ACCENT 2011-2012 at The Awty International School 56

Transcription

ACCENT
2011-2012 at The Awty International School
ACCENT 2011-2012 1
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MR. JAMAL DANIEL
Chairman
DR. ZIN SMATI
Vice Chairman
MR. PATRICK SCHORN
Treasurer
MRS. LISA MEACHAM
Secretary
MR. NABEEL AMUDI
MR. FREDERIC BONTEMS
DR. STEPHEN CODRINGTON
MR. JEAN-FRANÇOIS GENAY
MR. BOUALEM MAIZIA
MS. ZENA MAJDALANI
MR. LUC MESSIER
MR. VICTOR OBADIAH
MRS. MEREDITH PHILIPP-TCHOLAKIAN
MRS. AMY PIERCE
MRS. VÉRONIQUE PRENTICE
MR. MARC WATTS
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
DR. STEPHEN CODRINGTON
Head of School
MR. BOUALEM MAIZIA
Proviseur and Deputy Head of School
MR. SAMUEL WAUGH
Head of Upper School
MR. THOMAS BEUSCHER
Head of Middle School
MR. STANLEY WAY
Head of Primary School
MRS. ERIKA BENAVENTE-MANCILLA
Director of Admissions
MR. DON DAVIS
Director of Facilities
MR. RONALD JACKSON
Director of Advancement and External Affairs
MR. BRIAN KELLEY
Director of Awty Plus and Student Services
MR. HANK NICODEMUS
Chief Financial Officer
MR. WILLIE ROBERTS
Director of Technology
MS. KAREN WAUGH
Athletic Director
Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
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Primary School
Middle School
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Summer Readers Pizza Party
Lire en Fête
Thanksgiving
La Galette des Rois / La Rosca de Reyes
Lower School Spelling Bee
Go Texan Day
Mardi Gras Parade
Field Days
Grade Level Music Performances
4 The Awty International School
Bingo & Bears
Geography Bee
2012 Spelling Bee
Don Quijote de la Mancha
Big Bend XXIV
12 Angry Men
Green & Gold Fun Day
ACCENT
2011-2012 at The Awty International School
56
6
From the Head of School
8
From the Proviseur
10
Advancing Awty
22
Awty Alumni
70
Parent Volunteers
82
Highlights
Upper School
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Helping Haitians
Chinese Speech Contest
Global Issues Network
Senior Tea
US Students Commemorate MLK
Charley’s Aunt
Career Fair
Musicians Attend TPSMEA
You Can’t Take It With You
109 Thank You! Merci!
ACCENT 2011-2012 5
From The Head of School
ducation is the renewal of the
world – the future of our world
depends upon what happens
in the classrooms of today’s schools.
The Awty International School
brings together students from all
over the world
iin a way that is
aalmost unique
within the Unitw
ed States. Where
e
else could a
e
yyoung man or
woman
w
share
ttheir formative
years of education with students of the same age
from some 60 different countries from
around the world? Where else could a
student hope to be taught by a team of
such committed professional teachers
from so many diverse backgrounds?
Our school offers a memorable and
usually life-changing preparation for
life in a global society. Our alumni consistently tell us that spending time at
Awty was one of the most significant
formative experiences of their lives.
They tell us that life at Awty provided a
multitude of opportunities to develop
leadership, service towards others, and
a sense of justice and excellence in every aspect of their formation.
The fascinating multi-cultural mix,
the intensity of academic life, the excellent relationships between teachers and students, and the worthwhile
challenges that are placed before our
students every day, all in the context
of the vibrant world city of Houston,
E
combine to ensure that every student
is prepared fully to face the challenges
of rapid globalization. We remain firmly committed in our goal to make Awty
a school that prepares every student
for life in all its fullness.
Like almost everyone who knows
our school, I have caught the pride that
we all share in Awty, not only for what
it is and will be in the future, but also
for what it is contributing towards the
education of young men and women
who are committed to making the
world a better place.
This has been my first year at Awty,
and I have really appreciated the warm
welcome I have received, together
with the openness and the friendliness
of the entire school community. Thank
you! And thank you also to everyone
– faculty, staff, students, board, and
parents – for your support in so many
ways this year as we worked together
to make our great school even better.
Your infectious enthusiasm has helped
me understand why past and present
students and parents, teachers, and indeed the community in general, speak
so highly of this very special place.
We must never take it for granted!
’éducation est le renouveau du
monde, dont l’avenir dépend de
ce qui se passe aujourd’hui dans
les salles de classe.
L’École internationale Awty rassemble
des élèves du monde entier, de façon
presque unique au sein des États-Unis.
Dans quel autre endroit un jeune hom-
L
me ou une jeune femme pourrait-il partager ses années de formation scolaire
avec des élèves du même âge venant de
quelque 60 pays différents ? Dans quel
autre endroit un élève pourrait-il espérer
qu’une équipe d’enseignants professionnels engagés, aux parcours divers, lui
dispense un enseignement ?
Notre école propose une préparation
inoubliable et généralement marquante
pour vivre dans une société mondialisée.
Nos anciens élèves nous répètent que le
temps passé à Awty a constitué l’une des
expériences les plus formatrices de leur
vie. Ils nous disent que la vie à Awty leur
a fourni une multitude d’occasions de
développer des qualités de leadership,
de service envers les autres, et un sens de
la justice et de l’excellence dans chaque
aspect de leur formation.
Le fascinant mélange multiculturel,
l’intensité de la vie scolaire, les excellentes relations entre enseignants et élèves,
ainsi que les défis intéressants auxquels
nos élèves sont confrontés chaque jour,
tout ceci dans le contexte de la ville internationale animée qu’est Houston,
s’associent pour garantir que chaque
élève est pleinement préparé à affronter les difficultés d’une mondialisation
rapide. Nous restons fermement engagés envers notre objectif de faire d’Awty
une école qui prépare chaque élève à la
vie dans son intégralité.
Comme presque toute personne connaissant notre École, j’ai été pris dans la
fierté que nous partageons tous à Awty,
non seulement pour ce qu’elle est et sera
à l’avenir, mais aussi pour ce en quoi elle
contribue à l’éducation de jeunes hom-
Dr. Codrington joined the PK-4 students for a Teddy Bear Picnic as
they kicked off the IPC unit entitled “Bears” in September 2011.
mes et jeunes femmes qui s’engagent à
faire du monde un endroit meilleur.
Je termine ma première année à Awty
et j’ai vraiment apprécié l’accueil chaleureux que j’ai reçu, ainsi que l’ouverture
et la cordialité de toute la communauté
scolaire. Merci ! Et merci à chacun – enseignants, personnel, élèves, membres
du conseil, parents – de votre soutien de
si nombreuses façons cette année, alors
que nous avons travaillé ensemble à
améliorer encore notre formidable École.
Votre enthousiasme contagieux m’a
aidé à comprendre pourquoi les élèves
et les parents, anciens et actuels, les enseignants, et en réalité toute la communauté, vantent autant les mérites de ce
lieu très particulier.
Nous ne devons jamais le considérer
comme acquis !
- Dr. Stephen Codrington
Head of School
ACCENT 2011-2012 7
From The Proviseur
otre école change, évolue et
s’adapte. Il y a peu de temps,
l’école comptait moins de
1000 élèves, nous voilà aujourd’hui plus
de 1300. Houston connaît une formidable croissance et nous en bénéficions.
Encore
faut-il
p
pouvoir accueillir
e
et bien préparer
ttous nos élèves
aaux échéances
ffutures.
Quelques
m
mois
auparavvant, nous aurions pu dire que
les gens ne venaient pas à Awty pour
les bâtiments, on se raconte régulièrement que quelques visiteurs qui n’ont
pas voulu regarder notre école n’ont vu
qu’un vieux hangar… Dommage pour
eux et leurs enfants. Awty s’est développé et a construit un gymnase, des
salles de classes, des labos de sciences
et même un stadium… c’est plutôt
bien mais pas encore suffisant. Le conseil d’administration et la direction de
l’école ont travaillé sur un projet immobilier d’envergure. Il n’a qu’une ambition, répondre aux besoins des élèves.
Vous avez sans doute vu, un nouveau
bâtiment au nord de notre campus.
Il sera opérationnel à la rentrée 2012,
plus de 65000 sqft ..... salles de classe et
des bureaux. Les travaux pour le parking ont commencé début mars et sera
prêt en été 2012 également. D’autres
constructions suivront, nous avons besoin de place en élémentaire et en maternelle, plus tard de nouvelles salles de
N
classe pour le secondaire, un student
center et un auditorium sont prévus. Le
visage de l’école va changer, nous aurons des infrastructures à la hauteur de
nos espérances. Les élèves et les professeurs disposeront de locaux modernes
bien équipés.
Si la façade change, Awty reste et restera cette école unique avec ses deux
sections, internationale et française,
représentant respectivement 60% et
40% de l’effectif total. Une école avec
deux identités fortes préparant au bac
international et au bac français (standard et OIB). Une école fière de son histoire et prête a la partager avec les nouveaux membres qui rejoignent notre
communauté chaque année. C’est aussi
une spécificité de notre école, étant
une école internationale, une partie
de nos familles ne sont que de passage, et nous devons alors accueillir
de nouvelles familles auxquelles nous
expliquons ce que nous sommes. Une
mémoire sans cesse racontée et perpétuée.
L’année scolaire 2011-12 se termine
dans quelques semaines, une année
bien remplie riches en évènements,
chacune et chacun partira en vacances
avec la satisfaction du travail accompli.
Nous souhaitons une bonne continuation à ceux qui vont nous quitter pour
une autre ville, un autre pays ou un
autre continent. Pour ceux qui reviennent, nous serons là pour vous accueillir
et nous écrirons ensemble la suite de
l’histoire d’Awty.
ur school is changing, evolving, and adapting. Not long
ago, the school had fewer
than 1,000 students; today we have
more than 1,300. Houston has experienced phenomenal growth and we are
its beneficiaries. Still we need to be able
to welcome and properly prepare all our
students at every step in our growth.
A few months ago, we could have
safely said that it wasn’t for its buildings
that people came to Awty. We regularly swapped stories about visitors who
didn’t want to give our school a second
glance because all they saw was an
old warehouse…too bad for them and
their children. Awty has been expanding, erecting a gymnasium, classrooms,
science labs, and even a stadium. All
that’s pretty good but it’s not enough.
The Board of Trustees and the school’s
Administration began work on a largescale building project. Their only ambition—to meet the students’ needs. You
can’t miss the new building that is going
up at the north end of our campus. It will
be operational by the start of the 20122013 school year and will have more
than 65,000 sq. ft. of classroom and office space. The work on the parking garage began in early March and it too will
be ready in August 2012. Other buildings
will follow to meet our need for space in
the Primary School. At a later date, we
plan to add new classrooms for the Secondary School, a student center, and an
auditorium. The face of the school will
change and we will have an infrastructure commensurate with our aspiration.
Students and teachers alike will have the
O
Mr. Maizia joined Lower School students Jenna Maizia, Anaelle Bouazzouz, Selma Maizia, Talia CohenFette, and Camila Dasprez at the annual Summer Readers Pizza Party on September 9, 2011.
use of modern, well-equipped facilities.
As the facade changes, Awty will remain the unique school it is with its
International and French sections representing respectively 60% and 40% of
its total population. We are one school
with two robust identities preparing its
students for the International Baccalaureate and the French Bac (standard and
OIB). We are a school that is proud of its
history and eager to share that history
with its new constituents who join our
community every year. One of our char-
acteristics, as an international school, is
that some of our families are just passing
through. It is our duty to welcome these
new families by sharing who we are with
them. Ours is a living history that is ever
narrated and always kept alive.
As the 2011-2012 school year draws to
an end, in a couple of weeks we will look
back on a year rich in events. Everyone
will go on vacation with the satisfaction
of a job well done. We wish all the best
to those who will be leaving us to go to
a new city, to another country, or to an-
other continent. For those who will be returning next year, we will be here to welcome you back and together, we’ll write
the next chapter in Awty’s history.
- Mr. Boualem Maizia
Proviseur & Deputy Head of School
ACCENT 2011-2012 9
Ms. Mary King helps Amar Singh make his handprints
on the first day of Kindergarten.
Advancing Awty
STEWARDSHIP. PHILANTHROPY. ALTRUISM.
The Awty International School became the world-class institution it is because of the support of
those who share their time and resources. Volunteers support the Awty International School’s advancement functions with contributions of both time and monetary resources, which attracts private support and improves public understanding of the school’s impact on the world today. Look
behind any activity at Awty, whether in the classrooms, on the athletic fields, in a fine arts room, or
even in a language lab, and you will find three types of gifts in action that allow Awty to excel: gifts
of time (from parents who volunteer), gifts to the Annual Giving program, and gifts to the Capital
Campaign. All of these have an impact to help sustain Awty’s unique approach to education, and
for this we say thank you. We are ever grateful for your continued support. The investments made
by the Awty community created, and continue to improve, an engaging educational environment
conducive to a world-class education. Your gifts of both time and resources contribute to the success of both current Awty students and the next generation by making the school a place where
they can grow to become leaders in their communities, and across the globe.
$4.3 Million Gift to Aw ty
he Awty International School
is pleased to announce a commitment of $4.3 million from
The Levant Foundation in support of
the school’s “Building for our Future”
Capital Campaign, Arabic program,
and the establishment of the Teacher
Leadership and Excellence Fund.
The foundation’s Executive Director
Sonny Hudson presented the first installment of $1.8 million to the school
on January 31, 2012 in a small ceremony. The donation comes after the
school’s board and parent community
have, so far, successfully raised $1.5
million for the campaign.
The Levant Foundation, founded by
the Chairman of Awty’s Board of Trustees, Jamal Daniel, has made numerous
major gifts in support of prior capital
efforts at Awty, as well as being a major
supporter of the school’s Annual Fund,
the yearly fundraising gala, and various athletic programs.
In speaking about the mission of
The Levant Foundation, Daniel said,
T
“In our initiatives we expect to renew
equilibrium in international relations,
encourage dialogue, and generate a
climate conducive to a wider sense of
democracy.”
This gift is in direct support of the
second phase of Awty’s master plan
which includes expansion of the Lower
School, a new Preschool building, and
a new 440-space parking garage (to
open Fall 2012) as well as the Teacher
Leadership and Excellence Fund.
The first phase of the school’s master
plan is currently underway. In August
2012, the school plans to open a threestory, 65,000 square foot facility which
will house 33 educational classrooms,
two art classrooms, one digital photo
room, new dining hall for the entire
student body, new administrative offices, and additional meeting rooms.
The final phases of the school’s master
plan will include a Student Center, and
ultimately a Fine Arts Center.
“This gift is a significant step forward
in reaching our capital campaign goal,
Sonny Hudson, Executive Director of the Levant Foundation, presents
the first installment of $1.8 million to the school.
monies that are needed to fulfill all
four phases of the school’s ambitious
master plan,” stated Head of School Dr.
Stephen Codrington. “We are deeply
grateful to The Levant Foundation for
their continued support of the school
and its educational mission.”
The Levant Foundation is a private,
non-profit organization committed
to the furthering of knowledge about
Middle Eastern culture and history
and the complex interrelations of the
three monotheistic religions born in
the Middle East: Christianity, Islam,
and Judaism. Operating in an increasingly diverse society, the Foundation
is committed to cooperation with universities, institutions of fine art, and
with religious and research institutions
to sponsor and fund artistic, academic
and educational programs. For more
information about The Levant Foundation, visit www.thelevantfoundation.
org.
