Wilson. Katie and Delilah Dinaburg scored runs after walking and Brityn Shaw got an RBI. 
 
MCA responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second to tighten the score 6-5. The first batter reached base and Katie struck out the second batter. The third popped out to Leonie in right field. The next few MCA batters were able to string some hits together to score 4 runs before Katie forced a hitter to pop out to her ending the inning. 
Lakehill added two runs in the top of the third to stretch the lead to 8-5. Addie walked on base and Maddie hit another double to score her. Harper Kuhn followed up with a single and Katie scored them both with a double later in the inning.
 
MCA scored one run in the bottom of the third inning to make the score 8-6. They got a double from their cleanup hitter and she was able to score as Katie fielded ground balls from the next 2 batters for outs. Addie threw out the last batter in the inning as she tried to advance to first base on a dropped 3rd strike. 
 
The Lakehill bats cooled in the top of the fourth inning as they were unable to capitalize on singles by Elisa and Allison.
 
In the bottom of the 4th MCA went on a big rally getting multiple hits and scoring five runs to take the lead 11-8.
 
Lakehill answered with a rally of their own scoring three runs in the top of the 5th inning to tie the game 11-11. The scoring got started with singles by Sierra, Addie, Harper and Leonie. MCA played well defensively to force the last 2 outs at home and prevent Lakehill from extending its lead.
With MCA needing only one run to win the game, Katie recorded two outs on a pop up and a ground out back to her. The next two batters were able to reach base and the next batter singled to right field to score a run and secure the 12-11 win. 
 
Katie had a great game on the mound pitching the entire game. She recorded 6 outs in the field and going 2-2 at the plate with a double, a single, and a walk. Madeline went 2-3 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI's. Addie went 2-2 with a walk. Harper went 2-3. Elisa went 2-3. Allison went 2-2. Elise had a single and 2 RBI.
 
"The team did a fantastic job of getting hits, playing defensively, and they showed a lot of resilience," said Head Coach Daniel Bracken. "The girls have really come together as a team."
 
That ends the Middle School softball schedule for the 2021 season. Congratulations to Coach Jones, Coach Bracken, and the student athletes.
Jacqui Nickell
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The Middle School softball team overcame a 6-2 deficit in the final inning to defeat Calvary Christian 7-6 and improve to 1-1 on the season.  After giving up a double in the first inning, pitcher Katie Crum settled in to record a strike out and an assist on a grounder for the first two outs of the inning. The next Calvary batter hit a grounder to Madeline Jones at short stop who fired it to Harper Khun at first base for the last out of the inning.
 
Catcher Addie Tuttle singled in the bottom of the first followed by a double by Harper that sent Addie to third. Emma Bassman followed that up with a walk which loaded the bases for Leonie Khan. Leonie singled up the middle which scored Addie to tie the game. The Calvary pitcher walked another run in and sent Lakehill into the second inning leading 2-1.
 
Lakehill had a rough start to the second inning allowing 2 hits and 2 walks, but the defense settled in capped by Harper fielding a grounder and beating the Calvary runner to 2nd base for the 3rd out, but falling behind on the scoreboard 4-2.
 
Calvary stretched their lead to 6-2 in the top of the third inning, but that was all they would get. Lakehill had a terrific defensive sequence as Madeline fielded a ground ball at second base and threw the runner out at first.  The throwback to the mound went past the pitcher, but the overthrow was fielded by Emma who fired the ball to catcher Allison Majors who tagged the runner attempting to score from third base out at home.
 
In their final at bat, Lakehill hitters showed great patience drawing two walks to put runners on first and second base. Madeline then lined a triple to right-center field that plated both base runners. Harper followed up with a single that scored Madeline to tighten the game at 6-5. Lakehill pushed across another run to tie the game 6-6 when Katie hit a walk-off single to score Emma and seal the 7-6 victory for Lakehill.
 
Katie and Elisa did a great job pitching and the Lakehill bats came alive at the right time. 
 
The Middle School team closes the season with a home and home series against McKinney Christian.  They play at McKinney Christian Tuesday, April 20th at 5 pm followed by a home game on Thursday, April 22nd at 5 pm.
Jacqui Nickell
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The varsity tennis team completed their season last week at the TAPPS State Tennis Tournament. Three student athletes, Hayden Yoss, Cade Armstrong, and Douglas McKenzie qualified for the tournament during district play.
 
Douglas McKenzie and Cade Armstrong advanced in boys doubles. With a first round bye, the duo found themselves matched up against a tough opponent right out of the gate. Cade and Douglas fought hard but came up just short of advancing to the next round. Congratulations to Cade and Douglas on a fantastic tennis season.
 
Hayden Yoss dominated her opponents at district to advance to the state tournament. She came out strong and won her first match advancing her to the second round. Matched up against a tough opponent, Hayden lost a tough tie-breaker at the end of set one. The second set was yet again evenly matched. Her opponent took off and Hayden slipped away to fall in her second match.
 
