Lights, Camera, Action: It's Cappies Time       Charlotte Morris '13 and Julia Tyminski '13. Photos courtesy of Christian Hopkins. 4/30/12...It's time to shine for two actresses from Baldwin's Little Women: The Musical. Charlotte Morris '13 received a Cappies nomination for female vocalist, while Julia Tyminski '13 was nominated as supporting actress in a musical. Each girl is one of six nominees in her category, and will be critiqued by a panel of journalism students during the Seventh Annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala on May 6 . Click here for a list of all local schools and performers recognized, or read the official press release from Upper Darby Performing Arts Center below. Dreams of Broadway’s Tony Awards will come alive as actors, musicians, writers, and technicians clad in evening gowns and tuxedos stroll down the red carpet to receive their golden trophies in the annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala. Like the Tony or Academy Awards, The Cappies honor excellence in high school theater at the Cappies Gala, the region’s preeminent event recognizing student accomplishments in theater. On May 6, 2012, beginning at 5:30 pm, the Seventh Annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala will be held at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA. Thirty-four high schools in the Philadelphia region participate in the program. High school journalism students, known as Cappies critics, write reviews of the schools’ shows throughout the year and compete to have their reviews selected for publication in The Philadelphia Inquirer and many other local newspapers. The critics then vote for the award winners, which are entirely determined by student choices. The awards are presented in categories ranging from lighting, sound, set, and costume design, to comic actor, dancer, vocalist, and lead actor, to the coveted Play and Musical awards.   A limited number of tickets for the Seventh Annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala are available for $12 at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center’s box office, located at 601 North Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill and can be reached at (610) 622-1189.   The Cappies program was founded in Washington, D.C. 13 years ago and is now active in 18 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The Greater Philadelphia region is the second largest, with 33 schools performing new musicals such as Urinetown, Hairspray and Legally Blonde, classic hits such as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Beauty and the Beast, and plays new and old such as Twelve Angry Jurors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Running in the Red.   The Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala will begin with a musical number performed by representatives from each of the schools in the program. Throughout the evening, 16 schools nominated for Best Song, Best Play, and Best Musical will perform selections from their shows. More than 250 nominated students will receive medallions, and 42 trophies will be presented to the Cappie winners. Superintendents, principals and board members from participating schools, as well as theater professionals and members of the press, will serve as special guest presenters.

Baldwin Hosts Main Line Poetry Night   Student peers ready to offer advice and support.   4/30/12...High school students from area schools gathered Thursday evening in the Anne Frank Library to write and discuss their poetry. Led by Baldwin’s Creative Writing Club, students were offered writing prompts, homemade desserts and coffee and tea, and time to think and work in the company of other writers. Much laughter, some poignant criticism, a lot of clever phrasing accompanied this first annual coffee house style event.

A Groovy Family Gathering          A Baldwin family, the 'Sassy Sisters', gather together before the all-school assembly.   4/26/12...Our 2011-2012 Family Gatherings ended with a bang today to the rhythm of Alex Shaw and an energetic ensemble. Some of the performers also are a part of Alo Brasil, a music and dance group.   Alex and his charismatic group led the school in an interactive performance/workshop, featuring an introduction to music and movement of West African Drum & Dance and Capoeira Angola (Afro-Brazilian Martial Art/Dance). Throughout the program, students were engaged in traditional song, rhythms and movement sequences characteristic of the cultural art form being presented.   Students learned how to communicate emotion through dance, as the group explained the meanings behind certain gestures and body movements. A ‘palms up’ gesture signifies honesty in the individual, while a movement that begins as a crouch is representative of the relationship one has with the earth and with their ancestors. Alex and his ensemble then showed the students how to combine these strong gestures and movements with music in order to create a performance that is both powerful and evocative.         Click here to view videos from the event on our YouTube channel, or check out pictures in our Media Gallery.       Jeannine Osayande of Alex Shaw's ensemble leads an interactive music and movement workshop.