Building for our Future
Awty’s Master Plan
long with our students, par-
A
is near completion and scheduled to
ents, and staff, Awty is proud
open in August 2012.
The second phase includes Lower
Teacher Leadership & Excellence Fund
our Future” Capital Campaign.
School building additions, a new Pre-
is being established. Through the es-
As the title suggests, this initiative
school Building, and a multi-level park-
tablishment of the Teacher Leadership
is dedicated to enhancing the educa-
ing garage. A portion of this second
and Excellence Fund, we have a much
tional experience for our children and
phase has already been implemented
needed opportunity to recognize our
dedicated to ensuring our school’s
as construction on the parking garage
faculty members.
bright future. The principal goal of this
began in March 2012. It, too, is sched-
The purpose of this fund is to honor
campaign is to significantly enhance
uled to open in August 2012. The five-
and motivate pedagogical excellence,
the building structures throughout
story, 174,000 square foot facility will
as well as to acknowledge outstanding
the campus, ultimately supporting an
offer 440 parking spaces, house the
contributions of longtime faculty and
open, diverse, and inclusive commu-
Maintenance and Facilities Depart-
staff who mentor and help develop ex-
nity.
ment, and facilitate a reorganized,
cellence in new teachers.
to announce the “Building for
Awty offers the highest quality of
safer carpool.
nity events.
Through this capital campaign, a
Attracting and retaining superior
learning, and with the success of this
The third phase includes a Student
professional educators is our best as-
campaign, our facilities will reflect our
Center. The Student Center will include
surance of maintaining and building
educational and community goals and
kitchen facilities, dining areas, a book
a superior education for our students.
ideals.
store, meeting rooms, classrooms,
Therefore, five percent of the total
study halls, and volunteer centers, all
funds raised for all phases of the capi-
of which would be centrally located.
tal campaign will go directly to this
It is time for us to make a great
school even better!
The capital objectives for Awty’s
Finally, the fourth phase includes a
long-range Master Plan includes four
Fine Arts Center. This center will house
phases. The first phase is The Levant
a theatre, studios, and classrooms, and
Foundation Classroom Building, which
will serve as a focal point for commu-
fund.
ACCENT 2011-2012 13
L e va n t F o u n d at i on
Building
C on s t r u c t ion of Aw t y ’s
N e w Pa r k i n g G a r a g e
C a r i bbe a n C a r n ava l
he festive spirit of the islands
was in the air during this year’s
gala, Caribbean Carnaval: A
Masquerade Ball. From the ornate
masks worn by many of our guests to
the dancers entertaining us with the
T
2012 Gala Chairs: Shelly Hendry, Kafi
Slaughter, and Gina Gaston Elie
exotic samba to lively music provided
by the steel drummers, it was a fun and
festive night for all! Schlumberger was
recognized for their corporate support
through the years, and Karen Waugh,
Awty’s Athletic Director was honored
for her 33 dedicated years of service at
Awty. The evening brought us together as a family and reminded us all of
what the Awty spirit truly represents.
Thank you to Gina Gaston Elie and
Mario Elie, Shelly and Brian Hendry, and
Kafi and Richard Slaughter for chairing
such an exceptional event; the gala
chairs and their wonderful gala committee members have worked very
hard this year to give us an evening to
remember. Also, a special thank you to
our board members for their leadership in this fundraising effort.
Many thanks to the sponsors and
underwriters, especially The Lester and
Sue Smith Foundation, Schlumberger,
TOTAL, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and
Rania and Jamal Daniel, who were our
lead sponsors for the evening.
The other sponsors for the event
included Red Red Wine in Jamaica
sponors Baker Hughes, Terry Giles
and Kalli O’Malley, The Meacham and
Pierce Families, and Vallourec & Mannesmann USA Corp.; and Is This Love in
St. Lucia? sponsors Air Liquide, Aramco
Services Company, Bailey Architects,
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., FMC Technologies, The Friedkin Group, Janice and
Robert Glaser, John Griffin, Chris and
Jennifer Hohman, Frances and Richard
Howard, Fayez Sarofim, Armanda and
Jorge Simon, Shell Oil Company, Sun
Coast Resources, Inc., Tellepsen, Tracy
McGrady Family Foundation, and Winfrey Design Build.
Couple sponsorships included David Adler and Christine Kirchner, April
and Kevin Bailey, Blanca and Anthony
Brock, Robert Brown and Dena Rafte,
Stephen Brown and Kathleen Schmeler, Charles Bunch and Lilia Khakimova,
Todd Colvard and Kelly Moneyhan,
Jane and Stephen Dabney, Annette
and John Eldridge, Ann and William
Esler, Nadia and Tarek Fahl, David
Franklin and Adrienne Brown-Franklin,
Monica and William Fulton, Karen and
David Haug, Liza and Robert Heintz,
Deborah and Christopher Helman,
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Patricia and
Robert Lunn, Karen and Michael Matthews, Jonathan Penchas, Joanne and
Greg Piper, Kimberly and Randy Randolph, Shannon and Alan Rechter, Ken
Scott and Stacey Jones, Vahid Shariatzadeh and Nessa Sanei, Maha and Jay
Shenaq, Jessika and Jeffrey Smith, Marie and Mark Smithard, Raffi Tcholackian and Meredith Philipp-Tcholakian,
Connie and John Turner, Adan Vega
and Gladys Herrera-Vega, Nicole and
Anthony West, Libbyette Wright and
Wendy Donald-Wright, and Karen and
Anthony Zamany.
Underwriters for the evening included Rania and Jamal Daniel (Cuisine), Gina Gaston Elie and Mario Elie
(Red Wine, Auction Software, and
Auction Décor), Rachel Brown (Invitations), Juliet Ellis (White Wine), Gardere
(Cocktail Reception), Richard H. Jefferis
and Valerie A. Longmire-Jefferis (Underwriters Reception), Mission Laïque
Française (Gala Auction Preview), Kafi
and Richard Slaughter (Special Entertainment), Willis of Texas, Inc. (Favors),
Winfrey Design Build (DJ), Dr. and Mrs.
Anthony Zamany (Valet Service), Awty
Rams Booster Club (Programs), Nadia and Tarik Fahl (Lighting), Jennifer
and Chris Hohman (Table Hosts Gifts)
Brown Hand Center (Signage), Fay and
Salim Zakhem (Carnaval Showgirls),
Shelly and Brian Hendry (Floor Show
Dancers), Sujata Venkatraman (Steel
Drummers), and Awty Alumni Parents
Association (Event Photographer).
Thank you to all who donated auction items and to the Awty families
who are hosting a sociable dinner
in their homes. We also appreciate
the teachers and parents who have
At this year’s gala, Athletic Director Karen Waugh was named the
Distinguished Faculty Honoree for her 33 years of dedicated service to Awty.
worked so hard to create the beautiful
Class Projects that were sold in the online auction. We raised over $115,000
in our online auction this year – thank
you to all who participated!
One highlight of the gala evening
included the opportunity to equip our
staff and faculty members with additional training and educational development. A special appeal was raised
during the live auction asking our
community to support this worthwhile
cause. If you were not able to participate, you can do so now by visiting
www.awty.org/devfund and completing the online form. Help us reach our
goal of $100,000.
Because of the generosity and support of the Awty community, we raised
over $455,000 at this year’s gala. Thank
you for making this a fun, festive, and
memorable evening for Awty!
From the bottom of our hearts,
THANK YOU!
ACCENT 2011-2012 17
C a r i bbe a n C a r n ava l
Lester Smith and Sue Smith
Jay Harpole and Kerry Harpole
Shamaine Pleczko and Richard Pleczko
Patrick Schorn represents Schlumberger as it is recognized as the Corporate Honoree by Dr. Stephen Codrington.
Tiffany Avery-Smith and Rick Smith, Bianca Brock and Anthony Brock, and Anthony West and Nicole West
Monica Fulton and William Fulton
David Best and Sheri McDonald
Dancers Michael Blanco and Jessica Cubelli
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, February 23, 2013
InterContinental Houston
Janice Glaser & Nadia Tajalli
Co-Chairs
Annual Fund Success
gift to the Annual Fund is the
A
this the best year ever.
we ask of each family every
nual Fund would not have been pos-
Nathalie and Serge Heidrich, Cath-
year. Your gift matters. Your participa-
sible without the help of wonderful
erine Houy, Corinne Rochette, Gina
tion matters.
volunteers. The Chairs of the Annual
Pavon, Lydia Pfeiffer, Jill Munk, Laeti-
The Annual Fund helps Awty attract
Fund were Marie Louise and Bruno
tia Joubert, Marie-Laure Bocabarteille,
top-notch international faculty, makes
Jardin, Aimee and Tyler Flood, Jill
Lorraine Talbot, Amelie Ferreira, Lucia
it possible for the school to upgrade
Munk, Suneeta and Raj Rangwani, and
Warden, Catherine Corcoran, and Ma-
and expand technology in classrooms,
Corinne Rochette.
rie-Louise Jardin.
the French Bilingual Section included
first and most important gift
The success of the 2011-2012 An-
Anne-Sophie Lucquin, Sabine Juèry,
maintain school facilities, and much,
The class reps for the International
The faculty and staff reps for this
Section included April and Kevin Bai-
year included Fran Eastwood, John
A gift to the Annual Fund is an in-
ley, Bridget and Mark Matthes, Andrea
Hoye, Jeff Page, Karine Pousset, Sonia
vestment in Awty and therefore an
and Kevin Toledano, Linda Shephard,
Richi, Randall Seymour, Gina Sharman,
investment in the academic success of
Iliana and John Haddad, Ruby and
and Catherine Sovany.
your child. When you support the An-
Joe Dang, Mariella De Biasi and John
Thank you to each and every one of
nual Fund, you help Awty provide the
Dani, Rossana Palomino and Nicho-
you for your dedication to Awty and
first class multi-cultural, multi-lingual
las Patrick, Kelly Moneyhan and Todd
the Annual Fund!
international school experience you
Colvard, Donna and Brian Oakley,
desire for your children’s education.
Joke and Thieleman Versteeg, Marsha
And by making an Annual Fund gift,
and Aart Schenau, Karen and Michael
you are not only investing in Awty’s
Matthews, Mary and Mark Schroeder,
present and future, you are also show-
Karen Joyce and Daniel Marie, Pam
ing our corporate and foundation part-
and Greg Wellen, and Lana Billeaud
ners a vote of confidence, and helping
and John McGinnis. The class reps for
much more.
- Reema Kasavich
Associate Director of Annual Fund
to ensure that Awty receives support
from them.
The Annual Fund, as of May 15, raised
$567,755 and we have had the highest
participation ever. We achieved 100%
participation from our faculty and staff
members, 87% participation from our
current parents, and 100% participation from the Board of Trustees. Our
PK3 and 1st Grade International Sections both reached 100% class participation. Thank you to each and every
Kindergarten students from Jan Case’s, Anne-Gaelle
Josselin’s, and Elise Devesa’s classes.
person who participated and made
ACCENT 2011-2012 21
Alex Forrest, Class of 1997, received the Distinguished Alumni
Award at the Alumni Jazz Brunch on November 13, 2011.
Awty Alumni
DIVERSE. GLOBAL. SUCCESSFUL.
The Awty Alumni Association and the Awty Alumni Parents Association continue to grow each year
and establish various events, bringing both former students and former parents back to Awty. The
Awty Alumni Association’s mission is to create incentive for involvement for all alumni through
continuity of traditions, opportunities for connections, and regular communication. This year, the
Alumni Association hosted the Alumni Jazz Brunch during Homecoming Weekend, as well as three
satellite happy hours, one in London, one in Paris, and one in New York City.
The Mission of the Awty Alumni Parents Association (AAPA) is to support Awty, reconnect with old
friends, and make new friends through events during the year. This year, the AAPA established a
Global Society, a membership organization within the AAPA that funds the group’s yearly activities, which are presented free of charge. The AAPA events this year included the Homecoming Wine
& Cheese, Cocktails and Care Packages, A Toast to Awty: International Wine Tasting, and the Global
Society Dinner.
Alumni News
here are they now? Who
is getting married? Who
had a baby? Who received a promotion? Who moved back
to Houston and who is living abroad?
Catch up on all the latest Awty Alumni
news...
W
Stéphane Ruz (Class of 1985) and
Claire Jaubert Ruz (Class of 1993)
are moving to Casablanca, Morocco,
this summer. Stéphane has been appointed as Director of the Casablanca
American School, and Claire will be
teaching at the school. Their two
daughters (8 and 10) will also attend
the school.
Ali Naraghi (1991) has expanded
the international exposure he experienced at Awty to live, study, and work
throughout the US, Europe, and Central America. Trained as an architect
and practicing as a real estate developer and investor, he currently manages a real estate fund and advisory firm
and lives in New York City, where he is a
Senior Consultant to a European based
development firm. Ali remains in touch
with many of his classmates who are
spread throughout the world, including Niels Leikvang who lives in the
New York area and Richard Nasraoui
who resides in Beirut, Lebanon. The excellent education he obtained and the
people he had the pleasure of meeting
at Awty have been invaluable to his
outlook, opportunities, and successes.
As an alumnus, he hopes to contribute
in preserving this commitment to an
excellent educational experience as
Arnaud DeBuyl, Class of 1996, with his wife Andrea
and sons Lucas (age 6) and Alexander (age 4).
the school continues to grow.
Arnaud De Buyl (1996) is currently
living in Katy and running a dental
practice in Cinco Ranch. He is married
and has two kids, Lucas (6) and Alexander (4). He still plays soccer every
week and stays active in his local community.
Alexander Forrest (1997) continues to live in Houston, Texas, where
he practices law at Forrest, Kolodny,
& O’Neill, LLP. Although Alex focuses
his practice on personal injury litigation, his firm also practices regulatory
and transactional law, representing
various Houston businesses. Notably,
his firm advises the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), a nonprofit organization selected
by NASA to manage the International
Space Station (ISS). He is also a very
active alumni, working on the Awty
Alumni Board and attending alumni
and alumni parent events regularly.
He enjoys cycling and plans to train for
the MS-150 in 2013.
Hesam Panahi (2000) and Lina
Aranovich (2000) are now happily
married and live in Houston. Lina is
currently the Export Compliance Coordinator at National Oilwell Varco, and
Hesam is a Clinical Assistant Professor
in Management Information Systems
at the University of Houston. They continue to stay in touch with other Class
of 2000 alumni.
Karina Richardson (2000) is the coartistic director of Proximity Theatre
Company, which allows her to spend
her summers acting in Santa Barbara.
She spends the rest of the year in New
York City, writing plays behind a receptionist desk and happily endeavoring
in artistic pursuits whenever she can.
Jacques Weber (2000) is the IB DP
Coordinator at the British International
School of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Having
failed to escape the IB, he works as an
IB teacher, examiner, trainer, and consultant for new IB schools. He is working towards his PhD in International
Education, which seems very far, far
away.
Abeer Al Attar (2002) and her husband Fawad Khan welcomed their first
child on November 10, 2011, a boy
named Dean.
Iker Domingo (2003) became engaged on March 30, 2012 to his fiancé
Lorena Gonzalez.
Kiara Domingo (2004) has accepted a job at Accenture in Houston as a
change management consultant.
Jennie Howard (2004) graduated
cum laude from American University’s
Washington College of Law in May
2011, and accepted a job with Andrews
Kurth LLP in Houston as an Associate in
the firm’s corporate law department.
