St. John’s Episcopal School eighth grader Lauren Bush is winner of USA Network and R&R Partners Foundation Flip the Script “Unite Against Bullying Commercial Challenge,” a nationwide contest for middle and high school students to submit their ideas for a television ad to help stop bullying.

As the contest winner, Bush has participated in the creation of an anti-bullying Public Service Announcement (PSA), which is based on her original video submission. The PSA is airing on USA Network and charactersunite.com. Bush also appeared on a February 21, 2014, TODAY show segment as a guest of Kathie Lee & Hoda.

Bush created her submission in a film elective with St. John’s drama specialist Tom Parr. Says Parr, “A major project in the class was for each student to create an inspirational film. Lauren’s creativity and clear voice exceeded my expectations.”

According to Bush, she selected the bullying topic because she wanted to show that one person can make a difference. Most of her original video is black and white, with only the last scene brightened by color. Bush says, “People are so scared of what others will think about them that they don’t listen to themselves. They blend into the crowd just to fit in. Color shows diversity and that it’s ok to be different.”

St. John’s will use Crusader Live, its daily video broadcast to students and faculty, to share Bush’s work and message with all students. Counselor Jamie Copaken says, “Lauren’s video brings to life exactly what we hope all students at St. John’s will do: to look beneath surface labels, to be brave enough to help when someone is left out, and to build each other up with positive words and actions. Through the video, students of all ages can see how black-and-white bleakness is transformed to full-color feeling of joy and relief thanks to empathy, social awareness and kindness.”

Video Links:

Word Play by Lauren Bush

http://bcove.me/pwrwm8ct

USA Network and Characters Unite Public Service Announcement:

http://www.charactersunite.com/unite-against-bullying/

On a night filled with pomp and circumstance, the St. John’s fifth grade Webelo Scouts participated in a Crossing Over ceremony at Pack 55’s annual Blue & Gold Banquet on February 8.

Surrounded by family, friends and fellow Pack 55 Scouts, the members of Eagle Patrol – Diego Avila, John Michael Birdwell, Judah Powell, Jon-Carlos Jones, Nick Heatly and Matthew Schopmeyer – crossed the ceremonial bridge between Cub and Boy Scouts. On the far side of the bridge, the members of Boy Scout Troop 730 welcomed the newly minted Boy Scouts into their ranks. 

Troop 730 is a St. Mark’s School-based scouting troop with more than 70 members. The troop is a very active unit, participating in a variety of scouting events that include monthly camping trips, the annual Jamboree – Scouting’s largest event, a Caribbean sailing adventure, a winter survival/ski expedition and an upcoming 50-mile trail hike. These and other high-adventure activities were essential in Eagle Patrol’s decision to land at Troop 730. Another factor was the group’s camaraderie, which mirrored the St. John’s boys’ own cohesive nature as members of Eagle Patrol made the mutual decision to all join the same troop – an unusual, but not unheard of, occurrence in scouting.

Webelo Scouts are still part of a Cub Scout pack, but are unique in that they are organized more like a Boy Scout unit and dress in the Boy Scout uniform. A two-year period as Webelos allows the boys to receive advance training and transition into the elder organization. Eagle Patrol was led by St. John’s parents Jerry Birdwell and Jo Jones.

The members of Eagle Patrol were also recognized with several honors and awards before crossing over, including the coveted Arrow of Light awards – the highest honor a Cub Scout can receive.

Submitted by Jerry Birdwell

Eighth grader Adeline Monaghan won the St. John’s Episcopal School Spelling Bee this week. Competing against 23 other Middle School students, Monaghan prevailed after 12 rounds, including a final continuous round against the second-place finisher, sixth grader Cooper Herndon. Spelling two consecutive words correctly to win the final round, Monaghan ended the bee with the word, “apprehend.”

Monaghan, with Herndon as her alternate, will compete in the Dallas County Private School Bee in March 2014. The top five finishers in the St. John’s bee were Monaghan, Herndon, Elise Welch (seventh grade), Henry Adams (fifth grade) and Claire Bailey (fifth grade).  

Members of Girl Scout Troop #3109 successfully completed the last requirement for their Bronze Award, which is the highest award in the Girl Scout Junior Program. They raised nearly $800 in pledges through a Bike-a-Thon that included a nine-mile lap around White Rock Lake. Afterward, the Scouts used the funds to purchase a sturdy, new bike rack for St. John’s Episcopal School. To earn the Bronze Award, the Scouts identified a need, created a solution, planned and held the bike-a-thon, and donated the proceeds to the school.

Members of Troop #3109 are Anna Savant, Annie Zajicek, Liana Gobush, Jessie Kraemer, Claire Hensarling, Anna Sjouken, Ollantay Avila, Sunny Courtwright, Lucy Hamilton, Jane Hamilton, Caroline Arnette, Annie Stewart, Alex Arnette, Cambridge Bender, Emma Hunt, Madeline Francis. The troop is led by Jeannie Courtwright and Claudia Arnette.