Baldwin's Artists 4/24/12...Arts Day on March 16 culminated with a banquet run by the Arts League, in recognition of our talented visual and performing arts students. Awards were given based not only on talent, but on the student's commitment to and vision for the arts. Here are the results:   Visual Arts Jewelry - Heather Brown '14, Jean Collins '14, Taylor Flowers '13 Ceramics - Julia Fournier' 13, Nellie Shields '14, Kennedy Johnson '14, Niyah Dantzler '14, Taylor Nickens '13 Sculpture - Niyah Dantzler '14 Digital Photo - Ryan Morgan '14 3D outstanding achievement - Olivia Hogg '12 Art I - Alexa Horwitz '15 Art I - Ali Thaler '15 New Painter Award - Daria Harlamova '14 Seasoned Painter Award - Natalie Webb '12 Art History Enthusiast Award - Maddie Noteware '12 Photography – Sophia Tareen '13 Music Chorus/B-Flats– Randi Brown '12, Emma DiFrancesco '12, Randa Melhem '12, Kim Rouse '12, Elena Saltzman '12, Amanda Ter Doest '12 Senior in District Chorus – Kim Rouse '12 Eliza-B-thans – Rachel Coler '14 “Priscilla” Award - Jasmine Schlichting '13 (Belles), Jamie Schwartz '14 (Bronze) Firenze – Tarlan Daryoush '13 Jazz – Hallie Roseman '12 Ensemble – Amalia Bowen '13, Hannah Bao '13 Theater Kim Rouse '12 Michaela Shuchman '12 Arts Achievement - Kim Rouse '12 Smock - Tiffany Hau '12 Arts Service Award – Kiri Dugan '12, Randa Melhem '12

The Results Are In: Upper School Elections 4/23/12...Congratulations to the girls listed below, who will be representing these four Upper School groups next year.   Rising Senior Class Senate Taylor Nickens Jaslyn McIntosh Charlotte Solmssen Chelsea Kaiser Service League Mecca Pelzer Tiana Mason Jasmine Schlichting Karissa Wenk Athletic Association Arden Simone Julz Vaccaro Karly Wood Fiona McCanney Arts League Charlotte Matthai Hannah Bao Savanna Stanton-Ameisen Charlotte Morris Rising Junior Class Senate Katie Edwards Selena Maity Tristen Thompson Service League Haley Weiss Musu Taylor Niyah Dantzler Athletic Association Maddie Pujadas Nellie Shields Cashel McCarthy Arts League Julia Hopkins Mary Morris Saleka Shyamalan Rising Sophomore Class Senate Vanessa Auritt Nicole Baker Service League Sarah Douglas Sarah Durlofsky Athletic Association Krista Hinchman Ali Thaler Arts League Amber Dugan Kiana Porter

Dramatizing Baldwin 4/20/12...It’s that time of year again, and the Middle School drama class’s busiest bees are gearing up for the annual Children’s Theater Production that will be performed for the Lower School on Friday, April 27.     Though the production has traditionally come in the form of a play – with Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit having been performed over the previous two years, the Grade VII and VIII girls decided to set the stage this spring with a show that’s a little more unconventional. The students involved in the production are currently in the midst of writing a sequence of original scenes, in addition to creating dramatized versions of Aesop’s fables and Shel Silverstein stories that will be performed as short monologues and skits on show day.  The drama students will also design and create their own costumes for each scene.   Click here to get the details on this inventive production and to find about Baldwin's participation in the upcoming Play Slam with Episcopal Academy and Villa Maria Academy.

A Tribute to a Baldwin Science Legend 4/19/12...Retired Baldwin science teacher Elizabeth Chesick has been awarded the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) 2012 Distinguished Service Citation.  A former Baldwin parent and trustee, Elizabeth taught at Baldwin for 42 years and is still making significant contributions to her field of study. Dr. Dorfman, Middle School and AP biology teacher, says this about "Mrs. Cheese:" R. A. Heinlein said, “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” Elizabeth Chesick is a supreme generalist – a jack-of-all-trades –Science Department Chair, Presidential award winning physics teacher, advisor to Mock Trial, maven of Ring Day, connoisseur of Blazers, queen of Science Fairs, trekker to glaciers in Iceland and volcanoes in Hawaii and Italy, digger of dinosaur bones, leader of a homeless shelter and advisor to the inhabitants, seamstress, mother of two daughters, grandmother of two granddaughters, supreme science educator, and still at it after all these years. As I leave the Science Building in the quiet of the after-school hours, I walk toward the front door and occasionally turn left toward the physics classroom as if to yell out, “Good Night, Liz, see you tomorrow” as I did for many years. Liz Chesick was synonymous with science at Baldwin for many years. Alumnae would return to Baldwin during Winter Break and bring their friends to meet "Mrs. Cheese." At one o’clock in the morning, they would toss stones at the window of the physics classroom.  Liz would welcome her former students and their friends into the classroom to once again work physics problems.