Robert W. Mark (2004) graduated
from Davidson College with a BA in
Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic
Language Arts (Class of 2008). After
college he enlisted in the U.S. Army,
completed boot camp and Officer Candidate School, and is now a 1st Lieutenant in Military Intelligence. His first
posting was in Barstow, CA, running
a language development center for
Army Intelligence translators, teaching native Arabic speakers the dialects
they will need for deployment. He is
currently stationed in Washington and
about to deploy on his first tour to Afghanistan.
T. Jared Mark (2004) graduated
from Vanderbilt University with a BE
in Chemical Engineering. He got married in June 2011. He moved back to
Houston from Nashville in 2010 and he
is currently working as a Project Engineer for FloaTEC, an offshore engineering contractor for oil & gas platforms.
Eric S. Namtvedt (2004) completed
college in Norway and served his mandatory military service in the Norwegian Navy. He moved back to Houston
in 2010 and is working for an extension
of the Norwegian consulate, called Innovation Norway, which focuses on
providing growth opportunities for
Norwegian companies in the U.S. markets.
Rusi Patel (2004) graduated from
the University of Texas in Austin with a
degree in engineering (Class of 2008).
Out of school, he took a drilling engineering job at BP. He recently got married on April 14, 2012 to Diksha Luthra.
He is currently working at a new job at
BHP Billiton as a drilling engineer.
Laura Avila (2005) was recently
promoted to Senior Analyst in Corporate Social Responsibility at Fossil.
Patrick Offner (2006) graduated
from the University of Chicago in June
2010, with a degree in Economics and
a second in International Studies. He
currently resides in Chicago and is an
Experienced Associate within PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ advisory practice. He
has been spending time in both Dallas
and Argentina, managing a team of international clients.
Alia Heintz (2008) is graduating
from Vassar this May with honors in
both Economics and Psychology.
Alec Leverette (2008) was recently
interviewed on Fox News in Los Angeles for the work he has been doing
in the rocket lab at the University of
Southern California.
Barley Halton (2010) is spending
this semester doing an internship in
Zwaziland with Baylor International
Pediatrics Aids Initiative.
Carissa Mark (2011) is currently attending Texas A&M University and intends to major in Chemical Engineering like her big brother. She is active in
student organizations and is enjoying
the college life, continuing with Awty’s
tradition of academic excellence as an
overachiever.
We love hearing from our
alums and we love celebrating
your joys and triumphs! We
want to hear from you! If you are
an Awty Alum and have some fun
and exciting news (awards,
honors, updates, marriages,
births, celebrations, etc.) you
would like to share with the
Awty Community, contact Reema
Kasavich in the Advancement
Department at 713-328-5816
or by email at rkasavich@awty.
org. Be sure to also check out
the Awty Alumni Association on
Facebook and ask to join.
ACCENT 2011-2012 25
Alumni Jazz Brunch
he 2011 Alumni Jazz Brunch
was held on November 13 at
the Junior League of Houston. Three honorees were recognized
for the dedication to Awty including
Mrs. Rebecca Johnson, Dr. Jean-Luc
Detchessahar, and Mr. Alex Forrest.
Mrs. Rebecca Johnson was honored
with the award of Distinguished Faculty Member - International Section
for 2011-2012. For the past 31 years,
she has contributed to Awty both as a
teacher and as an advisor to hundreds
of students. As the Art Department
Chair, she has given countless hours
of time helping with the Lower School
plays, designing a billboard and other
important marketing materials to help
spread the school’s message, sponsoring the Double Exposure yearbook
for 23 years, decorating every year’s
Christmas trees for the annual lighting
of the tree, and volunteering to be an
integral part of planning proms, graduations, and many graduation banquets. Her art students have received
numerous awards, both within the
school’s TAPPS district, as well as at the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The Awty Alumni Association is grateful for all the help she has given to her
countless students and many faculty
members.
Dr. Jean-Luc Detchessahar was honored with the award of Distinguished
Faculty Member - French Section for
2011-2012. As a respected teacher
who has provided his time and expertise for 23 years at Awty and as an accomplished writer, Dr. Detchessahar
T
has been instrumental to the growth
and development of the French Section at The Awty International School.
His contribution to the school goes
well beyond the minimum of what is
expected of his duties. As a teacher
in both the Middle School and Upper School, he has instilled passion
and love for the French language and
the art of philosophy. He has inspired
many students to reason, to think in
a logical manner, and to urge them
to evaluate opinions. He pushed students to think outside the box and to
get to the heart of the matter. Students
will always remember the confidence
and encouragement he passed on
and his highly-effective teaching skills
are reflective of the excellent quality
of education that is offered at Awty.
He is well regarded by his colleagues,
and his constructive opinion and positive attitude are always appreciated.
The administrators, the teachers, and
the students who have met him and
worked with him recognize the value
of his influence to the school and are
indebted to his service. He has been a
friend and a mentor for many people
and we look forward to many more
years. The Awty Alumni Association
would like to recognize the numerous
accomplishments he has achieved,
and helped the students achieve, as a
member of our community.
Mr. Alex Forrest, Class of 1997, was
honored with the award of Distinguished Alumni for 2011-2012. Having
contributed to the school both as a
long-term student starting in Kindergarten and leaving as a graduating senior, and as an esteemed alumnus who
is entirely responsible for the growing
influence of the Awty Alumni Board,
Alex has proven to be a valuable asset
both to the school and to its alumni.
He has become the voice of our alumni
community, and for that, the Awty
Alumni Association is forever grateful. Both the school and the countless
alumni who have begun to become
more involved with the school’s future
are indebted to Alex for his service to
the Alumni Association as President of
the Alumni Board. Though he certainly
had a busy career to juggle while serving as President, his hard work and
dedication to the Alumni was unparalleled. The alumni can always count on
Alex to show up, to put in time, and to
persuade any alum with his endless
positive energy and warmth. The Awty
Alumni Association extends to Alex
a warm congratulations, and sincere
thanks, for the numerous accomplishments he has achieved, and helped the
alumni achieve, as a member of the
Awty community.
Ali Clear (2004), Khaled Al Attar (2004), John Weatherly (1994), and Garrett Johnson (2001)
The Offner Family:
Patrick (2006), Jerome, Alexis (2003), and Kathleen
Allison Lorenzo (1985), Zena Majdalani (1994),
Marcelle Gharibeh, and Nouhad Majdalani.
ACCENT 2011-2012 27
Valérie Hardoin-Mullins (1996) and Lil Anne Smith (1980)
A l u m n i Pa r e n t s
ver the last year, the Awty
Alumni Parents Association has continued to grow,
hosting various events for Awty alums
and alumni parents.
On Friday, November 11, prior to the
Homecoming game, the Awty Alumni
Parents Association (AAPA) welcomed
several past parents and alumni back
to campus at the annual Awty Alumni
Parents Association Wine &
Cheese Reception. The event
was well attended and provided an opportunity for
alums to visit with some of
their favorite teachers and
old friends. Special thanks
to the Host Committee: Liza
and Robert Heintz, Chairs,
Alberte and Edouard Gajewski, Nancy
and James Hamilton, Elizabeth and
Myall Hawkins, Nelly and Michael McCright, Brian O’Donnell, Joana and
Demetrio Tagaropulos, and Amarilis
Vega, MD. Thank you also to the Alumni Parents Board: Kathleen Offner,
Brigitte Fornage, Lin Leverette, Isolda
Celeghin, Sheri Khatami, Diana Meyer,
Sally Miller, Cheryl Fee, Liza Heintz, Patricia Lunn, and Shaun Schindewolf.
At the end of November, the AAPA
continued the care package tradition
with Cocktails and Care Packages. Several alumni parents gathered together
on November 29 and spent the evening assembling care packages for
all the Awty Alums who are currently
college freshmen (Awty Class of 2011)
and sophomores (Awty Class of 2010).
Special thanks to Shaun Schindewolf,
O
the chair of the event.
On February 23, more than 125
guests had a grand time tasting different wines from around the world at
the AAPA’s second A Toast to Awty: International Wine Tasting. Master Sommelier Guy Stout conducted the wine
tasting and educated the guests about
each wine. The eight wines included
Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noir from
Napa Valley, California, Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio from Tuscany, Italy,
Ch Larose Trintaudon Haut Medoc
from Bordeaux, France, Chateau de
Sancerre from Loire, France, Slingshot
Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley,
California, Brennan Vineyards Viognier
from Comanche, Texas, Terrazas Malbec Reserve from Mendoza, Argentina,
and Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto from
Piedmont region, Italy.
At the end of the evening, guests
were given the opportunity to purchase these wines for their personal
wine cellar or for the Awty wine cellar
that was auctioned off at this year’s
gala. Proceeds from the event benefited the Awty Alumni Parents Association.
The school would like to thank both
Master Sommelier Guy Stout for con-
ducting the wine tasting and Elegant
Events by Michael Nee for catering the
event and providing delicious hors
d’œuvres perfect for each wine. Special
thanks are also sent to the Alumni Parents host committee who coordinated
the event including Patricia and Robert Lunn, Belal Atiyyah and Farah Killidar, Gaynor and Tony Banham, Annette
and John Eldridge, Lisa and Hermen
Key, and Ursula Münzel.
The AAPA ended the year
with a dinner for the Global
Society members at Hotel
Zaza. The Global Society, a
membership organization
within the AAPA, funds the
group’s yearly activities
which are presented free
of charge including the Wine & Cheese
reception at Homecoming and Cocktails and Care Packages. This special
membership is available to all Alumni
Parents at the annual cost of $50 per
individual and $100 per couple. If you
would like to join the Global Society,
contact Reema Kasavich in the Advancement Department at 713-3285816 or by email at rkasavich@awty.
org. You can also complete the online
form at www.awty.org/GlobalSocietyRegistration.
We hope you will join us at a future
AAPA event and come back to Awty!
Reconnect with other former parents
you’ve missed and thought about over
the years. Come back and relive those
great memories with your Awty family!
Liza Heintz, Kat Blanco, Diana Meyer, Sally Miller, Debbie Halton, Brigitte Fornage,
Lin Leverette, Tatiana Keremidchiev, Kathleen Offner, and Sheri Khatami
Shaun Schindewolf, Elizabeth Hawkins, and Liza Heintz
Pat Lunn and Bob Lunn
Clarice Motter and Thomas Motter
Ada Naab, a 5th grade student in Mrs. Jessika Smith’s
class studies a specimen during science.
Primary School
FUN. CREATIVE. ENERGETIC.
PRIMARY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP:
Mr. Stanley Way, Head of Primary School
Mrs. Tita Cubria, Deputy Head of Primary School
& Primary School Spanish Program Coordinator
Mrs. Karine Pousset, Director of French Primary Education
PRIMARY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
• Summer Readers Pizza Party
• Lire en Fête
• Thanksgiving
• La Galette des Rois / La Rosca de Reyes
• Lower School Spelling Bee
• Go Texan Day
• Mardi Gras Parade
• Field Days
• Grade Level Music Performances
Dr. Stephen Codrington performs a magic trick.
5th Graders Tara Amine and Joy Backlas
Summer Readers Pizza Party
The Summer Readers Pizza Party with Dr. Codrington and Monsieur Maizia was
held on Friday, September 9, 2011. Nearly 100 students from Grades 2-5 were in attendance this year. Each student enjoyed several slices of pizza, soda, and a cookie. They also received a “Fantastic Reader” pencil from the librarians. During the
party, Dr. Codrington entertained the students and showed them a magic trick.
The Awty Summer Reading Program is designed to encourage reading for pleasure. In order to receive an invitation to the pizza party, students in 2nd grade
were required to read 26 books over the summer while 3rd grade students were
required to read 25 books. Students in 4th grade were required to read a minimum of 1,700 pages while 5th grade students were required to read a minimum
of 2,500 pages.
Eleni Zabaneh, CE2
2nd Graders Christopher Wolff and Zareh Malkhassian
Congratulations to all of our summer readers!
2nd Graders Peyton Tcholakian and Abigail Hendry
Teddy Bear Picnic
he PK-4/MS students kicked
T
to the Teddy Bear Picnic including Dr.
Social Studies and Science Curriculum
off their first International
Codrington, Mr. Way, and Mrs. Tita.
of the Pre-School and Lower School.
Primary Curriculum (IPC) unit
The children continued this unit
The IPC is taught through units or
called “Bears” in September with a
into November, and they explored
themes, specific to each grade, which
Teddy Bear Picnic. The children each
both teddy bears and storybook bears.
encompass both individual and group
brought a teddy bear from home to
The students ended the unit learning
work, thus preparing students to live
join them at the picnic. They started
about real bears—their habitats, food
and work in the 21st century. The phi-
their adventure by “Going on a Bear
sources, and where bears can be found
losophy of “independence and inter-
Hunt” and then graphing the teddy
around the world.
dependence” runs through each of the
bears by color. They ended the picnic
with Teddy Bear shaped sandwiches.
Several special guests were invited
The International Primary Curricu-
IPC units.
lum (IPC) was launched in 2003-2004
and now plays an integral role in the
Pierce Winfrey, MS, Chloe Turner, PK-4,
and An-Nghi Nguyen, MS
Thorsten Pfeiffer, MS, and Dr. Codrington
David Hardman, PK-4
Léa Coustures, MS
ACCENT 2011-2012 33
Lire en FÊte
eeping with tradition, October was “Lire en Fête” (a celebration of books and reading)
in the Lower School Library.
Teachers, staff, and parents were invited to visit the Lower School Library
and read a story or share a favorite
book with the students. Guest readers
during Lire en Fête included Rayyan
Amine, Diana Armentor, Uzma Babar,
Guy Benet, Tom Beuscher, Faye Bouazzouz, Grant Caplan, Penny Cleveland,
K
Delphine Collard, Mathilde Duprieu,
Michael Edwards, Julie Fete, Suneeta
Rangwani, and Stanley Way. The students enjoyed hearing all the great
stories that were shared.
Many thanks to all who volunteered
and shared their love for reading. The
students enjoyed hearing all of the
wonderful stories you shared with
them.
Since its creation in 1989 in France,
Lire en Fête has become immensely
popular and it is now celebrated in
French populations worldwide. At it’s
core, Lire en Fête is designed to cultivate a love for reading and to appeal
to one’s imagination through books.
Sharing a story or book with a child
encourages them to become avid
readers, and reading significantly increases a child’s potential for academic
success, as well as lifelong success in
general.
Mr. Way and 2nd Grade Students
Mrs. Collard and CE1 Students
Mrs. Cleveland and 2nd Grade Students
Mr. Beuscher and 1st Grade Students
Mr. Way and Mrs. Tita
CM2 Teacher Michael Flanet surrounded by admiring students.
A Thanksgiving Feast
Primary School students received a special Thanksgiving treat on Friday, November 18, 2011.
The Lower School students feasted on turkey and dressing, sweet potatoes, green
beans, and much more. This special lunch was made possible by Chef Tim, Sage
Dining, and the APPA. The room parents were on hand to decorate the Globe, help
serve the students during lunch, and hand out headbands with feathers. During
lunch, Mr. Way and Mrs. Tita, who were dressed for the occasion as a pilgrim and a
Native American, taught the students the origins of Thanksgiving.
Devan Kalra, Kinder
The Preschool students also celebrated Thanksgiving in the afternoon. The PK-3/
PS students shared a snack together, the PK-4/MS students gathered together for
storytime, and the Kinder/GS students sang songs, explained how they made fruit
turkeys, showed off their artwork, and shared a snack together.
