Unraveling a Mystery with Author Leslie Margolis   2/22/12...Grade IV and V students were treated to a special presentation by award-winning author Leslie Margolis on Feb. 15. Ms. Margolis is the author of the popular Annabelle Unleashed series and the Maggie Brooklyn Mystery series.  The author took the girls through the process of writing an original mystery.  The girls enthusiastically responded with thoughts and suggestions for characters, crimes, clues, cliffhangers and solutions.   Grade IV student Amber said, "The author really helped me because I'm writing a book.  She helped me with tips for finding ideas and for getting over writer's block."   Children's Book World provided us with the opportunity to pre-purchase Ms. Margolis' books and the author kindly signed copies for the girls.

Banner Day: Welcoming the Upper School's 'Greenest' Members          2/16/12...Sporting green headbands, necklaces and matching face paint, Baldwin’s Grade IX girls celebrated their induction to the Upper School on Monday, with whoops and cheers and the unveiling of their class banner. Gathered together with Baldwin’s upperclassmen in the Assembly Room, the girls listened to speeches from each of the Upper Class presidents and from the Director of the Upper School, Eric Benke, who extended a warm welcome to its ‘greenest’ members. Senior class president, Julia Dewey, spoke about the 15 things the Class of 2015 would slowly discover as they became acclimated to the Upper School, including the fact that in an all-girls school, the use of food and boys was always a reliable bargaining chip. Eric Benke spoke about the color green – the Grade IX class color – and explored its many meanings. In its most natural context, the color green is representative of growth and renewal. In a more figurative sense, green represents luck and good fortune, being both the color of four-leafed clovers and money.    The Grade IX girls brought the Banner Day assembly to a close by revealing the jungle-themed class banner. The banner was then hung on one of the Assembly Room walls, serving as a reminder of yet another successful year underway and celebrating one of Baldwin’s most cherished, time-honored traditions.       Click here to read junior class president Sophia Tareen's poem to the Class of Green!

Varsity Squash Retains MASA Champions Title 2/13/2012. . . The Varsity Squash Team won the MASA (Mid-Atlantic Squash Association) Tournament, held at Episcopal Academy, beating the host team, EA, 9-0 in the final. This was after the team won their semi-final match 9-0 over Lawrenceville.   The Bears are now the two-time defending MASA Champions and the three-time defending InterAc Champs. Thus concludes the scholastic squash season.   "This team far exceeded everyone's expectations and everyone on the team improved and raised the level of their game. That is what made it such a satisfying experience as a coach", said Associate Head Coach, Bruce Kelly.

Take a Walk in Their Shoes: Students Fight Malaria 2/13/12...Baldwin sophomores Aileen Curley and Alice Douglas have teamed up with United States Liability Insurance Group and Nothing But Nets to fight malaria, one step at a time.   The students strapped on sneakers and pedometers on Feb. 6, and by the campaign's end on April 24 aim to take 1 million steps. Sponsors can provide a flat donation, or pledge a particular number of cents or dollars per mile.   "This is a simple way to raise awareness about a preventable disease," explains Aileen.  "You can change a family's life just by walking the dog, taking the long way to class or working out."   Malaria kills 600,000 people each year - mostly children under the age of 5. Just $10 is enough to protect a family of four with a bed net and reduce malaria transmissions by 90%.   If you'd like to become involved as a participant or a sponsor, contact Baldwin's community service coordinator Jeremiah Shepherd at JShepherd@baldwinschool.org.

MS B Basketball Tops GFS and Finishes with Winning Season 2/10/2012. . The MS B Basketball team finished its season with a convincing 21-7 win over Germantown Friends School. The squash finished the season with an impressive 8-4 record. “The highlight of the game was that we had 3 girls who had not scored all season and we created opportunities for them and they all scored during the game,” shared Coach Pitocchelli. “The team had a great season and worked very well together. I am so proud of all the girls this year! Thanks for a great season. Go Bears!”

