news lineStallionA Publication for American Heritage School of Boca/Delray Parents

May/June 2013

For the second consecutive year, American Heritage School students have been recognized by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and IT Women for their outstanding achievements in high school computer applications and the role they play to encourage more girls to explore the field of computing.

Talia Statsky-Frank and Alyssa Berman, a junior and senior respectively, are two of twelve south Florida high school girls honored by each receiving the 2013 Southern Florida Affiliate NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. The award ceremony took place at the Citrix Operational Headquarters in Fort Lauderdale on March 7. Alyssa received further recognition for her selection as a national runner-up for the national NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.

Both Alyssa and Talia anticipate a Computer Science track in college. In addition, the recognition of being a NCWIT award winner is already paying dividends for Alyssa, as she has been offered an internship at Citrix this summer. Both Alyssa and Talia cite that their interest in computing began to increase (NCWIT continued from page

AHS Students Win 2013 NCWIT AwardsFor Aspirations in Computing

Talia Statsky-Frank and Alyssa Berman with their awards.

(Continued next page)

No. 1 Private School inFlorida Math League 2012-13

The Heritage Delray Math Team finished first among all participating private schools in Florida, and fifth overall, in the 2012-13 Florida Math League competition. The AHS Math Team continues to show steady progress. The Math League contest is comprised of a series of six monthly competitions, beginning in October and running through March, during which more than fifty Florida high schools compete. Approximately seventy AHS students, grades 8 -12, participate in the competitions. The students practice and improve their math skills throughout the year in expanded math classes in such disciplines as Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Statistics. Heritage also competes in the Florida Mu Alpha Theta math competitions, as well as the American Mathematics Competitions. Heritage Delray models its math competition program after its sister school Plantation Heritage, which is widely recognized as having the number one private school math competition team in the nation. Congratulations to all the students who work through the year to improve and display their skills.

1)

while taking the “Alice” programming course at the school. Alyssa has taken a variety of the computer course offerings at American Heritage including Web Page Design and Computer Science Honors. Talia is proud to be part of a very select group of female students nationwide who have taken Advanced Placement Computer Science and have passed the exam at a high level. Last year, American Heritage’s Ariel Smith received the 2012 NCWIT award for Aspirations in Computing. Ariel is now a Computer Science major at the University of Florida.

Guidance Welcomes New Counselor

The Guidance & College Planning Department is delighted to welcome Mrs. Sophie Stansbury to the Guidance team! Mrs. Stansbury is a graduate of the University of Florida were she earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. She has previous experience working with students in both the elementary and middle school setting. In addition, she has worked as a substitute teacher and tutor at AHS! Mrs. Stansbury will be working with AHS students in grade 9 and is excited to be a part of the American Heritage family! You can reach Mrs. Stansbury directly at extension 243 or by e-mail at sophie.stansbury@ahschool.com.

AHS Father and Daughter Volunteer Service in Honduras

From March 2-9, Jay Kernus, D.O. (who participates in our Pre-med program) and Lena Kernus (7th grade student) travelled to Honduras on an annual clean water mission.

This was the seventh year Kernus has traveled there. He works with a group called “Agua Para El Pueblo,” which translates to “ Water for the People.” They develop clean water systems for rural Honduran mountain villages that have access only to disease-carrying, poluted water. The people there are extremely poor.

“Agua Para El Pueblo” is an amazing Honduran run non-profit which individually designs, implements, and constructs clean water systems for these people. Because Kernus is capable of treating emergency medical care situations, he has been pressed into service to treat his group members as well as local inhabitants during the past year. He brought his daughter Lena with him, this year, as his nurse. She was an invaluable help to him and is excited about returning again next year. It was both an excellent volunteer project and life experience.

Lena with Honduran children

State Science and Engineering FairCongratulations to Heritage students who represented AHS Boca/Delray at the State Science & Engineering Fair in Lakeland! They were eligible based on their strong showing at the Palm Beach County Science Fair.

Tristin Jones received 6th place for his project titled “Strength of Temporary Shelter Shapes” and received a special award from The Engineering Guild. Anthony Coons received an honorable mention for his project titled “Healing Touch’s Effect on Plants While Using Kirlian Photography.”

This is the first year that Heritage Delray placed at the State Science & Engineering Fair. Please congratulate Tristin and Anthony for their accomplishments!