Kindergartners Runvir Nibber, Connie
Sun, and Nicole Young
4th Graders Tarek Shenaq and
Mohammed Alawami
Galette & Rosca
n Friday, January 6, the
Primary School students
celebrated “La Galette des
Rois” and “La Rosca de Reyes,” by decorating crowns, gathering together to
enjoy the delicious Galette and Rosca,
and coloring pictures of the three Wise
Men.
For several years students in the
French Bilingual Section have celebrated “La Galette des Rois” while the
Spanish students in the International
Section have celebrated “La Rosca de
Reyes”. Both traditions are very dear to
each culture and its people; therefore,
this school year, all Primary School students had the opportunity to learn,
experience, and share these traditions
together.
O
On January 6 each year, the Feast
of the Three Kings, “l’Epiphanie” or “la
Fête des Rois” is celebrated. On this
day, Christians commemorate the visit
of the Three Kings (“les Rois Mages”)
to the infant Christ. The Three Wise
men, following a bright star, came to
visit the infant Jesus with wonderful
gifts: gold, incense, and myrrh. For this
celebration, a special cake called “la
Galette des Rois” is eaten. The “Galette”
is a flat, shiny round of puff pastry filled
with “frangipane”, an almond cream. A
figurine, “la fève”, is hidden in this cake.
Whoever finds it in his or her piece of
cake is king or queen for the day.
Similarly, in most of the Spanish
speaking countries, the Catholic community commemorates the visit of
Talia Cohen-Fette, CE2, and Helin Deliormanli, 3rd Grade
Three Wise Men (Los Tres Reyes Magos) to infant Jesus. The tradition is
very similar to the one celebrated by
the French community with one difference, the Three Wise Men bring toys/
gifts to the children. In Spain and in
Mexico, they have “La Rosca de Reyes”
which is a cake shaped like a doughnut. In Mexico, inside the “Rosca” you
can find a baby doll which represents
baby Jesus. The person who gets the
baby becomes the “godparent” of baby
Jesus for that year and on February 2,
“día de la Candelaria,” this person has
a party where he/she dresses up baby
Jesus and serves tamales and hot
chocolate. Long ago, the people from
Spain used to put silver coins in the
cake.
Mrs. Tita with some of the Preschool Students celebrating La Rosca de Reyes and La Galette des Rois.
Delara Shadfar, MS
Rosca de Reyes
Romit Kundagrami, 2nd Grade
Sabrina Rangwani and
Eric Aase, 4th Graders
Mr. Stan Way, Sherwin Rasekh, CM2, Adriana
Morales, 5th Grade, Mrs. Mary Herendeen
Lower School Spelling Bee
The 4th Grade/CM1 and 5th Grade/CM2 students participated in the Lower School
Spelling Bee on Monday, January 9.
The winner in 5th Grade was Sherwin Rasekh and the runner-up was Adriana Morales. Sherwin correctly spelled soliloquy to win the contest. In 4th Grade, the winner was Eric Aase and the runner-up was Sabrina Rangwani. Eric correctly spelled
synopsis to win the contest.
Congratulations to these students! All four students did a fantastic job and represented the Lower School as they competed with the Middle School students in
Awty’s Annual 4th-8th Grade Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 12.
5th Graders Quinn Casey
and Sébastien Chenin
5th Graders Aida Khedr, Raunak Kundagrami, Emily Niemer, and Aliya Gosdin
4th Graders Alejandro de la Morena
and Mohammed Alawami
Go Te xan Day
ee Haw! Every Primary School
Y
The Preschool students got up close
Rob the Roper and enjoying story time
student was a Texan on Feb-
and personal with several furry crit-
inside an authentic teepee. They also
ruary 9 as they showed their
ters from Marsha’s Petting Zoo includ-
learned a little history of the cowboy
Lone Star Pride and celebrated Go Tex-
ing chickens, goats, rabbits, a llama, a
boot, cowboy hat, and cattle brand-
an Day. The students looked every bit
duck, and some baby pigs. They also
ing. Finally, the 4th/CM1 and 5th/CM2
the part donning their favorite west-
took turns riding the ponies.
graders attended a special presenta-
ern wear including straw hats, cowboy
The Primary School students also
tion of Once Upon a Texas by Brian
boots, belt buckles, bandanas, and
enjoyed learning about longhorns,
Burns in the Globe, where they heard
more. They spent a fun day learning
armadillos, wolves, and buzzards from
the history of Texas through story and
all about the Lone Star State, explor-
Ralph Fisher. Screams of “excitement”
song.
ing traditions and customs unique to
could be heard as the students learned
Texas, and discovering animals native
about snakes and lizards. The students
to the state.
took turns learning rope tricks from
Steven Harris, PK-3
2nd Graders Isabella Chamma and Isabella Ruiz
Overall, the students and teachers
had a rootin’ tootin’ good time!
Rob the Roper and Laetitia Malard, CE2
Nathaniel Black, PK-4
ACCENT 2011-2012 39
Field Days
ower School students enjoyed
two days of fun and excitement
during Field Day 2012. The 1st
and 2nd graders competed on Thursday, February 23 while the 3rd, 4th,
and 5th graders took their turn on Friday, February 24.
The opening ceremony was held
on Thursday morning as all of the students paraded into the stadium and
around the track. Two students from
each grade then participated in the
torch relay including 1st grade/CP stu-
L
Zareh Malkhassian, 2nd Grade
dents Thea Wilson and Guillaume Novoa-Gueneau, 2nd grade/CE1 students
Leila Jefarzadeh and Arthur Beille, 3rd
grade/CE2 students Layla McGrady
and Romain Roussel, 4th grade/CM1
students Vivienne Alten and Zane Tannir, and 5th grade/CM2 students Alice MacDonald and William Orht. The
teachers then teamed up and competed against each other in the obstacle
course. Finally, Mr. Way declared “Let
the games begin.”
Each grade level participated in
eight different competitions including speed race, sack race, long jump
contest, throwing contest, obstacle
course, relay race, scooter race, and
bounce/jump rope race. The winners
in the speed race, sack race, and relay
race then competed in the finals. Each
day ended with a friendly competition
of tug-of-war. Lots of fun was had by
all!
The 3rd Graders compete in a friendly game of tug-of-war during Field Day.
4th Grade/CM1 Students Cerine Hamida,
Kenady Scott, and Nolwenn Rozé
5th Grade/CM2 Students Ananya Govindan,
Camille Joubert, and Luciano L’Abbate
Jill Fulton, 1st Grade
Isabel Bunn, PK-4
Ethan Bianco, PK-4
Mardi Gras Parade
The Preschoolers celebrated Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) with a parade through campus on February 21, 2012.
As they traipsed through the campus, each student donned Mardi Gras beads and
either a colorful mask, hat, or tie they created themselves during class time. Many
of the students also carried hand-crafted noise makers to bring the festive sounds
of Mardi Gras to life.
Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” and is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. There is a carnival season that usually begins the day of Epiphany and ends on
the Tuesday before Lent. Popular activities include wearing masks and costumes,
dancing, parades, eating King Cake, and throwing beads.
Louis Elvezi, GS
Emiliano Capitanachi Gauthy and Clémentine Beille, PS Students
Juliette Prost, GS
Moon & Mars
n Thursday, March 22, 2012,
O
comparing them to Earth.
with labeled features for each.
omy Club treated the 3rd
and slide show of the surface of Earth,
student was treated to M&Ms! As they
Grade International Students to M&M
the Moon, and Mars. The 3rd Graders
applauded their Upper School Astron-
Science.
were surprised by the similarities of the
omy Club mentors, many 3rd Graders
Prior to this, the 3rd Graders were
features on these celestial bodies to
were heard exclaiming, “M&M Science is
discovering “The Active Planet” and
Earth’s including ridges, valleys, craters,
SWEET!” Third Grade thinks the Astron-
learning about the structure of the
and volcanoes. After the group presen-
omy Club Seniors John Ellis, Guilhem
Earth with its transforming earthquakes
tation and question and answer time,
Hack, Jonathan Freeman, Julian Hoh-
and volcanoes. They were enlightened
students returned to their homerooms
rath, Jennifer Iriarte, Catherine Idylle,
and entertained by their Upper School
with members of the Astronomy Club as
Andrew Blumfield, Aida Iriarte, and Mrs.
friends from the Astronomy Club who
directors and helpers, to make their own
Lisa Sload, their sponsor, really ROCK!
presented the surface of the Moon and
Play-dough representations of the sur-
Mars, exploring the features of each and
faces of Mars and the Moon, complete
The Upper School Astron-
The presentation began with a talk
At the conclusion of the activity, each
Astronomy Club and 3rd Grade Students
Astronomy Students and
Mrs. Clarke-Douglas’ Class
- Susan Permenter
3rd Grade Teacher
Maialen Juery, Langston Jackson,
and Krishna Bikkina
Astronomy Club and 3rd Grade Students
ACCENT 2011-2012 43
Music Performances
nce again, the budding
young talent of Awty’s Primary School students has
been showcased in the grade level
music performances that were held
during the year. These delightful performances were directed and choreographed by Mrs. Natasha Ramirez, Mr.
Hervé Duclos, and Ms. Zulfia Finigan.
Under their guidance, approximately
8-10 musical performances are held
each school year.
This year’s performance season began in December when the PK-3/PS
and PK-4/MS students entertained
family and friends with their rendition of The Nutcracker Story. The music
used during the performance included
March, Jai d’mande au Per Noel, Alegria,
Mice, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Battle,
Snowflake Dance, Winter Fantasy, Sugar Plum Fairies and Elves, Jingle Bells,
Chocolate Dance, Chocolate, Tea Dance,
Petite Garcon, Prince and Marie, and Is
It Time Yet?. At the end of the performance, the Sugar Plum Fairy from the
Land of Sweets came to visit all of the
good boys and girls!
In January, the 3rd Grade/CE2 students traveled the globe when they
delivered Around the World in 40 Minutes. They performed eleven songs including Les Acadiens (French Settlers in
Americas: Acadians in Canada, Cajuns
in Louisiana); La flor de la canela (Peru);
Une fenetre ouverte (Brazil); Siyahamba
(South Africa); Zum Gali Gali (Israel); La
jument de Michao (France); Ensemble
O
(France); Twee emmetjes water halen
(The Netherlands); Hot Cross Buns &
Merrily We Roll Along (England); The
Kids of the U.S.A. (USA); and Partners
You and I.
The 4th Grade/CM1 students rocked
it out in February when they performed Let’s Rock and Roll! Wearing
poodle skirts, cat eye sunglasses, and
sequin ties, the students took the audience back to the 50’s era. They showcased their rock and roll talents on 12
songs including Quand la musique est
bonne, Armstrong, Rock and Roll Blues,
Blue Suede Shoes, Harley Rock, Surfin’
USA, Dactylo Rock, Rommelruimrocker,
La chanson du loup, El gato rockanrolero, Africa, and Rock and Roll is Here
to Stay.
In early March, the 2nd Grade/CE1
students went to the core of Awty’s
mission when they presented A Better You, A Better Me. The songs they
performed included La croisade des
enfants, Iedereen is anders, Expect Respect, J’aime les mots, Le hérisson, Hola
Amigos!, I Will Care for You, Love Somebody, Y’en a assez pour tout le monde,
The CitizenSHIP, On a tous une place au
soleil, and A Better You, A Better Me.
Later that same month, the 1st
Grade/CP students shined during their
performance of Wild Things. Dressed
as zoo animals, the students sang Le
furet, Animal Limbo, Alouette, La patita
Lulu, La mere Michelle, Never Polka with
the Porcupine, Promenons nous dans les
bois, Hippo Hop, Ah les crocodiles, Go
Ape!, and Le rock des gallinacés. The students closed the show by using hand
bells to perform the last song, Three
Fast Mice.
At the end of the school year in May,
both the Kindergarten/GS and 5th
Grade/CM2 students will give a special musical performance during their
graduation ceremonies.
All of these performances would not
have been possible without the help
of the teachers, aides, and some key
parent volunteers. On behalf of the
Primary School students, thank you for
giving them the opportunity to experience the performing arts.
2nd Grade Students
4th Graders Zoey Slaughter, Deanna Rassoli, Yasminne
Abba-Kaka, Kyle Pierce, and Isabel Matthews-Elston
Juan Diego Lechin, 1st Grade
Laycee McGrady, PK-3
The Middle School Choir performs “Will There Really be a
Morning?” at the Fall Concert on October 21.
Middle School
GROWING. CURIOUS. LIVELY.
MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP:
Mr. Tom Beuscher, Head of Middle School
MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
• Bingo & Bears
• Geography Bee
• 2012 Spelling Bee
• Don Quijote de la Mancha
• Big Bend XXIV
• 12 Angry Men
• Green & Gold Fun Day
Alyah Hijar, 8th Grade and
Cleia Bonnassies, 4ème
6th Graders Hector Acevedo, Mitchell Griffiths, Joseph Dunkin,
Rhett Cai, Kevin Hardman, and Mohamed Hamza
Bingo & Bears
Created in 2007 by Mrs. Kneale Culbreath, Bingo & Bears has become an annual
tradition and a fast favorite among the students.
Each December, the Middle School office asks each student to donate a teddy
bear. The teddy bears serve as their entry into the popular bingo game, which
is held on the last day before the Christmas holidays. The students then spend a
couple of hours playing several rounds of bingo.
This year, they played for fun, and sometimes silly, prizes like games, basketballs,
soccer balls, art supplies, frisbees, playdough, bubble gum, and more. The grand
prizes included a gift card for a pair of custom Converse (Winner - Rhett Cai), free
dress for the winning grade (Winner - 8th Grade), and a pizza party for the winning
advisory (Winner - Crystal Frommert’s advisory).
Hannah Isaksen, 8th Grade
The teddy bears that were collected were then distributed to various charities
here in Houston.
4ème Students Claire Daniault, Clara Dubois, Chloe Rochette, Mikaela
Manoogian, Vincent Valès, Celeste Lugtmeijer, and Alexandre Marcos
Teddy Bear
Geography Bee
he city of Scranton is known
T
School finalists answered as they com-
Zhang (6th grade).
for a museum devoted to an-
peted for the title of school champion
After a few rounds of competition,
thracite coal mining in which
during the annual Geography Bee on
Arnav Kak and Nicolas Motta battled
state? Pennsylvania. Seneca, Cayuga,
Friday, January 20, 2012.
it out in a final round. Ultimately, Nico-
and Owasco make up some of the
The ten finalists included Ethan Dab-
las was named Awty’s Geography Bee
Finger Lakes in which state? New York.
ney (7th grade), Arnav Kak (8th grade),
Can you name the Asian country at
Roni Midyat (8th grade), Martin Motta
Congratulations to all of the finalists
the eastern edge of the South China
(7th grade), Nicolas Motta (7th grade),
who competed in this year’s Geogra-
Sea that includes about 7,100 islands?
Caroline Sempere (8th grade), Jessica
phy Bee!
Philippines. These were just some of
Sidney (6th grade), Hugo Sivov (8th
the difficult questions the ten Middle
grade), Eva Sload (8th grade), and Alex
champion!
Arnav Kak, 2012 Geography Bee Runner-up, Mrs. Linda Doolittle,
and Nicolas Motta, 2012 Geography Bee Champion
ACCENT 2011-2012 49
2012 Spelling Bee
ineteen students in Grades
4/CM1 to 8/4ème competed in the Annual Spelling
Bee on Thursday, January 12. These 19
finalists went through several rounds
of competition until the pool of students had been narrowed down to the
top spellers. Nicole Salet, 4ème, became the school champion after correctly spelling both acolyte and epithet.