Key to Success                           Lauren Cooper and Randi Brown with US English teacher Diane Senior    2/10/12...Winners of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were announced on Friday, February 3. All five of Baldwin’s Upper School student contributors – Hannah Bao '13, Randi Brown ’12, Emily Clark ’14, Lauren Cooper ’12, and Sophia Tareen ’13, received Gold and Silver Key awards for select works, carrying on the legacy of visual and literary giants like Joyce Carol Oates and Robert Redford.  Emily Clark nabbed a Gold Key award – a distinction bestowed upon only 5% of regional submissions – for her Poetry Portfolio, and a Silver Key award for a short fiction entry entitled, A Testimony of an Arsonist. Lauren Cooper won a Gold Key award and an American Voices Nomination – considered Best in Category for the region and top 5 nationally – for her Poetry Portfolio. In addition, she received the Silver Key award for a personal essay/memoir entitled Solo, and an Honorable Mention for a Flash Fiction submission entitled Hope. Hannah Bao snagged a Gold Key award for a painting she submitted entitled Pray for Peace. Randi Brown won a Silver Key award for a collection of poems, while Sophia Tareen was awarded a Silver Key for a telling photograph she snapped of a young boy while traveling abroad in Brazil. As Gold Key award winners, Clark and Copper will move on to the national judging later this month in New York City, where their works will be reviewed by a panel of internationally renowned writers. An awards ceremony will be held at the University of the Arts on Saturday, April 14 to honor all Gold Key recipients, followed by a reception to showcase their tremendous creative achievements.  Click here to check out student submissions in our blog!

Members of Crew Team Shine at Main Line Slide 2/9/2012. . . Twelve members of the Baldwin Crew Team participated in the annual Main Line Side held at Villanova University’s Jack Nevin Fieldhouse on February 4th. Highlights include freshman Sarah Douglas’ sixth place finish (of 40) in the freshman event. Junior Jasmine Schlichting finished 7th in the varsity lightweight event. Every Baldwin athlete reached their goal or better.   "The race was a huge success and a great way to end our winter training,” stated new Novice Coach, Taylor Jordan. “Baldwin had a formidable presence at the race, as it was the school with the most participants competing. The work we completed this winter, along with the results from the Slide, will get these girls moving smoothly into spring competition."

MS B Basketball Beats Montgomery School The MS B Basketball Team beat the Montgomery School 20-6. The game was hosted by Montgomery.   Coach Elsie Pitocchelli shared some thoughts on the game: "They girls dominated on offense and scored 8 points in the 1st quarter. They also worked hard on defense. It was a great game for the girls who don’t get as much playing time in other games; they did an outstanding job and got a great chance to show their talent. I am proud of all these girls and how they work well with all their teammates. I will be sorry to see this season end."

MS A Basketball Posts Convincing Win over Montgomery School 2/8/2012. . . The MS A Basketball team recently defeated Montgomery School by a large margin. The Bears were led by Sophie Hogg and Ellie Greenberg with eleven points apiece. Courtney Ray Loomis added six. Izzy Schaeffer contributed several spectacular assists and Hayden Ivey again dominated the boards and blocked five shots.    Baldwin led at the half and held their opponent to 0 in the third quarter to propel the Bears to the convincing victory. photo: Ellie Greenberg drives to the net.

Congratulations Senior Swimmers! 2/8/2012. . . The Varsity Swim Team; Varsity Swim Coach, Dave Hart; and parents honored their seniors on February 2 during a break at the Moorestwon Friends School meet, hosted by Baldwin. The seniors were adorned with flowers, food, an well wishes from all!   The 14 seniors comprise the largest senior class in recent Baldwin history and include: Elizabeth Asch, Amanda Buck, Lauren Cooper, Julia Dewey, Alexandra Dias-Lalcaca, Kiri Dugan (manager), Jessica Gubanich (manager), Megan Handal (tri-captain), Kaitlyn Hobson, Randa Melhem, Madison Noteware (tri-captain), Leah Silverman, Michaela Shuchman (manager) and Amanda Ter Doest (tri-captain). More than half of the seniors have been four-year varsity swimmers.   Coach Dave Hart, Baldwin Aquatics Director, was surprised by the team honoring him as well in celebration of his fourth year (senior year) with the team and program.     Photos: Seniors with their flowers and later, taking their final plunge together.