Middle School Science Night 4/18/12...On April 25, parents will get a behind-the-scenes look at the research and findings of Baldwin's Middle School scientists.    Middle School Science Night will kick off with a presentation by Sophia Tareen '13 on her research to determine the health risks posed to teenagers by the use of iPod/mp3 players. Following a brief question and answer session, students and guests will view research and activities completed by Grade VI and VII students, including:   Famous Physical Scientists Project: The Grade VI students will present experiments representing the famous physical scientists they have researched and about whom they have prepared posters. Generations: Grade VII students will demonstrate the experiments they have done to enhance their learning of cell biology, genetics and molecular biology.

Baldwin Coaches Special Olympics Team to Victory   4/17/12...Since January, Liz Asch'12, Jasmine Schlichting '13 and Sarah Durlofsky '15 have been working with a team of Special Olympics athletes.  This past weekend, the girls attended the annual Montgomery County Special Olympics Basketball Tournament at Methacton High School.  The day was a success, with the Special Olympics team earning gold and coming in first place in 5 vs. 5 divisional play at the tournament.     Also, two members medaled (one gold, one silver) in Individual Skills competition.   Congratulations to the athletes and their Baldwin coaches.

Student Launches Free the Children Chapter   4/13/12...Emilie Wache ’13 became interested in humanitarian issues after attending a speech by Free the Children's co-founder at last year's Model UN Conference at Georgetown University.  She petitioned Baldwin's school senate to create a club in support of the organization, which is launching in the fall. Emilie was recently awarded a Fernley Fund Grant by her church (St. Thomas Church, Whitemarsh) for $2,125 to support the club’s efforts to adopt a village in Ecuador. Once Baldwin raises the necessary $8,000 to fully adopt a village, the school will travel to Ecuador to work with the locals and construct the buildings. Read this story in the Bryn Mawr Patch about Emilie's work with Free the Children.

Student's Art Auctioned by Penn Society for International Development   4/11/12...Six photos taken by Sophia Tareen '13 have been selected for display in the Penn Society for International Development's 5th Annual "Visions of Development" Photo Exhibit and Silent Auction. With more than 200 submissions this year, the organization found Sophia's photos to be "aesthetically exceptional and educationally enriching representations of the developing world." Sophia's photographs were featured among pieces by University of Pennsylvania students and auctioned off with all proceeds going to the Women's Campaign International. The open event was held on April 9 at at the University of Pennsylvania.   Click here to visit our blog and see Sophia's work.

Bringing Gold into the Equation       Front Row (left to right): Jessica Zhang (VII), Zara Wenzinger (VII), Angela Yang ((VI), Sara Syed (VI), Hilary Liu (VI), Neelam Pandya (VI), & Samantha Raymond (VI)Back Row (left to right): Roma Trivedi (VI), Pallavi Sreedhar (VII), Kaitlyn Kang (VII), Anika Iyer (VII), Skyler Schork (VI), Anne Chen (VII), & Lynn Cohen (Director of Math Resource Center)     4/5/2012…The much anticipated results of the Mathcounts Club Program were revealed on Wednesday, March 4 at the Middle School assembly. Lynn Cohen, math enrichment teacher and Director of the Math Resource Center announced to the expectant 13-member Mathcounts Club and their peers that they had secured the Gold Level award, and presented the winners with certificates of achievement.   To get gold, each of the club members had to score higher than 80 percent on the 10 math problems assigned, and submit their answers to the Mathcounts organization before March 30. This year, Baldwin was one of amongst 250 schools nationwide that received the Gold Level distinction.    The club has been working towards gold since January, meeting on Friday afternoons in the Schoolhouse math lab to solve new math challenges. The club, who were in high spirits from their Silver Level win in early March, can now celebrate with renewed vigor.