Arnav Kak, 8th Grade, finished as the
runner-up. Nicole went on to compete
N
in the Regional Spelling Bee on February 24 at Holy Trinity School.
Congratulations to all of the finalists who competed in Awty’s 2012
Spelling Bee including 4th Grade/CM1
students Eric Aase and Sabrina Rangwani; 5th Grade/CM2 students Adriana Morales and Sherwin Rasekh; 6th
Grade/6ème student Eleanor Grosvenor; 7th Grade/5ème students Devin
Arrants, Marco Botto-Tornielli, and
Hélène Chacón; and 8th Grade/4ème
Arnav Kak, 2012 Spelling Bee Runner-up, Mr. Tom Beuscher, and
Nicole Salet, 2012 Spelling Bee Champion
students Tian-Tian He, Arnav Kak, Charlie Meacham, Devon Merz, Michael
Niemer, Kian Raissian, Nicole Salet,
Arjun Saran, Mary Abigail Schenau, Ellana Slade, and Cristabella Wolff.
Thank you to Mr. Tom Beuscher for
moderating the spelling bee and to
Mrs. Kneale Culbreath, Mrs. Mary Herendeen, and Mrs. Emmanuelle Roussel for serving as judges to uphold the
rules and determine whether or not
words were spelled correctly.
Middle School Spanish I Advanced
Students and PK-4 Spanish Students
Ethan Bianco, PK-4
Don Quijote de la Mancha
On Thursday, February 2, Middle School Spanish I Advanced students and PK-4
Spanish students teamed together to present Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quijote
de la Mancha in a puppet show format.
This year, the Middle School students read a portion of Don Quijote de la Mancha
and then retold it to the PK-4 students. They worked together to recreate scenes
and presented it to their teachers, classmates, and members of the administration.
Urtaj Singh, 8th Grade
Don Quijote is considered the most influential work of literature from the Spanish
Golden Age and the entire Spanish literary canon. The novel follows the adventures of Don Quijote. Obsessed with the chivalrous ideals touted in books he has
read, he decides to defend the helpless and destroy the wicked. Don Quijote rides
the roads of Spain in search of glory and grand adventure.
Middle School Spanish I Advanced Students and PK-4 Spanish Students
Devon Merz, 8th Grade
and Phoebe Blott, 7th Grade
Big Bend XXIV
he 24th Annual Big Bend Trip
took place during the week
before Spring Break. Ninetyfour French and International 8th Grade
students, along with a team of 15 dedicated teachers, set off to discover and
rediscover the pleasures of life in the
West, its great outdoors and starry skies.
It was a genuine adventure in direct
contact with nature, in complete autonomy, without electronics, without
parents. Students set out to discover
not just the environments of Big Bend
National Park, Garner State Park, and
Fort Davis; they set out to discover
themselves.
They learned about the necessity for
rules in communal living, about the
responsibilities involved in cooking for
over 100 people, but above all, they
T
learned to adapt to the fabulous desert
surroundings, hiking trails, and pathways of all lengths.
The trip remained true to its pedagogical intentions, thanks to a booklet
The Big Bend Guide, sponsored by BHP
Billiton Petroleum. The booklet allowed
students to learn about human history
and, thanks to the participation of Sam
Clayton, the geology and botany for
which the park is renowned.
Some students had the honor of presenting the donated pairs of shoes collected at Awty, as well as a computer,
to the Family Crisis Center of Terlingua,
after which they embarked upon their
Geocache adventure.
In the evening, before dinner, various teacher-led activities allowed students to discover astronomy and other
8th Grade/4ème students on the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail in Big Bend National Park.
sciences, but above all, the discussion
would inevitably turn to activities to
come and what the next day would
bring. Occasionally, however, discussions had to be put on hold…to brave
a sudden hailstorm!
The 8th graders on this 24th annual
Big Bend trip showed great enthusiasm,
an inquisitive spirit, and a positive, willing approach, as much in their discovery of the parks as in their execution of
the daily chores essential to the wellbeing of the group.
The exemplary behavior of this class
has set the bar incredibly high for next
year’s group, on the voyage which will
mark the school’s 25th anniversary of
adventures in Big Bend.
- Philippe Carre & Miranda DeVries
Big Bend Coordinators
8th Grade/4ème Students in Boquillas
Canyon in Big Bend National Park.
4ème Students Vincent Valès, Cécile Ferreira, Sydney Munk,
Alexandra Guirette Hentschel, and Francesca Alabaster
8th Grade/4ème Students and
Teachers in Big Bend.
Carine Rizk and Alexandra Guirette Hentschel
near the top of the Lost Mine Trail.
12 Angry Men
s. Margaret Buehler’s 7th
graders read Reginald
Rose’s 1955 play Twelve
Angry Men. During the reading, they
also studied major logical fallacies that
could make a jury unable or unwilling
to use evidence as the court system intends, or could be used to sway their
choices both in commercial and noncommercial applications. The students
had to find at least one logical fallacy
used for each juror in the script. They
figured out having a visual on the
wall would make this task simpler and
more effective, and so, the students
covered one of the walls inside the
classroom with paper. Capella Bigno,
chief artist on the project, drew all of
the figures on the mural and assisted
her classmates in choosing colors and
M
visual arrangements of other parts of
the project. While Capella worked on
the mural, the other students worked
together in small groups to find and
quote logical fallacies, which they added to index cards. They placed these
cards on the center “table” of the jury
on the mural.
This group project accomplished
several objectives:
The students now know the text well
after combing it repeatedly to find jurors’ logical fallacies.
The students had several quotations
selected and available as they wrote
their analytical papers.
The students learned the 15 logical fallacies assigned to them and can
find them both in text (the play) and
in oral debate (with each other as they
Sebastian Adrianza, Jasmine Geyen, Lily Grigorian, Elif Dundar, Juliet Quint, Margot
Hemminga, Nicolas Verchère, Paul Burgogne, Sasha Borisewitz, Meher Qazilbash, Julien
Rampon, Capella Bigno, Anaëlle Lahitte-Crohare, Yoann Dequin, and Evin Heintz
worked.)
The students learned that even reasonable people can use fallacious reasoning, and that clarity in argument,
both oral and written, is essential in
using language effectively.
The students discovered that doing
“a fun project” made them know the
literature better than they ever had
before (this was a real eye-opener for
them)!
Finally, the students learned to work
together under the direction of a project manager (Capella Bigno for art,
Anaëlle Lahitte-Crohare for words).
They had to take direction, and Capella
and Anaëlle had to accept input from
the worker bees. Again, this was a major revelation for many of them.
Cristabella Wolff, 8th Grade
John Harrison, 6ème
Green & Gold Fun Day
It was all about having some fun in the sun when the Middle School students
stepped away from the books and enjoyed a day of games and races at Awty Field
on Friday, April 13.
It was an afternoon of fierce competition as the students participated in various
activities including Ping Pong, Dodge Ball, Waiters Race, House of Cards, Sack Race,
Clothing Relay, and several Word Games. Last, but certainly not least, the students
cooled off splashing through the water slide.
All in all, the students (and teachers) had a blast taking a break from class and their
daily routines to partake in a little fun and games during the ever-popular Green
& Gold Fun Day.
Julian Chalet, 5ème
8th Grade/4ème students play ping pong.
Coach Patrick Vedrenne tries to trip up 5ème
Students Youenn Dequin and Pierre Delelis.
Fergus Talbot, 1ère, and Keller O’Malley, 10th Grade,
perform in “Charley’s Aunt”.
Upper School
AMBITIOUS. BRIGHT. INSPIRING.
UPPER SCHOOL LEADERSHIP:
Mr. Sam Waugh, Head of Middle School
Mr. Robert Sload, Deputy Head of Middle School
UPPER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
• Helping Haitians
• Chinese Speech Contest
• Global Issues Network
• Senior Tea
• US Students Commemorate MLK
• Charley’s Aunt
• Career Fair
• Musicians Attend TPSMEA
• You Can’t Take It With You
Helping Haitians
any in the Awty community are fortunate to share
a common bond with Haitian communities: the French language.
This connection promotes and encourages cultural understanding, interest,
and empathy between us.
As President of the Awty French
Honor Society, I had the privilege to
direct this year’s “Haitian Shoebox Project” under the guidance of our faculty
sponsor, Sonia Richi. For several years,
Awty French Honor Society students
have collected toys, school supplies,
and clothing for children in Haiti. The
students sort the donations by gender
and age appropriateness, and then
pack them into individual, plastic “shoe
boxes.” Due to the generosity of the
Awty community, we filled 90 boxes.
Ms. Richi, Chantal Duke, and a volunteer
Florida pilot made the shoebox airlift to
Haiti possible.
There is something powerfully moving about sorting, selecting, and packaging these very personal items with
the knowledge that they would soon
be in the hands of another young person—a Haitian child we have never met
but whose toys we had held and with
whom we share a connection. These
children, many of whom are orphans,
have probably lost all of their possessions, may have been seriously injured,
and live under the continuing threat of
a cholera epidemic. It is difficult for me
to fully grasp the extent of their suffering. The shoebox project is a worthwhile Awty tradition that helps keep us
mindful of the situation in Haiti as we
M
attempt to make a difference.
This project was especially meaningful to me, as I have been involved in
serving a local Haitian immigrant community since the summer of my sophomore year. In 2010, my brother Graham
(Class of 2011) and I attended a memorial service for the Haitian earthquake
tragedy victims. We were hoping to use
our French language skills (sometimes
Will helps Gracie, 2, with
the Fêtes des Pères card
a challenge in Texas…) to aid Haitian
immigrants who might need translators. What we learned, instead, was that
there are local Haitian youth communities struggling to preserve their French
language and cultural heritage.
With the help of Kenny and Stephanie Dejean, Haitian church and community leaders, Marcelle Gharibeh, IB
CAS Coordinator, and our parents, we
created “Keep Your Culture,” a summer
language-immersion day camp for 18
Haitian youths, aged 2 -15. The Dejeans
provided the space, Mrs. Gharibeh provided school supplies, and our parents
donated sports equipment for the
parking lot (our makeshift playground).
The goal was to speak French and have
some fun. A typical day involved French
worksheets, songs, crafts, games, and
movies, along with some basketball, a
goûter, lunch, and field trips (museums,
the zoo). Our teachers make it look so
easy but having to plan lessons to engage a full classroom is truly a frightening proposition. We observed that it
really does “take a village,” as older kids
look after their younger siblings. We also
learned that maintaining French in the
United States, always a source of pride
for me, may raise conflicting issues for
a young Haitian immigrant wanting to
“fit in.” These kids risk losing a linguistic connection to their Haitian identity,
which is important to their continued
support of Haiti. I understood the significance of this connection when popular Haitian humanitarian activist and
U.S. immigrant Wyclef Jean’s inability
to speak French eliminated his chances
of becoming president of Haiti after the
earthquake disaster.
Using a specialized skill to help others in the local community has been an
enriching experience. My brother and I
have made friends in the process and
have continued with “Keep Your Culture” field trips. Last summer the challenge was to provide enough transportation for 18 people to visit Galveston,
and planning for this summer is already
underway! Houston is the nation’s most
diverse city, presenting opportunities for Awty students to share their
time and talents with other local communities, as well as with communities
around the globe.
- Will Eldridge
12th Grade
Appreciation Awards to Will and Graham Eldridge for “Keep Your Culture”
Simon says (Jacques a dit) put
your hands on your…
En classe, we learned about les
couleurs et les animaux
I get by with a little help from my friends…
Chinese Speech Contest
wty’s Mandarin classes attended the 10th Chinese
Speech Contest in Great Houston Area, which was hosted by the Chinese Civic Center and the University of
Houston’s Foreign Language Department, on Sunday, November 13 at the
Chinese Civic Center. The Awty students competed in the Non-Chinese
Background Group by writing and reciting a 500-word essay. Never before
has Awty reached such great achieve-
A
ment at this event.
Award winners included Kayley
George, 11th grade (1st place); Alex
Howard, 11th grade (2nd); Andrew
Blumfield, 11th grade (2nd); Isabelle
Smithard, 11th grade (2nd); Maddie
Ladner, 11th grade (3rd); John Law,
11th grade (3rd); Lise Coquilleau, 2nde
(4th); Andrea Torres-Aldana, 2nde
(4th); Hélène Rousset, 2nde (4th);
Jeanne Guinotte, 2nde (4th); and Antoine Karsenty, 1ére (4th). Three other
Jiayao Pang, Alex Howard, 11th Grade, Kayley George, Madison Ladner, 11th Grade,
Andrew Blumfield, 11th Grade, Isabelle Smithard, 11th Grade, Jeanne Guinotte, 2nde, Lise
Coquilleau, 2nde, Andrea Torres-Aldana, 2nde, Tairong Zheng, and Tzu-Hui Dequin
Awty students from Lower School
and Middle School also participated
in the contest including Joey Dunkin,
6th grade (4th place in the non-native
group); Megan Dunkin, 5th grade (4th
place in the non-native group); and
Rhett Cai, 6th grade (4th place in the
non-native group).
These Awty students were also featured in the largest Chinese newspaper in the southern state, The Southern
Daily. Congratulations to all!
Global Issues Network
halah Mohammed, a senior at
er to interact with similarly innovative
Shalah’s activism with regard to en-
The Awty International School,
and concerned students to create a
vironmental sustainability began in
attended and presented at the
better future for current global issues.
September 2010, when she led the
S
2011 GIN of the Americas Conference
The conference took place on Oc-
student-initiated ban of plastic water
in Lima, Peru. “GIN” stands for “Global
tober 21-23, 2011, at Colegio Frank-
bottles on the Colegio Franklin Delano
Issues Network,” and strives to cre-
lin Delano Roosevelt, the American
Roosevelt campus, and worked with
networks
School of Lima, Peru. The theme of
the school administration to imple-
among
a
empow-
the conference was “Building New Fu-
ment an alternative and sustainable
ered
e
youth with
tures by Breaking Old Habits.” In accor-
source of water. She was also greatly
respect
r
to devel-
dance with this theme, Shalah gave a
involved in the school’s administrative
oping
o
solutions
one-hour workshop: “Green Initiatives,
Green Team and high school Ecology
to
t international
Strategies, and Applications,” where
Club. In recognition of her efforts to
issues—environi
she addressed the issue of effectively
promote environmentally sustainable
mental,
m
social,
initiating and implementing eco-solu-
practices, she was awarded the first-
and technological. Participants of GIN
tions. Her presentation focused on the
ever “Environmental Award” of her
showcase their local efforts to meet
origin, development, and application
school.
any of the three main areas of GIN so-
of environmentally-geared solutions
At Awty, Shalah is involved in the
lutions, as well as learn from the many
toward the reduction of the ongoing
Environmental Club and in promoting
other examples of student initiatives
proliferation and consumption of plas-
sustainability on the Awty campus.
presented at the conference in the
tic. In addition, Shalah sat on a panel
form of informative workshops. Over-
of three members to answer questions
all, the GIN experience provides a di-
from all GIN participants during a 45-
verse atmosphere for the critical think-
minute open session.
ate
a
Shalah Mohammed with Linda Sills, GIN Director
ACCENT 2011-2012 61
Senior Tea
or the Senior Tea this year, Awty
decided to try something new.