MS Swim Team Posts Winning Record 2/8/2012. . . The MS Swim Team rounded out their regular season with a win over visiting Northley Middle School. The win brought the team’s overall record to 8-4; several of the team’s victories were against co-ed schools. The Bears went 3-2 in InterAc meets beating Agnes Irwin twice and the Academy of Notre Dame. “The 2011-2012 Baldwin middle school swim team is having an exceptional year. The team is evolving and is just now realizing the extent of their full potential,” shared Coach Byrne. “There have been standout performances in every grade and the future of the middle school team and the overall Baldwin Aquatics program, as a whole, is bright indeed.” Comprised of 30 students in grades 6 through 8, Byrne added, “We’ve developed into one of the deepest and most diversified teams in the InterAc.” The team will compete in the MS InterAc Swimming Champs on February 15, hosted by Baldwin.

Annual Shakespeare Competition 2/7/12...On Monday, February 6 five Upper School students performed monologues as a part of the English-Speaking Union of the United States' Shakespeare Competition.  Participants in yesterday's school competition included: Rachel Coler '14 Julia Hopkins '14 (runner-up) Charlotte Morris '13 Michaela Shuchman '12 (winner) Arden Simone '13 Winners of area school competitions, including Michaela Schuchman, will participate in the Philadelphia Branch contest on Monday, February 20 at the Arden Theater. The top three branch winners will receive monetary scholarships, and the first place winner will then be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the National Competition at the Lincoln Center in April.     Students are judged on their understanding of the text, the effectiveness of their delivery, and their artistic skill in expressing the spoken word. Over the years, Baldwin has sent many students to the Branch competition, with two girls going on to the National Competition in New York.   Pictured: School competition winner Michaela Shuchman '12.

Varsity Diving Sends Three to InterAc Champs 2/7/2012. . . The Varsity Diving Team sent three divers to the InterAc Diving Championship, held at Germantown Academy yesterday. Juniors Becky Graham, Charlotte Solmssen, and Karly Woods were three of 16 athletes from the InterAc to qualify for the championship. Karly Wood was just shy of medaling and placed 7th. "Each of the three divers scored a personal best during the meet and they have their sights set on the Diving Invitational at the Hill School February 18," said Varsity Diving Coach Harry Eichelberger.

Varsity Squash is #3 in the USA 2/6/2012. . . The Varsity Squash team secured their #3 ranking at the US Squash High School National Tournament this past weekend held at Yale University. The team entered the tournament at the #3 seed and finished the weekend 3-1 by beating Taft 6-1 in the 1st round, Germantown Friends School 4-3 in the quarterfinals, losing to Deerfield 6-1 in the semi-finals and then coming back to beat Episcopal Academy 6-1 for the bronze. Baldwin finished the highest ranked team locally.   Baldwin's Varsity Squash Team is comprised of: seniors Marina Crowe (co-captain), Tiffany Hau and Alexa Tzarnas (co-captain); junior Maya Patel; sophomores Selena Maity, Cashel McCarthy and Ryan Morgan; freshman Nicole Deluca, Alexa Horwitz and Rachel Zachian; and 8th graders Olivia Horwitz and Morgan Steelman. They are under the direction of Karen Kronemeyer, Squash Pro and Varsity Head Coach, Bruce Kelly, Associate Coach, and Brooks Russell, Assistant Coach.   The team matched its #3 finish at HS Nationals from last year and improved on their 2010 raking of #4. They will travel to EA for the Mid-Atlantic Squash Association (MASA) tournament this weekend, a tournament they won last year.