Pre-law is Raising the Bar in Legal Competitions

- Ani Porter Pre-law instructor/attorney Ani Porter is happy to report the much anticipated results of the State of Florida Mock trial Final Competition that was held from March 6-9. Over 80 high schools from the state of Florida participated in this year’s Mock Trial Competition. This is an event organized by the Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc. for the past 30 years. Traditionally, there have been five schools that exchange the top five rankings. This year, AHS Boca/Delray earned 7th place after a formidable performance. Placing top ten is a sizeable achievement. It is worth adding that this is only Heritage Delray’s second time to participate at this level of the competition.

Mrs. Harris and Ms. Porter were truly impressed with their students’ camaraderie, intelligence and stamina during this strenuous competition. They extend thanks to the administration and the teachers for all the support.

And, more congratulations are in order for Pre-Law Students…

Kathryn Kuethman and Charles Suarez were among essayists from Palm Beach County schools to submit their entries to the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, for the First Annual Gideon Essay Competition. Both Kathryn and Charles were selected for submitting superb essays on the importance of persons accused of crimes being represented by an attorney. This competition began this year in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court Case Gideon v. Wainwright, which established the right to counsel in all criminal trials.

Kathryn and Charles were two out of only six overall winners in all of Palm Beach County. They enjoyed the opportunity to be recognized and to shadow attorneys at the Public Defender’s Office for a day, receive a tour of the Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, and attend a special awards luncheon with attorneys from across the Palm Beach area. Congratulations for another Pre-Law accomplishment and milestone!

Continuing their recent accomplishments...After being named State Finalists and winning the Best Brief Award in the State of Florida last year, the AHS Moot Court team, consisting now of seniors Felix Hartmann and Kathryn Kuethman, decided to enter into the FLREA State Moot Court Competition for a second time. Along with the seniors, freshmen Devin Barkey and Charles Suarez, and sophomores Carley Meeks and Emma Perez, submitted 15-18 page appellate law briefs involving Second Amendment firearm rights. Both the senior team and the sophomore team were selected to represent Palm Beach County in oral arguments for the regional competition on April 17. The teams are hoping to have the opportunity to represent AHS Boca/Delray in the State Competition held by the Florida Supreme Court for a second time.

Celebrating A Year of Great Debates

Congratulations to Heritage’s own Great Debaters as the debate season winds down to a close. After approximately 60 tournaments, dozens of different debate topics, and tournaments here in Florida and out of state, at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and other top universities, our debate team’s younger generation is now preparing to compete at Novice State Championships, while our older generation prepares for Debate Nationals. Congratulations on all of your successes, Heritage Debaters!

Other Recent Highlights:

• Freshmen Will Turk and Nelson Urdaneta competed at the NDCA Championships in Congressional Debate• Felix Hartmann and Alyssa Turk brought home First Place awards from the NDCA Championships• Novices Caroline Rapp and Kasey Tendrich, among others, debated in the fifth annual Triathlon Debates, competing in Public Forum Debate, Congressional Debate, and Spontaneous Argument, all in the same day. Rapp and Tendrich placed second in SPAR debate. • Michael Wu and Alyssa Turk go undefeated in public forum debate at the Triathlon Debates, debating the April topic: Does US Anti-drug policy in Latin America do more harm than good? Debaters argued about drug cartels, herbicides used to spray crops, and the possibility of meaningful long-term success in the region. For more information about Heritage Debate’s classes offered or ways to get involved, e-mail Coach David Childree at David.Childree@AHSchool.com or visit the team website at www.freewebs.com/americanheritagedebate/

Heritage Debaters: (Back) Alex Chea, Nelson Urdaneta, William Turk, Felix Hartmann, (Front) Michael Wu, Alyssa Turk, and Eric Momper

More Than 60 Projects at This Year’s Science FairWinners Move Up to District Science Fair

The Lower School Science Lab was a hub of learning and investigating in April with more than 60 Science Fair projects submitted. Given the opportunity to find the answer to many of life’s questions, more students stepped up to do individual projects than in any prior year. It’s evident by the quality of the projects that our fifth graders are well-prepared to compete at the next level as they move into middle school.

Students integrated technology, research, math, and science into the process. Some students might just show up on the next season of Shark Tank pitching their discoveries! This year, all the projects were judged three times by impartial judges from FAU Pine Jog Environmental Center and Morikami. Special thanks to Mr. Al & Mr. Berger who also lent their science expertise as judges.