The event was held on campus,
making it a more informal environment
for the students. The seniors gathered
together in the Quad on a sunny day in
early March for this annual event.
The Senior Tea has been a longstanding Awty tradition since Mrs. Kay
Awty, founder of the school, held the
first one in 1981. Mrs. Awty hosted the
first tea event in her home with seven
F
seniors and their teachers. She began
the tradition so she could visit with the
Seniors in a relaxed environment and
hear their hopes and aspirations for
the future.
Over the years, each senior class has
grown and today’s senior class numbers 95. The teachers who work closely
with the seniors during their last and
most important year were also in attendance at the event, giving them an
opportunity to wish the seniors good
Seniors Amaury Berteaud, Paul Micaëlli, Isabelle
Vanasse Grosdidier, and Melissa Carré
Seniors Sandra Blackmon, Audrey Linnartz,
Eloise Smithard, and Nicole Piper
luck as they began the road to finals.
A special thank you to Senior Advisors Becky Johnson and Jan Castleberry for organizing the event.
Karly Boyd, Camila Solorzano,
and Alexandra Meyer
Seniors Olivia Tati, Ruby Grant,
Andrew Vodinh, and Jessica Kerr
Preston Simmons, 10th Grade
Mr. Jeffrey Page
US Students Commemorate
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Upper School students commemorated the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. during a special assembly on Tuesday, January 17. Through words, music, and a bit of
dramatizaion, King’s life and work was remembered by both students and faculty.
In a moving tribute, both students and faculty members celebrated King’s contributions to society as well as his philosophies on nonviolent social change and
equality for all mankind.
11th Graders Hannah Svanberg and Shelby Flavin
King led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until
his death in 1968. His leadership was fundamental to the movement’s success in
ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of
the United States.
10th Grade Students
Upper School Students
C h a r l e y ’s A un t
nder the direction of Martha
Bawara, the students in the
IB Theatre Arts Program kept
the audience laughing during their
performance of Charley’s Aunt, a farce
by Brandon Thomason, on December
1-3, 2011.
Charley’s Aunt has had one of the
longest runs, performing 1,466 shows
in its original 1892 London opening,
and additionally has been performed
by professional and amateur groups
for more than a century. Perhaps Charley’s success is steeped in an audience’s
timeless enjoyment of farce. Webster
defines farce as a light, humorous play
in which the plot depends upon a skillfully exploited situation rather than
upon the development of character.
U
These frenzied, artificial, and over-thetop antics have a tradition in Comedia
Dell Arte stock characters which are
commonly still used in movies (i.e., The
Hangover), sitcoms (i.e., Friends), and
theatre (i.e., Rumors).
Awty’s rendition contained all the
classic elements of farce beginning
when the unexpected arrival of an
aunt leaves Jack and Charley’s rendezvous plans up in the air. Arrangements
that were made not only accommodated Charley’s aunt but left time for
marriage proposals. So what to do
when notice is sent that Charley’s aunt
would not be arriving? After some
quick thinking and a lot of coercion,
an alternate “aunt” was produced and
chaos ensued!
11th Graders Cory Wellen and Hannah Svanberg
The cast included: Cory Wellen, 11th
grade (Jack Chesney); Alex White, 10th
grade (Brassett); Antoine Karsenty,
1ère (Charley Wykeham); John Dunlop,
11th grade (Lord Fancourt Babberly);
Hannah Svanberg, 11th grade (Kitty
Verdun); Shelby Flavin, 11th grade
(Amy Spettigue); Keller O’Malley, 10th
grade (Colonel Sir Francis Chesney);
Fergus Talbot, 1ère (Stephen Spettigue); Caroline Midy, 11th grade (Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez); and Iman Khan,
11th grade (Ela Delahay).
Many thanks to the following people
who made this production possible:
Martha Bawara (Director / Set and Costume Design), Jayne Perkins (Costume
Creation), and Kerm Sarber (Set Construction).
11th Graders Shelby Flavin, John Dunlop, and Hannah Svanberg
11th Grade/1ère Students Caroline Middy,
Fergus Talbot, and John Dunlop
11th Grade/1ère Students Antoine
Karsenty and Cory Wellen
11th Graders Iman Khan and Caroline Midy
Philip Etuk, 12th Grade visits with Lila Ghemri
Dr. Mahood Moradi with 3ème Students Amanda Charreton,
Anouk Jakubowicz, Louise Schuwer, and Mathilde Braquehais
Career Fair
The College Counseling Department, with the support of the Awty Parents & Personnel Association (APPA), hosted a Career Fair on Thursday, February 9, 2012, for
the entire Upper School student body.
Over 70 professionals from varying career fields including engineering, arts, hospitality, health, and communications volunteered their time to speak with our students about college education in their field, day to day tasks, likes and dislikes, and
much more.
Carlos Luis, 11th Grade, and Mélanie Guirette
Hentschel, 1ère, visits with Carlos Aguilera
Career Fair 2012
Awty extends a BIG thank you to all of the professionals who took time out of their
busy schedules to visit with our students. Many thanks also to Corinne Micaë-lli,
French College Counselor, who spearheaded the organization of the event, as well
as the entire College Counseling Department, the Upper School office, and the
APPA.
Amy Schumacher visits with
Stephan Warden, 2nde
M u s i c i a n s At t e n d T P S M E A
n early March, the Awty Jazz
I
Ensemble,
String
April 14.
Jardin, Albin John, Darius Jonasch,
Orchestra,
Congratulations to the following
Lucas Jonasch, Clara Loeb, Madi Lo-
Wind Ensemble, and eight solo-
students on their hard work and record
pez, Harriet MacDonald, Roni Midyat,
ists performed concert pieces for the
breaking success: Thomas Berrueta,
Daichi Onda, Kevin Ong, Alex Pleczko,
TAPPS Regional Meet. In this contest,
Ryan Bitar, Sabrina Bitar, Sandra Black-
Nitin Ponnaganti, Mariam Qazilbash,
all of the Awty groups and solo per-
mun, Alex Cadena, Matthew Chal-
Brenda Rodriguez, Aziz Saqr, Pearce
formances received the highest rating:
craft, Ethan Dabney, Danielle de Vries,
Sauls, Nick Sempere, Isabelle Smithard,
Division 1 Superior Performance. The
Margarita Delgado-Thompson, Come
Anna Stables, Peyton Stamper, Morgan
Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and
Gondallier de Tugny, Anatol Helfen-
Stanley, Sam Steakley, Ryan Van Mech-
the Upper School soloists qualified to
stein, Luke Herman, Douglas Hillyer,
elen, Andrew Vodinh, and Angela Yang.
compete in the TAPPS State Meet on
Lucila Houttuijn-Bloemendaal, Claire
12th Grade/TLE Students with Mr. Jason Peguero
Peyton Stamper, 12th Grade
Awty Jazz Ensemble
Harriet MacDonald, 9th Grade, Alex Cadena,
11th Grade and Isabelle Smithard, 11 Grade
ACCENT 2011-2012 67
Y o u C a n ’ t Ta k e I t W i t h Y o u
tudents in the 10th Grade Pre-IB
Class delighted audiences with
their rendition of You Can’t Take
It With You, a 1930s situational comedy
by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman,
on March 1-3, 2012.
You Can’t Take It With You is the humorous tale of a humble and odd family whose daughter, Alice Sycamore,
falls for a wealthy man, Tony Kirby. In
the beginning we are introduced to
the Sycamore family and their friends.
They are quite an eccentric bunch.
Mother Sycamore likes to write plays
but gets sidetracked from time to time
and leaves one play to start another or
continue a previous one. Father Sycamore conducts experiments in their
basements; one could assume explosions due to the soot he always has
when entering the living room from
S
the basement. Grandfather Martin is
a very comical character that always
shares his words of wisdom. The family soon finds out that Alice is dating Tony. They are all very excited to
meet him and hope that he asks for
her hand in marriage, which he does.
As one can conclude, this means both
families must meet. Unfortunately,
Tony misunderstood which day they
were to meet and brought his parents
to Alice’s house a day early. The evening had a turn for the worst, ending
with Mr. Kirby in jail and Alice ending
the engagement. In the end, thanks to
Grandfather Martin’s words of wisdom,
Alice and Tony make amends as well as
the families.
The cast included Imane Abba-Kaka as Rheba Houston, Brayden Aguilera as Paul Sycamore, Dorian Buijse
10th Graders Hannah Smati and Brayden Aguilera
as Ed Carmichael, Julian Chenin as
Mr. Henderson/J-man, Brenna Haffey
as Alice Sycamore/Gaye, Stephanie
Jeanneret as Essie Carmichael, Ahsan
Khan as Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff,
Keller O’Malley as Sebastian DePinna, Giovanna Manisck as Mac/Grand
Duchess Olga Katrina, Aria Rassoli as
Anthony Kirby Sr., Naida Sadikhova
as Alice Sycamore/Gaye, Preston Simmons as Tony Kirby, Jonathan Sload
as Kolenkhov, Hannah Smati as Penny
Sycamore, Alex White as Donald Perkins, and Kyren Wong as Miriam Kirby.
Many thanks to the following people
who made this production possible:
Martha Bawara (Director), Saagou
Bawara, Lionel Bawara, Celeste Bawara,
The Smati Family, The Haffey Family,
The Svanberg Family, Rio Jones, and
Don Clarke (Theatre Advisor).
10th Graders Giovanna Manisck, Stéphanie Jeanneret, Ahsan Khan, and Hannah Smati
Naida Sadikhova, 10th Grade
Jonathan Sload, 10th Grade
Ahsan Khan, 10th Grade
The Awty Dads’ Club and the Student Council worked together
to sell hot dogs and burgers at the Homecoming game.
Parent Volunteers
ENTHUSIASTIC. HELPFUL. TALENTED.
Parents are an integral part of the success of the Awty International School. Research shows that
parent involvement causes children to behave better, earn higher grades, score better on tests, and
graduate at higher rates. Parental involvement in student activities, sporting events, and school
functions is the best way to get to know your school and to actively participate in the educational
support of your student. At Awty, the Awty Parents and Personnel Association (APPA), the Awty
Rams Booster Club, and the Awty Dads’ Club support the school during each and every school year.
The APPA is the main volunteer organization at Awty. It serves as the parent’s voice to the school,
and works to represent the views of its members across the Awty community. This organization
also organizes some of the large events on campus including the Fall Fun Festival and the International Festival. The Awty Dads’ Club provides a community for dads to socialize as well as to
support the development and cultivation of the school and its mission. For a few years now, the
Awty Dads’ have hosted Happy Hours for dads, grilled burgers and hot dogs at the Homecoming
games, and organized the annual Saint Arnold Bash. Awty’s Athletics department benefits from
the hard work and energetic support of parents who volunteer for the Rams Booster Club. Through
the Booster Bistro, Concession Stand, Spirit T-shirt Sales, and more, the club raises money that goes
toward purchasing much needed equipment and supplies for Awty’s various athletic teams.
Jesse Bolka and Shams Siddiqui
Dr. Stephen Codrington and Mr. Daniel Ramirez
Dads Night Out
The Awty Dads’ Club hosted the “Dads Night Out” happy hour on September 13,
2011, at Taco Milagro. Approximately 40 dads came out for some good cheer and
good beer! They were joined by Awty administrators Dr. Stephen Codrington,
Ronald Jackson, and Stanley Way.
The Awty Dads’ Club provides a community for Dads to socialize as well as to support the development and cultivation of the school and its mission.
The Dads’ Club organizes fun, casual social and networking events throughout the
year that are open to all Awty parents. They are a great place to meet the club’s
officers, Awty class representatives, and other Awty dads.
Dominique Dion and Wallace Partridge
William Ohrt, Josh Grahmann, Alexis Petit, and Fred Hugand
Awty Dads Night Out 2011
Aw ty Spirit
ot School Spirit? Let’s Hear
G
among the students. Spirit Days allow
If you would like to know more
It! Awty students, staff and
all students from Preschool to Upper
about the Awty Rams Booster Club or
faculty showed their school
School to participate and show their
would like to get involved, contact Jen-
pride on each Spirit Day held this year.
pride in not only sports or their favor-
nifer Hohman, Booster Club President,
Green and gold Spirit T-shirts were in
ite athletic team but also show pride in
at [email protected] or visit
abundance on September 22, March
their work and in their school.
www.awty.org/ramsboosterclub.
21, and April 25.
What’s school spirit? School spirit is
Each school year, the Awty Rams
an unexplainable excitement among a
Booster Club organizes two or three
group, a community—it’s pride, it’s ca-
Spirit Days. These special days help
maraderie, and it’s the involvement of
to evoke that sense of school pride
everyone in the school.
GO RAMS!
PK-4/PS Students Roshan Greene,
Lauren Pollard, and Adelaide Ervin
CP Students Jacqueline Thorez, Margot
Lemoine, and Amélie Boerger
7th Graders Myioshi Williams, Zoe
Mitchell, and Jon Donaldson
10th Graders Keller O’Malley, Nicolas
Marie, and Gregor Meehan
ACCENT 2011-2012 73
Fa l l F un Fe s t i va l
ozens of witches, goblins,
and ghouls had a “spooktacular” time on Saturday,
October 29, as Awty’s campus was
transformed into the school’s annual
Fall Fun Festival.
Sunny skies, a cool breeze, and fun
for the whole family was the perfect
combination for another successful
Fall Fun Festival. From the giant ferris
wheel to the spooky haunted house,
from the craft booths to the fun inflatables, from the refreshing sno cones to
D
Fall Fun Festival 2011
the delicious cotton candy, from the
rock wall to the dunking booth, this
was a fun-filled day for Awty students
and families. Dressed in their favorite
Halloween costumes, students also
paraded through the festival grounds.
Chef Tim cooked up some festival favorites including corn on the cob, sausage on a stick, pizza, fruit, and cookies.
This “Ghoulishly” good time was
sponsored by the Awty Parent and Personnel Association (APPA). The APPA
is a voluntary organization made up
of Awty parents and staff whose purpose is to support the school through
its social, educational, and fundraising
events and projects.
Many thanks to the Fall Fun Festival
Chairs Lydia Pfeiffer, Sophie Gagey, and
Isabelle Gousserey-Raillard, as well as
the many volunteers who contributed
their time, talent, and dollars to make
this year’s festival a great success.
Fall Fun Festival Chairs Sophie Gagey, Isabelle Gousserey-Raillard, and Lydia Pfeiffer
Adrien Dubois, CM2
Mia Crauser, CE2, and Jeanne Fender, CE1
Ginevra Fenoglio, 4th Grade
Pa r e n t H o m e c o m i n g B a s h
Many thanks to Brian Oakley and the
early 150 Awty parents,
N
local DJ, and stimulating conversation
staff, and faculty kicked up
among friends.
their heels at the 4th An-
Saint Arnold Brewing Company, lo-
nual Parent Homecoming Bash at Saint
cated in Houston, is Texas’ Oldest Craft
If you are interested in joining the
Arnold Brewing Company, which was
Brewery. Founded by Brock Wagner
Awty Dads’ Club and want to get in-
hosted by the Awty Dads’ Club on Sat-
and Kevin Bartol, Saint Arnold brews
volved, please contact Brian Oakley at
urday, November 12, 2011.
fourteen different beers. Seven are
[email protected] or Ronald
In a relaxed setting, members of the
made year round and seven are sea-
Jackson at [email protected].