Be Mine: Family Gathering Supports Eldernet   2/3/12...Our Family Gathering today was full of sugar and spice and all things nice.  In this service-oriented session, Upper School students led their families in making Valentine's Day cards for ElderNet, a non-profit organization that helps older neighbors remain independent and provides a free services so they have access to health care and an improved quality of life. From ElderNet: We are so excited that you are making Valentine Cards for ElderNet! The clients we serve are elderly. Their close friends and family may not be nearby or may have passed away. A Valentine would send such a warm friendly message – even more, it would bring back memories of Valentine’s Days past: happy times, exchanging valentines with school friends, and, perhaps, a special Valentine –the “Be Mine” kind of Valentine... I know that our volunteers would love to have your valentines to give to the clients that they are helping with grocery shopping, rides to their doctors and friendly visiting. We could share your valentines with others in the senior community we serve: our local Senior and Day Centers and the apartment buildings for the elderly in Ardmore.  Valentines would decorate our Ada Mutch Community Resource Center, welcoming patrons who come for the Food Pantry there, or to visit with a nurse of care manager. We look forward to spreading the spirit of Valentine’s Day kindness and friendship and thank you for making it possible.

Passing of a Legend - Ada Mutch '22 2/2/12...Baldwin's oldest alumna, Ada Mutch ’22, passed away on Friday, January 27 at the age of 106. Ada was a dynamic member of the Baldwin family and will be missed at this year’s reunion, which would have been her 90th.  We’re thankful for all of the memories, including the time our B-Flats spent with Ada in December, making spirits bright by singing holiday songs and Baldwin’s alma mater. From Ada’s position as a U.S. Army nurse during World War II, to her distinguished position as director of nursing at Lankenau Hospital, to her dedicated volunteerism with organizations like Meals on Wheels, Ada touched the lives of many.  She touched our lives, too, and for that we are thankful.  Read more about Ada’s legacy on our blog. A memorial service for Ada will be held on Saturday, February 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.  We invite you to send memories or photos of Ada and the mark she has made on this community to Mary Pat Staats in the Development Office: mstaats@baldwinschool.org or 701 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.

Berwyn Squash's Ladies Player of the Month 2/2/12...Berwyn Squash and Fitness Club has named Selina Maity '14 its Ladies Player of the Month.  From the club's e-newsletter:   Selina has been training as hard as any junior in the country which has obviously been paying off with her two best Junior Championship Tour finishes ever.   Baltimore JCT 2nd Place Philadelphia JCT 3rd Place   She appears to be in great form heading into the end of the season and with nationals coming up soon we wish you the best of luck.   Congratulations, Selena!

Varsity Squash Enters US High School National Tournament as #3 Seed 2/2/2012. . . The Varsity Squash Team hosted the Springside team yesterday and prevailed 9-0. All the girls won their matches 3-0. Baldwin clinched their 3rd consecutive undefeated InterAc League title and finished 10-0 this season, their 2nd consecutive undefeated regular season.   Today, the team heads to the High School National Squash Tournament, held at Yale University, as the #3 seed.   photo: Ryan Morgan, #1 position

MS B Basketball Posts Two More Wins 1/31/2012. . .The MS B Basketball team continues to roll, posting two recent wins versus Springside and Germantown Friends.   "Last year, Springside broke our hearts with a last second 3-pointer at the buzzer. This year, Baldwin dominated and were able to give some girls more playing time than they were used to. The Bears showed good sportsmanship and passed the ball instead of shooting when they were ahead," said Coach Pitocchelli.

Kimberly Rouse '12 Awarded Westminster Choir Scholarship 1/30/12...Following a delightful and energetic District 11 (Montgomery and Bucks Counties) Chorus Concert at Norristown Area High School on Saturday, scholarships to Westminster's Choir College Summer Program were awarded to four members of the 160-voice Chorus - one of which was Baldwin's Kimberly Rouse '12.   Kimberly, who was unable to stand without crutches during the three days of rehearsals, was graciously given the award while seated within the standing chorus. Kimberly will be studying Voice and Choral Conducting under Dr. Amanda Quist, the guest Director of District Chorus this year. The Vocal Institute draws 150 students from across the country and around the world.