Congratulations to all of our students on a very successful Science Fair. The following students will proceed on to the Palm Beach County District Science Fair to represent American Heritage.Class Projects:Kindergarten Maya Joffe Impact of Water on a Sandcastle1st grade Zachary Benkirane Burn Baby Burn 2nd grade Zachary Krouch 3 Big Stains 3rd grade Olivia Joffe Food Preference of a Cockatiel 4th grade Ryaan Benkirane Salty Shrimp 4th grade Emily Schleifer Organic vs Inorganic

Individual Projects:1st Place- 5th grade Cassie Glover Can Dirty Water Be Made Drinkable? 2nd Place- 5th grade Bailey Uderitz Surface Tension

Pictured is Bailey Uderitz 2nd Place Science Fair winner, and Cassie Glover 1st place Science Fair winner. Not pic-tured is Allie Gladstone - 3rd place winner.

National History Day

Noah Bolanowski, a Junior, was asked to allow his National History Day project to be displayed at the grand opening, last month, of the first-ever Polaroid Photobar store in the new Delray Marketplace. He created a Polaroid Camera replica to demonstrate that the invention of the Polaroid Camera was a turning point in history.

Communications Classes Attend Convention

Students in the Communications classes (Yearbook, Broadcast and Multimedia Magazine and Newspaper) will attend the Florida Scholastic Press Association Spring Convention, in Orlando, April 25, 26 and 27. Students have submitted work for evaluation and will have an opportunity to go “head to head’ with other students from around the state in various “on-the-spot” competitions, such as writing to a prompt, broadcast: edit to the beat etc. There is minimal preparation time for these contests and therefore students must have excellent skills in writing, layout, graphic design and film editing (just to name a few) to compete at this level.

In other news from Communications Matt Damate, class of 2015, won four “Gold Keys” and an Honorable Mention for his poems submitted to Scholastic Art & Writing National Competition. Dani Dysch, a junior, also won Honorable Mentions for her poems submitted to the same competition.

FLORIDA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION

Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA) recently released the “All Florida Individual Winners” for their Spring Digital Contest submissions. There were over 1800 submissions in 50 categories. Three Heritage students made the “All Florida” category and have a chance at the “Best of the Best” designation which was announced at the convention, April 25 - 27. (We will let you know) Congratulations to:Gianni Lazzara - “Hand Drawn” (Equus) & Sports Photo (Stallion Chronicle)Nicholas Gasparri - Hand Drawn (Equus)Cindy Metzger - “Tom Pierce Photo Portfolio”

A MESSAGE FROM THE PTO...

As time moves quickly towards the end of this school year,

your PTO is still active around campus. The 3rd Annual Spring

Fling sponsored by the PTO and the Fine Arts Department was

held on Saturday, April 6. Students and families were treated to

performances in, dancing, singing, music, and still art, had fun at a

carnival, enjoyed a bite to eat, and tried their luck at the raffle and

auction tables. No amount of rainfall could dampen the mood

that enveloped the Heritage campus on that day. The PTO sends

out a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to the ROLLE family for

their donation of all of the stuffed toys to the carnival. Thank you

to all of the American Heritage families who helped make the day

a fantastic success.

On a personal note, we thank the PTO Board, Bob Stone, the

Administration, teachers, staff, and all of the PTO volunteers for

making the last two and a half years such a wonderful experience.

It has been a pleasure for us to serve as your PTO Presidents.