Awty community enjoyed delicious
sonal. Their small crew does every-
Texas barbeque catered by Demeris
thing at the brewery: brew the beer,
Bar-B-Q, refreshing and flavorful Saint
filter the beer, keg the beer, bottle the
Arnold beer, upbeat tunes spun by a
beer, sell the beer, and drink the beer.
David Best, Jérôme Faivre, James McVicker, Nicolas Parise, and Eric Schuwer
Awty Dads’ Club for organizing another great event.
2011 Parent Homecoming Bash at Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Tyler Flood, Ashley Amy, and Michael Foster
Maureen Partridge and Wallace Partridge
Brian Oakley, Dads’ Club President
I n t e r n at i on a l F e s t i va l
rganized by the Awty Parents and Personnel Association (APPA), this year’s
International Festival came alive with
the sights and sounds of Argentina, the
country of honor, on April 12-13, 2012.
Event Chairs Ana Escalona and Claudia
Fernández went above and beyond coordinating this two-day event for Awty
students and families.
On Thursday morning, the festival
opened with the traditional parade of
flags, which were carried by the Class of
2012 and accompanied by the steady
beat of Argentinian drums. Emmy-award
winner Patricia Gras, who is a television
anchor and senior producer for PBS here
in Houston, opened the festival as the
featured speaker. Ms. Gras was born in
Houston to Argentinean parents. At the
age of two she moved to Argentina with
her family and lived there until she was
12, when she returned to Houston. She
speaks five languages, has visited over
50 countries and holds three masters
degrees, including a Masters in Journalism from Columbia University in New
York City. Ms. Gras’ award-winning show
Living Smart with Patricia Gras has aired
on over 200 PBS channels across the
country. She is the recipient of over 170
journalism awards including six regional
and Lone Star Emmy Awards and 16
national Tellys. In 2008, Gras was voted
one of the most influential women by
Houston Women Magazine.
The event was attended by a number of the Consular Corps including the
Hon. Daniel Deodato, Consul General of
O
the Argentine Republic in Houston. Other countries represented at the festival
among the dignitaries who were present included Austria, Belgium, Egypt,
France, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, Peru, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and
Turkey.
Luna Tango Productions provided
entertainment during the ceremony including a dramatic tango and an upbeat
drum performance. Following their performances, Dr. Codrington recognized
each country represented by a booth
at the festival. As he announced each
country (33 in all), a student from that
country stood holding a large black and
white sign with the name of the country.
He also recognized a new booth that
was added to the festival this year—the
Peace Booth.
The ceremony ended with the release
of a single white dove as a symbol of
peace among nations and among those
here in the Awty community. The white
dove, also known as a Rock Dove, was
raised and trained at the Bencal Loft
Farm, not far from Awty’s campus. The
dove was carried in a beautiful white
basket by four students, Alexander
Zsigo (Kindergarten), Alexa Fernández
(2nd Grade), Eugénie Tard (4ème), Gabriel Guerin (3ème). These students released the dove, who took flight straight
out and up through the grassy quad
area as the special guests, students,
parents, faculty, and staff watched with
awe and excitement. The trained dove
returned home and made it safely back
to the Bencal Loft Farm that afternoon.
After the ceremony, Middle School
and Upper School students took turns
during the day visiting the booths and
learning about the culture and customs
of each country represented.
On Friday, students and staff/faculty
alike celebrated their heritage by wearing their national dress. During the day,
Pre and Lower School students took
their turn visiting the booths. They collected stamps, accumulated souvenirs,
and tasted delicious foods from around
the world.
In the early afternoon, the Lower
School Choir began the day’s entertainment by singing several songs in
different languages. Members of Luna
Tango then gave a special performance
in the Globe for the students in PK-3/PS
through 2nd Grade/CE1. Later that afternoon, Luna Tango performed again
in the Quadrangle. They were followed
by Showing Japanese Dancers Hanayagi
– ryu who performed several beautiful
Japanese dances. Then Awty student
Anu Govindan (5th Grade) performed
a traditional Indian dance. Alexandria
Chalet (4ème) sang “I Dream a Dream”
from Les Miserables. She was followed by
Greek dancers including Awty student
Maria Zaharatos (6ème). Finally, the
Kundagrami Family Magicians wowed
the crowd with their magic tricks!
The two-day festival ended late Friday
afternoon with a grand parade of nations, which was coordinated by Awty
mom Liliana Walji. Over 60 students represented 30 different countries during
the fashion show.
Sebastian Zamarripa, PK-4, Paloma Villasenor, 1st Grade, and Felipe Villasenor, PK-4
Christine Preti, Cristina Didone,
and Myriam Gonzalez-Calzia
Seniors Lisa Goulding, Ruby Grant,
Alexis Gremillion, and Camille Guerin
Susana Collins of Luna Tango Productions
I n t e r n at i on a l F e s t i va l
PK-4 Students Cooper Yi, Andres Ruiz,
and Lachlan McKenzie
Seniors Mark Conner, Aziz Saqr,
Melissa Carré, and Deborah Pelzer
Dr. Stephen Codrington, Alejandro Nevegna, Patricia Gras, and the Hon.
Daniel O. Deodato, Consul General of the Argentine Republic in Houston
Students show the countries represented at the festival.
Betty Caballero, Monica Fulton, and Sharon Gonzalez
Claudia Fernández, Dr. Stephen
Codrington, and Ana Escalona
Dominique de Font Réaulx, CE2
Siblings Zaynab Salehpour, 12th Grade
and Abbas Salehpour, PK-4
Javier Mateache, 3ème, and Louis Bourgogne, 9th Grade,
give the Awty Rams two thumbs up.
Highlights
A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF 2011-2012’S MAIN EVENTS.
2011-2012 has been a busy year at The Awty International School with many highlights. In the
following pages, we spotlight some of the main projects, programs, and events including Sustainability at Awty, Barbara Coloroso’s Visit to Awty, Community of Respect, +Works, Cross Country
Triumphs, Fall Concert, 2011 Homecoming, Holiday Traditions, Winter Sports Teams Honored, 2012
Book Fair, and 2012 Francophonie. Also included is a special Bravo! section featuring some of our
students and their accomplishments on and off campus.
2011-2012 has been a splendid year and we wish everyone a wonderful summer break! We will see
you back in August for the 2012-2013 school year.
S u s ta i n a bi l i t y at Aw t y
ustainability is broadly defined
as ‘meeting the needs of the
present generation without
compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.’
This year, we saw the human population reach seven
b
billion people,
aand
meeting
tthe needs of
ffuture generattions seems to
b
becoming more
aand more of a
cchallenge. Humans use many
resources from the earth. Some are
renewable and some are not. Ideally,
each new generation would use only
what the earth can provide so that
the future generations do not need to
worry about running out of things like
coal, oil, and clean water. The challenge that our generation of students
faces is to come up with solutions on
how to live sustainably.
This year at Awty, our new Head of
School, Dr. Codrington, decided to
work on increasing the sustainability
of our campus. In order to do so, he
appointed me the new Sustainability
Coordinator, and I got to work. The
two main goals of increasing sustainability at Awty are to look into making
our campus more sustainable and to
educate our students on sustainability. As a community we are working
towards using fewer resources while
improving the quality of life for everyone on campus.
S
One of the first steps towards this
process was a campus-wide recycling
program that was put into place by
Robert Sload. This helped to reduce
the amount of trash going into landfills and also provided materials for
making goods while reducing the
need for raw materials. This year, we
have installed a new recycling bin
near the track for families to bring in
their recycling from home. We also
changed the paper that is used on
campus to 30% recycled paper, reducing the amount of raw materials that
are consumed in order to make our
school run. Another way we are trying
to reduce our waste is by composting
kitchen scraps and yard waste. The
compost bins have been in place for
a few months now, and we are hoping
to expand what goes into them next
year. Other initiatives are being put
in place to reduce consumption and
increase the environmental quality of
our campus.
Another important part of sustainability is student education. There are
currently three environmental clubs
on campus, in the Lower, Middle, and
Upper Schools and all have students
who are actively working to educate
others about the environment and to
make our school a greener place. The
Upper School Environmental Club
has volunteered throughout the city;
cleaning up bayous, planting coastal
grasses, and planting trees at Memorial Park. We would like to expand
the participation of these activities
to all Awty students and their fami-
lies. We are also working to increase
sustainability education in the classroom across all subjects. Teachers
have been given resources that will
help them incorporate sustainability
in their classroom. The new school
garden, initiated by Olivier Logette,
is now being used by teachers of all
grade levels to educate their students
on plants and the food that we eat.
Students have been encouraged to
learn about the challenges facing future generations and to try and come
up with solutions to these challenges
with the current ConocoPhillips/TOTAL Sustainability Challenge. They
have been asked to come up with a
way to make our school more sustainable, to gather data and resources,
and to present their plan to a panel of
judges in May. The winning ideas will
be implemented on campus.
The sustainability initiatives listed
above could not have gone into place
without the support of everyone on
campus. The willingness to help by
the Maintenance and Facilities Department, Technology Department,
faculty, staff, parents, and students of
our school has been overwhelming.
Don Davis, who has been very busy
with the new building, has met with
me many more times than I think he
had time for. I receive emails almost
daily from fellow staff members who
have suggestions or offer to help in
some way. The amount of students
who pitched in to help make the
school garden was amazing. Parents
have offered their help and sugges-
tions as well. There is now a Sustainability Committee with 8-10 members
that will meet to discuss how to move
forward with new plans. Increasing
sustainability is a project that will take
some hard work, perhaps breaking
some old habits, but everyone in the
Awty community has been very supportive, which is great because there
are more changes to come to make
Awty, our community, and ultimately,
our world a greener place to live.
- Kristi Winegarden
Sustainability Coordinator
If you would like to get involved or
have ideas on how to increase the
sustainability on Awty’s campus,
please contact Kristi Winegarden,
Sustainability Coordinator, at
[email protected]. For more
information about the sustainability program at Awty, visit www.
awty.org/sustainability.
9th and 10th Grade Students Composting
11th Grade Students help build the garden.
10th Graders Lucila Houttuijn Bloemendaal,
Adrien Lehmann, Alex White and Dorian Buijse
6th Grade Students Noor Mohamed , Fredrika
Pfeiffer, and Jessica Sidney
ACCENT 2011-2012 85
Community of Respect
iversity education is an
integral part of The Awty
International School curriculum. Various programs are implemented throughout the year to ensure an inclusive school environment
in which all students feel valued and
respected.
Specific initiatives we have put in
place include the Anti-Defamation
League’s “No Place for Hate,” Positive
Works (+Works), and Educators for
Social Responsibility. Committees
have been formed in all three divisions, Primary School, Middle School,
and Upper School, which include parents, teachers, and students. Through
these committees, activities are
planned that include everyone.
Setting the stage for an excellent
year in this vein, large banners with
the Resolution of Respect were signed
by all students and placed around the
campus. A committee was formed in
the Primary School called Connected
and Respected with several ongoing
D
projects. Citizenship classes focus on
preparing all Lower School students
to become global citizens.
In the Middle School and Upper
School, through the Advisory groups
that meet weekly, a number of activities have been implemented including topics such as friendship, peer
relationships, respect for all, and
community building. Assemblies included a commemoration of the 10th
anniversary of 9/11, a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History
Month. The entire school participated
in Francophonie Day. Fiesta de Mayo
is celebrated on a grand scale in the
Primary School.
In the Upper School, the committee has planned and implemented a
highly successful video project called
“I am not a label.” This video is a reflection of the depth of understanding of
the diversity of our community and
has been placed on our website for all
to see.
For the first year, a Peace Booth was
Every Lower School Student signed this Community of Respect banner.
included in our International Festival.
All three divisions were involved in
the preparations and made it both interactive and informative.
The school hosted a +Works Parent
Meeting for the entire Houston community in which an energetic public
conversation expressed our desire
for our school to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone. We also
invited Barbara Coloroso, internationally renowned speaker and author, to
present to our parents, teachers, and
students from 5th/CM2 through 12th/
Tle grades. Her area of expertise is
prevention of bullying.
Finally, every grade participates in
Community Service to help those less
fortunate than themselves.
It is our intention to raise awareness
and develop activities that enable the
entire Awty community to adhere to
principles and values of respect for
everyone.
- Louise Dreyfus
Director of Counseling
Dr. Stephen Codrington speaks to the Upper School students about 9/11 during assembly.
Danny Jason, 9th Grade
7th Graders Jasmine Geyen and Jacqueline L’Abbate
William Girardeau, CM1
Barbara Coloroso
Louise Dreyfus, Barbara Coloroso, and Tom Beuscher
Barbara Coloroso Visits Awty
International bestselling author Barbara Coloroso spent two days at Awty speaking to parents, teachers, and students. On Thursday, September 8, she spent the
evening talking with parents about her latest book The Bully, the Bullied, and the
Bystander and providing the tools to break the cycle of violence. On Friday, September 9, Mrs. Coloroso spoke to students from both the Middle School and Upper School, explaining what bullying is and what it isn’t, showing the difference
between teasing and taunting, and helping them to develop a code of compassion. She then spent the afternoon with several faculty members.
Barbara Coloroso with Benazir Sako,
11th Grade and Lucile Bertin, 1ère
Barbara Coloroso speaks with the Middle School students.
For the past 38 years, Mrs. Coloroso has served as a consultant on parenting, teaching positive school climate, bullying, and nonviolent conflict resolution. She has
appeared on Oprah, CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and NPR and has been featured in the
New York Times, Time, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, and other national
and international publications. To learn more about Mrs. Coloroso, check out her
website, www.kidsareworthit.com.
Barbara Coloroso with siblings Marin Bonnassies,
6th Grade, and Cleia Bonnassies, 4ème
+Works and Aw ty
n the evening of Wednesday,
O
children in particular.
International School hosted
an international school climate expert,
cluding bullying. +Works also present a
a well-attended meeting in the Sarofim
author of the book Why School Antibul-
series of +™Talks to school communities
Library to launch +Works (pronounced
lying Programs Don’t Work, and +Works
throughout the school year to spark pos-
‘Positive Works’).
Medical Director, “A positive school is a
itive community conversations. Annual
+Works® is a Houston-based, parent-
school that children are excited to go to
evaluation, the formation of a +™Team,
driven, nonprofit organization on a mis-
everyday. We believe it takes an entire
a unique visual reminder campaign, and
sion to get ahead of America’s bullying
community — parents, caregivers, edu-
monthly +™Roundtable meetings of
epidemic by building positive upstand-
cators, coaches, government, business
school leaders round out the first phase
and platform upon which to discuss
January 8, 2012, The Awty
According to Dr. Stuart Twemlow,
school/community climate issues, in-
ing communities. +Schools for the
of the program.
2011-12 school year includes pub-
+Year/PhaseTwo focuses on cus-
lic, private, and parochial schools
tomizing the +Works philosophy
in the Houston area. This repre-
to the school culture. Every school
sents an intense grassroots effort
has unique values, traditions, and
begun in May 2010 and fueled by
culture. The +Works program is a
passionate parents, administra-
mindset, not a curriculum. In the
tors, teachers, coaches, counsel-
second year, aspiring +™School
ors, social workers, pediatricians,
+Works at Awty
teams will work to wrap their cul-
mental health practitioners, and
ture around the +Works mindset
other concerned citizens to raise
in a sustainable way that reflects
awareness of and to break the frame on
and professional leaders — all working
their community’s individuality. +Year/
the bullying issue.
together to create this kind of environ-
Phase Three will focus on maintaining
+Works schools in Houston include
ment for children. It is incredibly im-
the positive mindset and ensuring that
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, St.
portant work that, if taken seriously, can
the newly established framework con-
Paul’s School, Mark Twain Elementary
change the way a community sees itself
tinues to evolve, stays fresh and relevant,
School, Pershing Middle School, Durham
and its responsibility to raise healthy, re-
and is sustainable over time.