“Hayden left everything on the court and is a better player after competing at state,” said Head Coach Darvin McBrayer. “Lakehill was represented well and I am so proud of how these three student athletes competed.”
 
Congratulations to Hayden, Douglas, and Cade!
Jacqui Nickell
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Keegan Clendenin has been involved with Scouts since the age of eight and always dreamed of getting his Eagle Badge, the highest achievement attainable in Scouts. In order to receive the Eagle Badge, each Scout member must communicate with an organization to help build or remodel a project for them. Once the Scout finishes the project, they write a report and present it to the troop.
 
When Keegan was considering his Eagle project, he connected with Teresa Smith who owns Living the Doxie Dream in Royse City. He then visited their recently rebuilt pet sanctuary that his mother had conducted a fundraiser for. “When I visited, I noticed that they had a building, but nothing to put inside the building,” Keegan said. “There were just fences for the dogs to stay in and blankets for them to sleep on.” It was then that Keegan decided he would build dog beds for the facility. “I wanted to create something that could be used for years to come. Something substantial!”
 
For the project, Keegan began with a fundraiser where he shot a video with a green screen and then shared his project. Raising over $1,400, Keegan was able to purchase all the supplies needed. Building the dog beds took place over two weeks. “I spent about twelve hours one weekend measuring, cutting, sanding, and drilling. There was a lot of prep work before the building even started.” The following weekend, Keegan’s current troop and ten other volunteers helped him. In all, Keegan and his volunteers assembled, sanded, stained, and finished 15 beds that are 2.5 ft by 2.5 ft. “All the stains and finishes were natural and nontoxic in case any animals chewed on the wood.” 
 
On March 7, Keegan delivered the 15 dog beds to Living the Doxie Dream and he met with his unit leader that afternoon. The completion of his Eagle project was approved! The board then confirmed all requirements were met on Tuesday, March 23 and he is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Eagle Scout Badge. 
 
Congratulations, Keegan!
Jacqui Nickell
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Lakehill senior Matthew McCall earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2019, only 4,879 out of nearly 1.8 million students, or fewer than half of one percent (.5 percent), who took the ACT earned the top composite score of 36. The final numbers from the 2020 testing cycle have not been reported because of later testing due to the pandemic.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. Matthew is the second Lakehill student in the last year to score the highest possible ACT composite score, following Preston Bied (‘20). The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam that measures what students have learned in school. Students who earn a 36 composite score have likely mastered all of the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in first-year college courses in the core subject areas.

“I completed several practice exams in preparation,” said Matthew. “I knew I was capable of scoring a 36 and was pretty excited to share the news with my family.”

In a time when there was much uncertainty and fluctuation surrounding test policies for universities across the country, Matthew persisted with his academics and test preparation in order to be an excellent candidate for the college of his choice.

Jacqui Nickell
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On Saturday, March 6th the Lakehill Bionicles Robotics team competed virtually in their first qualifying match of the year, hosted by Aledo High School. The day was spent completing the judged portion of the competition. The team submitted a fifteen-page Engineering Portfolio that contains an overview of their design process. They also gave a five-minute presentation to judges and completed a question and answer session. In the afternoon, several groups of judges “stopped by” the team’s breakout room to ask further questions about the development and design of the robot. The following Thursday, the team completed their six game matches which were submitted live via a cloud-based scoring system. The team did extremely well in their matches, with a high score of 94.
 
On Monday, March 15th the results of the week’s competition were released. The team made a strong showing in the scored portion of the competition, placing 6th out of the twenty teams that registered. The team also placed in three different awards. Vhisola’s dragon design impressed the judges and the Bionicles got 2nd place in the Design Award. The Design Award “recognizes design elements of the robot that are both functional and aesthetic. It is presented to teams that incorporate industrial design elements into their solution. The design could simplify the robot’s appearance by giving it a clean look, be decorative in nature, or otherwise express the creativity of the team. The robot should be durable, efficiently designed, and effectively address the game challenge.” The team also placed 2nd in the Think Award, which “is given to the team that best reflects the journey the team took as they experienced the engineering design process during the build season. The Engineering Portfolio should include descriptions of the underlying science and mathematics of the robot design and game strategies, the designs, redesigns, successes, and opportunities for improvement.”
 
As a result of placing or being considered for multiple awards, the Lakehill Bionicles won 1st place in the coveted Inspire Award. The winner of the Inspire Award gets the first advancement spot to the North Texas Regional Championship. The Inspire Award is given to the team that “best embodies the ‘challenge’ of the FIRST Tech Challenge program. The team that receives this award is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs and a role model FIRST team. This team is a top contender for many other judged awards and is a gracious competitor. Working as a unit, this team will have shown success in performing the task of designing and building a robot.” 
 
The Lakehill Bionicles will have one more Qualifying event before they compete in the North Texas Regional Championship in late May. Video of the Aledo competition Closing Ceremony can be viewed below.
 
Congratulations Lakehill Bionicles!