-Robin DeStefano and Paula Hicks

AMERICAN HERITAGE SCHOOL BOCA DELRAY2013-2014 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Monday August 26 Classes BeginMonday September 2 Labor Day - no schoolThursday September 5 Rosh Hashanah - no schoolFriday Sept 20, Oct. 11 Progress ReportsFriday October 18 End of First QuarterSaturday October 19 PSAT’s Monday October 21 Quarter 2 BeginsFriday November 1 Parent Teacher Conference Day - no classes Friday Nov 8, Dec. 6 2nd Quarter Progress ReportsWed. November 27 Thanksgiving Holiday - noon dismissalThurs, Fri November 28, 29 Thanksgiving Holiday - no schoolT, W,Th, F Dec 17 - Dec. 20 Upper School Exams - 8:30 - 11:30 AM Friday December 20 End of 2nd quarter - 11:30 AM dismissalSat - Sun Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 Winter Holidays Monday January 6 Classes Resume - beginning of Quarter 3Friday January 17 Parent-Teacher Conference Day - no classesMonday January 20 Martin Luther King Day - no schoolFriday Jan 24, February 28 3rd Quarter Progress ReportsFriday February 14 Teacher Work Day - no classes for studentsMonday February 17 Presidents’ Day - no schoolFriday March 14 End of 3rd Quarter Monday March 17 Beginning of Quarter 4Tues, Wed March 18, 19 Upper School Stanford Achievement TestsSat - Sun March 22 - March 30 Spring BreakFriday April 4 Parent-Teacher Conference Day - no classes Friday April 11, May 16 4th Quarter Progress ReportsMon-Th April 14 -17 Upper School Academy SAT’sFri & Mon April 18, 21 Mini-Spring BreakM - Thurs April 28, 29, 30, May 1 Lower School Stanford Achievement TestsM thru Fri May 5 - 16 A. P. ExamsFriday May 9 Last Day for SeniorsFriday May 16 Senior DinnerSaturday May 17 Senior GraduationMonday May 26 Memorial Day - no schoolF-M-T-W May 30, June 2, 3, 4 Upper School Exams - 8:15- 11:30 AM; 11:30 AM dismissal Friday May 30 Last day for Pre K3 - KindergartenWed, June 4 Last day for Grades 1-11; 11:30 AM dismissal Aug. 26 - Oct. 18 1st Quarter 38 daysOct. 21 - Dec. 20 2nd Quarter 42 daysJan. 6- March 14 3rd Quarter 46 daysMarch 17 - June 4 4th Quarter 49 days Total 175 days

Three Heritage students, Nicholas Aquilino, Madison Spear and Madeline Swift, won an opportunity to spend a week with Youngarts in their first-ever Regional Arts Week. Students were selected after receiving Honorable Mentions and Merit Awards at the national level.

The students worked with famed Tony-nominated Broadway actor Malcolm Gets and attended master classes with movie and Broadway star Rosie Perez and other pros. Their amazing week ended with a concert at the historic Gusman Theater in Downtown Miami where they shared the stage with 19 other YoungArts Winners, alumi and Nickelodeon star Max Schneider in a dance, theater, and voice production.

Students Perform at Youngarts Week

(Left) Nicholas Aquilino and Madeline Swift (Right) Madison Spear

Key Club Brings Holiday WishesThe Key Club visited Bethesda Hospital East’s Children’s ward on March 26. The Kiwanis members supplied Easter goodies for the children and Heritage students delivered them, dressed as the Easter Bunny and helpers.

LOWER SCHOOL DRAMAMs. Brennan’s Elementary Drama Classes have begun learning the Art of Clowning! They are learning how to use their faces, bodies, and imaginations to express ideas and emotions. Clowning is very important for young actors in learning to use their bodies and facial expressions. The AHS elementary students are excellent at using their wonderful creativity to tell stories without using words!

ARTFifth grader Conner Perry brought a real digeridoo to art while students worked on Australian Aborigine inspired art projects in 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. Not only did Connor bring in the digeridoo (which happens to be the world’s oldest wind instrument) but he played it for the classes, as well! He is seen in the photo with the digeridoo and his aboriginal x-ray style project. The 3rd grade made miniature digeridoos and the 7th grade used aboriginal art as their inspiration for stamping and printmaking.

DANCEKennedy Bagwell (a competition dance team member) has been selected for a summer intensive dance program in NYC with the

iconic ROCKETTES! Kennedy auditioned in January in front of a panel of judges where she had to learn and perform a part of the Rockettes “Christmas Spectacular Show,” as well as demonstrate other technical dance requirements. Her program in NYC will include a week of intensive study at Radio City Music Hall with Rockette choreographers, dancers and the Rockette director. She will take six hours of class daily and then perform a final showcase performance at Radio City Music Hall! This is an amazing opportunity for Kennedy as a dancer...please pass on the congratulations!

DRAMAThespian Troupe 6007 of American Heritage Boca Delray recently participated in the Florida State Thespian Festival with five individual events and an entry in The State One-Act Festival.The production of Blithe Spirit had been selected in November to represent District 10 at the State Festival. The cast and crew of Blithe Spirit received STATE SUPERIOR RATINGS in both performance and technical. A perfect score of

30 was presented to the troupe and they brought home the State Superior Award.

Along with the entry to the one-act festival, students were represented in several other categories ranging from Ensemble Acting to Duet Musical with ratings of “Excellent” to “Superior.”