A Ring Day Monstrosity      4/9/12…Students were drawn into the world of Monsters, Inc. from the moment they stepped foot on campus in celebration of the Class of 2014’s Ring Day on April 5. The dramatic entryway, designed by the Class of Purple, was only just the beginning of what awaited the students once they made their way through the Passageway and into the Schoolhouse. To convey the themes of the selected Pixar film – which chronicles a group of Monsters, Inc. employees who bottle the screams of children to power their city – purple streamers, yellow ‘caution’ tape, warning signs and posters reading “Powered by Screams,” camouflaged the walls and ceilings. The Grade X girls also lost no time in emulating their ‘monster’ employee counterparts by parading around in purple shirts, hard hats and jewelry. Read the rest of the story on our blog, or view event photos in our Media Gallery.

Varsity Track Off to a Fast Start 4/4/2012. . . Yesterday, the varsity track team ran personal best times at their first regular season track meet against Episcopal Academy . In the 100 Meters, freshman Krista Hinchman turned in a 13.9, good for fourth and teammate Rachel Zachian posted a time of 14.3. Krista also posted a 28.8 in the 200 Meter run. Baldwin finished third in the 4x100 Relay, finishing with a time of 1.01.6. That team consisted of Alice Douglas, Krista, Rachel and Tarlan Daryoush.  The Bears compete next at Penn Charter on April 13.

Baldwin Girls Dig Archeology 4/3/12...Wearing gloves and utilizing shovels, brushes, sifters and other tools, a small group of Baldwin girls are up to their elbows in dirt, meticulously working to unearth the artifacts hidden between each stratified, ‘time-stamped’ layer. Whilst it might seem as though these students are half a world away, excavating an ancient site in Alexandria or Pompeii, they can actually be found kneeling over clear tubs in the comfort of their classroom, simulating an archeological dig as part of Middle School Mini-Week. Though this sprightly bunch have a plethora of courses to choose from, like ‘The Art of Technology,’ ‘Great Women of Stage and Screen’ or ‘Asian Adventure,’ they’ve elected instead to study the specialized techniques archeologists use in examining the secrets of the past in ‘Archeology and the Ancient World,’ with History Teacher Mr. Bannard. Read the full story on our blog, or view photos of Mini-Week in our Media Gallery.

'Konnichiwa' from Baldwin's Kindergarteners  4/2/12...Dolled up in vibrant, floral-patterned kimonos with flowers accentuating their up-dos, the kindergarten class celebrated the annual Japanese Luncheon on Thursday, March 22 in the cherry-blossom themed Residence Assembly Room. The girls made their entrance though a makeshift pagoda, an archway with tiered towers and multiple eaves characteristic of temples or religious buildings in the Far East. They then gathered around a samisen player who spoke briefly about the history and craftsmanship of the three-stringed instrument, before taking questions and playing a few traditional Japanese songs. The youngsters were then seated for lunch around a brightly colored ‘mock’ pond, landscaped with flowers on hand-crafted lily pads and multicolored fish, over a clear-blue film representing water. And they ate traditional Japanese food surrounded by other in-class creations like paper-lanterns and wall posters featuring Japanese symbols and drawings to illustrate their meaning. The girls took to singing and dancing after lunch by delighting their audience of parents and teachers with Japanese songs they had learned and ending the event on a high note. The Japanese Luncheon is one of amongst a number of cherished class events that has become a long-standing tradition at Baldwin. Others include Heritage Day for Grade I, the Grade II Native American Feast, Colonial Day in Grade III, the Grade IV Annual Play, and a trip to NYC for Baldwin’s fifth-graders.    View more photos from the Japanese Luncheon in our Media Gallery!

Varsity Lacrosse Tops Westtown in Non-League Action 4/2/2012. . . The Varsity Lacrosse team beat Westtown School 16-3 on 3/31, held at Baldwin's Lower Field. The win brings the team's overall record to 2-2.   Arden Simone led the team with 5 goals, 2 assists, 4 ground balls and 4 caused turnovers. Ali Thaler scored 5 and recorded 3 ground balls and 4 draw controls for the Bears. Laura Pansini scored 3; Chessy Nicoletti scored a goal, assisted on one and secured 5 ground balls. Bianca Newton and Eliza Mantelmacher each added a goal.   The defense was led by Nellie Shields with 4 draw controls and steady defense. Tri-captain Tiffany Hau was also strong on the defensive end and in transition and recorded two interceptions. Goalie Carolyn Wong recorded five saves.    The team opens InterAc League play tomorrow at Germantown Academy. The Bears are 4-0 vs. GA in the last two years.    photo: Ali Thaler