***Special Thanks***A big “thank you” to Ron Persaud, Assistant Vice President, and Tony Lee Wong, Branch Manager, of Citibank Boca Woodfield. The bank has hosted student art shows for the previous 12 years. The shows are up for approximately three months during the school year with permanent student art work displayed in the summer. Thanks to everyone at Citibank for their support! DANCECongratulations to Mrs. Jimenez’s dance classes who did a wonderful job at Spring Fling! Each dance class performed in front of all their family and friends with routines they have been

HS woodwind section at Spring Fling Cellist Chelsea Castillo performs.

Fifth grader Conner Perry brought a real digeridoo to art classes.

At left and below, elementarty drama classes learn the art of clowning

practicing for the last couple of months. Each class will also be performing again at the end of the year dance concert.

AHS DANCE CONCERT

THURSDAY, MAY 97:00 PM /

GYMNASIUM

• PK4 has been busy learning all about cycles! They have learned about the life cycle of a plant, a caterpillar and a frog! They planted seeds and each day, they are watching the growth of a radish, an onion and a carrot. Students watch as the roots grow down and the sprout grows up! They are also watching “painted lady” caterpillars eat, grow and change into butterflies! Every day, preschoolers see changes! How exciting!

• First graders had a beautiful time on their field trip to Flamingo Gardens. It was a picture perfect day as they encountered many interesting sights such as a HUGE alligator, pretty pink flamingos, and a white swan. Students rode on a tram through wetlands and were shown many types of trees and plants and saw a peacock standing on a wedding gazebo! First graders watched a funny animal show where they could pet an owl and see an opossum drinking orange juice! After the show, students ate a picnic lunch at tables where a silly bird kept trying to steal their food! It was a great trip!

• Second graders came a long way this year. The children did a wonderful job with the writing process, as well as applying all previously learned language arts skills. They have also done exceptionally well with technology and research. They truly do enjoy researching various topics and gaining knowledge. Socially, the students have grown so much, and they apply their character education skills naturally. The students were ready and excited for the SAT’s and are looking forward to a fun-filled last month of school.

• Fourth graders are exploring Florida in their social studies unit this quarter. Students have started researching and writing about famous Floridians. Looking forward to visiting the Florida History Museum, soon.

• The fifth grade is beginning a science unit about electricity. The entire fifth grade class made electromagnets by connecting covered coils to batteries. Then the students used these magnets to attract paper clips. It was an exciting time as students were able to create a real electromagnet out of simple materials. The fifth grade is getting ready to move up to middle school. They will soon attend their first morning meeting with Mrs. LeFevre. What an exciting time!

Joshua Kaiser, Jordan Melamed, Katya Fonte, and Mekhila Brihm on Olympic Day

Kindergarten boys and Coach Walter in the jump rope competition

Arianna Waldman and PK4 is learning all about life cycles.

Third graders completed research on Florida wildlife. Ainsley Meyers, Olivia Joffe, Brooke Gheorge, Sasha Zaporozhets, and Aliza Chazin show examples of their work.

Monday

6Pasta Monday

13Pasta Monday

20Hot Diggity Dog Day

27Memorial Day

No School

Friday

3Homemade Chili with Rice

MuffinSteamed Corn

10Fish Friday

17Chicken NuggetsPotato PancakesMixed Veggies

24Fish Friday

31Build-A-Burger Bar

*Menu Subject to Change

Thursday

2Build A Better Burger Bar

9Homemade Beef Stew

NoodlesBiscuits

16Meatball Submarine Sandwich w/Cheese

Roasted Potato

23Homemade Macaroni and

CheeseCup of Soup

Mixed Veggies

30Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Cup of Soup

Wednesday

1Philly Cheese Steak Sub

Roasted PeppersOnions, Cheese

8Chicken Tenders

Scalloped PotatoesSweet Peas

15Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Tomato SoupGreenBeans

22Homemade Chili

Steamed RiceCorn Muffin

Sweet Baby Corn

29Southern Style Baked

ChickenPotatoCarrots

Tuesday

7Taco Tuesday

14Philly Cheese Steak

SandwichRoasted Peppers, Onions,Cheese

21Chicken Pattie on a Bun

Au Gratin Potatoes

28Pasta with Sauce

MeatballsBroccoli

Roll

May Menu

American Heritage School6200 Linton Blvd.Delray Beach, FL 33484

Register NOW for Summer Camp!Visit our website at www.ahschool.com