Elementary School, St. Michael Catholic
silient, altruistic, and successful citizens.”
“I am looking forward to the impor-
School, Roberts Elementary School,
The +Works approach is a three-phase
tant role +Works will play in enhancing
Kolter Elementary School, and The Awty
process. +Year/Phase One focuses on
and meshing with the efforts of the en-
International School.
fundamentals and cements the key pro-
tire Awty community as we seek to form
The +Works program is designed to
gram tenets with all members of the
outstanding young men and women
focus a school community’s attention
community. +Parenting and +Teach-
who are respectful, resilient, understand-
to the importance of managing power
ing Guides (both available in the parent
ing, and focused on the needs of others,”
dynamics and power struggles in a way
and teacher portals) provide science-
Dr. Stephen Codrington, Head of School.
that creates a high sense of well-being
based information and tools to assist
for everyone in the community, and for
adults in finding a common language
- Brian Kelley
Director of Student Services
ACCENT 2011-2012 89
Cross Country Triumphs
fter losing a good number of
veteran runners on varsity,
the Awty Cross Country teams
were in what is euphemistically known
as a “rebuilding year.” While a number
of key returning runners were key elements, the future of the season rested
upon a number of newcomers. Most
notable was a group of freshman who
the year before proved successful in
the Middle School ranks.
As the season progressed, two leaders emerged as individual standouts.
Senior Guilhem Hack asserted himself
as the team’s front runner while on the
women’s side, freshman Nikita Prasad
assumed the front runner mantle.
Both men and women’s teams steadily improved throughout the season
with impressive team finishes and individual performances at the Dayton,
Tarkington, and Wharton Invitationals.
With each successive meet, it became
clear that both teams could prove potential threats at state in late October,
A
although bad luck struck the men’s
team when veteran Ryan Van Mechelen was hit with an injury.
The state meet proved to be a fantastic day for everyone involved. Both
men’s and women’s teams finished
third in the team competitions. On
the men’s side Guilhem Hack earned
all-state honors with an eighth place
finish followed closely by freshman
Thor Crux who finished an impressive 16th. Rounding out the team was
Ben Matthews, Ryan Van Mechelen,
Rikkert Loosveld, Aurthur Jardin, and
Tommy Buerreta. The women’s team
were led by a pair of freshman with
Nikita Prasad earning all-state honors
with fifth place and Harriet MacDonald
finishing 16th. Rounding out the women’s team is Bella Grant, Claire Jardin,
Giovanna Manisck, Liz Hirs, and Louisa
Stainback.
The Middle School group proved to
be another talented group of young
runners with huge potential. The big-
Coach Hoye, Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, and Coach Sload
gest challenge throughout the year
was bringing them together at one
time to run as a team. For the boys, unfortunately this never quite happened.
While equally challenging for the girls,
the two times they managed to run
together, the results were impressive.
The girls pulled off the holy grail of
scores by earning a “perfect” score at
the Tarkington Invitational, finishing
first through fifth individually. This is
the first and only time this has happened in Awty’s history. They scored
another impressive win at what is arguably the biggest Middle School meet
in the Houston area at Saint John’s
Invitational. We are looking for great
things from these runners next year in
Upper School. The boy’s teams were
represented by Nicolas Motta, Martin
Motta, Abraham Calviello, Tom Grant,
and Kylan Slade. The girls were represented by Amanda Gerlach, Christina
Moreno, Ellana Slade, Caroline Sempre,
and Sydney Arcenaux.
Boys Cross Country Team
8th Graders Amanda Gerlach, Christina Moreno, Caroline
Sempre, Ellana Slade, and Sydney Arceneaux
Girls Cross Country Team
Thomas Berrueta, 11th Grade and
Ryan Van Mechelen, 12th Grade
Fa l l C on c ert
wty’s Music Department presented the 2011 Fall Concert
on Friday, October 21, which
featured the Awty Jazz Ensemble,
Madrigals, Orchestra, Middle School
Choir, Middle School Honor Band,
Awty Singers, Wind Ensemble, and Full
Orchestra.
The Awty Jazz Ensemble opened the
show with two songs, Java Jive and Cubano Chant. The Madrigals followed
with their rendition of Though Philome-
A
Arjun Krishna, 12th Grade
la Lost Her Love and When Will I Be
Loved. The orchestra then performed
Waltz No. 2 and Don’t Stop Believin’. The
Middle School Choir sang Will There
Really be a Morning? and Yonder Come
Day. The Middle School Honor Band
took their turn and performed songs
Fanfare 2000 and Hymn to the Sea. The
Awty Singers sang Ubi Caritas and Se
Lontan, Ben Mio, Tu Sei. The Wind Ensemble then performed three songs
including Volcano, Danse Pavane, and
La Pequeña Marcha Española. The Full
Orchestra closed the concert with Midsummer Night’s Dream.
These musicians were directed by
Robert Dee, Choir Director and Head
of the Performing Arts Department,
Jason Peguero, Band Director, and Gesina Thompson, Orchestra Director
Middle School Choir
Awty Singers
Katelyn Chau, 8th Grade
Albin John, 10th Grade
2011 Homecoming
hosted its annual Homecoming soccer game against the
Fort Bend Baptist Eagles on Friday,
November 11, 2011. The Rams came
away with a big victory over the Eagles, defeating them 6-0.
During halftime, the cheerleaders performed and the Homecoming
Court was announced. Senior Claire
Jardin was crowned Homecoming
Queen and she was escorted by Jad
Izzedin. Hashim Alawami was selected
and crowned the 2011 Homecoming King and he was escorted by Ellie
Tamura. Awty’s 2011 Homecoming
Court also included Ashleigh Coates
as 9th Grade Princess escorted by Ted
Calviello. Armanda Simon was nomi-
T
nated 10th Grade Princess and she was
escorted by Carlos Luis. Caroline Ibrahim, who was escorted by Salomon De
Lima, was named 11th Grade Princess.
Mrs. Ute Hohrath was also recognized
during halftime for the countless hours
she has spent volunteering at Awty,
particularly for the Rams Booster Club.
During the week leading up to the
homecoming game, students and staff
participated in several “spirited” activities. On Monday, November 7, Awty
students dressed in mismatched clothing as they “Clashed the Eagles”. On
Tuesday, November 8, Awty students
tipped their hats off to the Rams and
socked it to the Eagles by wearing a
silly hat and/or crazy socks to school.
On Wednesday, November 9, Awty stu-
Seniors Jad Izzedin, Claire Jardin, Hashim Alawami, and Ellie Tamura
dents sent the Eagles to dreamland by
dressing in their favorite pajamas. On
Thursday, November 10, Awty students
showed their school pride by wearing the 2011 Homecoming T-shirt. On
Friday, November 11, Awty students
showed an abundance of school spirit
by wearing green and gold, some even
painting their faces and/or coloring
their hair with the school colors. They
also participated in a pep rally on Friday, which was organized by the Awty
Cheerleaders. The cheerleaders led the
student body in a number of cheers
and introduced the Varsity Boys Soccer
Team as well as the candidates for the
2011 Homecoming Court.
10th Grade Students Gabriella Mahan, Giovanna Manisck, Danna
Ghafir, Luisa Stainback, Nicolas Marie, and Tyler Goulding
Christian Manisck, 12th Grade
Devin Arrants, 7th Grade, and
Nicolas Verchere, 5ème
3rd Grade Students Krishna Bikkina
and Langston Jackson
2011 Homecoming
9th Grade Students Jessica Eddington, Michelle Hansen, and Syeda Jan
5ème Students Paul Marande and Paul Bourgogne
2011-2012 Cheerleaders with the Awty Rams
CM1 Students Isabelle Pham, Serine
Elbakly, and Chloé Ruzzo
Mark Conner, 12th Grade
2011 Homecoming Court
8th Grade Students Sami Diab, Lucas Jonasch,
Tom Grant, Adam Brown, and Chippy Slater
Danna Ghafir, 10th Grade
Holiday traditions
nce again, The Awty International School kicked off
the holiday season with
the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on
December 2. The entire student body,
staff, and faculty attended the event
and were entertained by the Lower
School Choir, Middle School Select
Choir, Madrigals, Awty Singers, Orchestra, and the Wind Ensemble.
Everyone in attendance sang along
to some holiday classics including Silent Night and Feliz Navidad. Santa
even made a special appearance during the ceremony, delighting students
both young and old.
Keeping with tradition, the student
who has been at Awty the longest and
the student who has attended Awty
the shortest amount of time were
honored with lighting Awty’s Christmas tree during the event. This year,
the honor went to five students. Four
seniors, Will Eldridge, Audrey Linnartz,
O
Mark Conner, and Jad Izzedin, began
attending Awty as preschoolers in
1997 and have all been at Awty the
longest. Victor Haslin, a PS student, is
the youngest student and the student
who has attended Awty the shortest.
They were joined by Dr. Codrington
and Santa in lighting the tree.
Later in December, Awty’s Performing Arts Department presented A
Winter Concert. Under the direction
of Robert Dee, Jason Peguero, Sina
Thompson, and Arlene Carré, the Beginning Band, 8th Grade Dancers, the
Middle School Honor Band, the Orchestra, the Madrigals, the Awty Jazz
Ensemble, the Middle School Choir,
the Awty Singers, the Wind Ensemble,
and the Awty Full Orchestra as well
as several soloists performed at the
event. Songs like Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and You’re a
Mean One, Mr. Grinch were performed.
On December 14, Santa made a spe-
Will Eldridge, 12th Grade, Audrey Linnartz, 12th Grade, Santa Claus, Victor Haslin, PS,
Dr. Stephen Codrington, Mark Conner, 12th Grade, and Jad Izzedin, 12th Grade
cial visit to Awty to gather toys that
the students had collected. He made a
grand entrance on top of a fire engine
from Houston Fire Department Station
No. 38. Santa and the firefighters visited with the students before gathering the toys that were collected. Santa
then distributed the toys to local charities in Houston.
This year, not only did the students
collect toys for those less fortunate,
but the Awty Secondary classes also
held a holiday food drive competition between advisements. Together,
approximately 6,300 food items were
collected and distributed to six charities in the Houston area. The food was
divided up and delivered to the following organizations: Salvation Army, Star
of Hope, CASA Juan Diego, Turning
Point Center, Casa de Esperanza de los
Ninos, Ridgecrest Elementary School,
and House of Tiny Treasures.
Santa Claus visits with some of the Preschoolers.
Lower School students deliver toys to the
firemen of Fire Station No. 38.
Students from both the Upper School and
Lower School sing “Feliz Navidad”.
Food collected for the Holiday Food Drive.
Seniors Andrew Vodinh and Nicolas Useche
2011-2012 Cheerleaders
Winter Sports Teams Honored
Awty’s Spirit Club, sponsored by Anton Truong, Secondary Teacher and Chair of the
Science Department, hosted a pep rally on Thursday, February 9 in honor of the
Winter Sports Teams including Soccer, Basketball, and Swimming. Awty’s drumline
kicked off the event followed by several cheers from the 2011-2012 Cheerleading
squad. Members of the Wind Ensemble also performed. The athletes on the winter teams participated in a lively relay race. The Awty Ram mascots got the crowd
on their feet creating a spur-of-the-moment mosh pit. The pep rally ended with
the students (and teachers) dancing the Macarena.
Awty Rams Christopher Corcoran
and Anne Nhung Paulhe
Philip Etuk, 12th Grade
The 7th Grade Girls Basketball Team was the District Runner-up and the 8th Grade
Girls Basketball Team was the District Co-Champion. The Varsity Girls Swim Team
placed third at State and Andrea Moreno was the State Champion in the 200 Yard
Freestyle. Both the Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer Teams became District Champions this year with the Boys Team winning regionals and advancing to the TAPPS
State Championship Tournament. Congratulations to all!
Seniors Christian Manisck and
Ryan Van Mechelen
2 0 1 2 Bo ok Fa i r
housands of titles in English,
T
The Book Fair serves a crucial portion
ent volunteers was truly appreciated.
French, Spanish, and Dutch
of the Awty Libraries’ mission: to foster
Thank you to everyone who purchased
were on display and for sale
a love of reading and cultivate life-long
a book (or many books!) at the fair. Your
during Awty’s annual Book Fair on Feb-
readers. Reading is a huge predictor of
purchases added to the Book Fair’s suc-
ruary 29 - March 2, 2012. All students in
academic success.
cess. With your help, proceeds directly
grades 1 through 12 visited the three-
Many thanks to the Awty librarians
benefit our students. Book Fair revenue
day Book Fair, while Pre-Schoolers could
and all those who helped to make this
supports school reading programs and
attend with their parents. The students
event a success—both as a generator
enables the libraries on campus to host
could select books for the simple plea-
of reading for pleasure and as a profit-
author visits and writing workshops.
sure of reading or to prepare for sum-
making enterprise. All of the help from
mer reading.
Awty faculty, staff, student, and par-
3rd Grade Students Therese Harmon, Natasha
Morgan, Heris Salek, and Mariana Suarez-Gaviria
Charly Lindley, GS, and Andrew Davis, Kinder
Middle School students
search for the perfect book.
10th Graders Sohail Dhanji, Preston Simmons, Ahsan
Khan, Austin Arceneaux, and Nitin Ponnaganti
ACCENT 2011-2012 101
2012 Francophonie
celebrated the International
Day of Francophonie on Friday, March 16, 2012. This day was filled
with fun events for all students from
PK-3/PS to 12th Grade/Tle.
On March 16, students, faculty, and
staff members showed their French
pride by dressing in the French colors
of blue, white, and red. The French Bilingual Section organized a special and
eventful Francophonie day for the students. The Preschool students began
their day with a special breakfast in the
Kay Awty Center. A group of Middle
and Upper School students put on a
fashion show three times during the
day. The fashions modeled were created by the students and represented
Francophonie. In the Lower School
classrooms, students played French
board games and made crafts. Posters with Francophonie themes were
created and displayed in the US lunchroom. The Lower School students then
judged and voted on the best one.
The French 6th grade students went
to different classrooms during 1st period and told tales from Francophonie
countries while the French 10th grade
students delivered French desserts to
different classrooms. During 2nd period, the French 8th graders presented
a quiz about Francophonie. Upper
School students had a couple of opportunities during the day to listen to
writer and photographer Patrick Bard
present his work. The 7th grade French
T
Section students performed plays they
put together under the guidance of
Dr. Jean-Luc Detchessahar. Students
from Lower School to Upper School
enjoyed friendly games of petanque.
The 1ère students performed a play
they wrote entitled “My Tweetbook+”.
In the afternoon, students in 1st grade/
CP through 12th grade/Tle ended the
day with a show of performances in
the PAAC including a surpise appearance by the international Hip Hop and
rap group, International Renegades,
which includes two Awty alums, Simon
Jouhet and Antoine Larrieu-Wattel.
Later that evening, all Awty families
were invited to a casual potluck dinner
with traditional “francophone” dishes.
At the potluck dinner, awards for Awty’s Short Story competition were presented to Upper and Middle Schools
students from both sections.
The Francophonie events would not
have been possible without the help
of several parent volunteers, teachers,
and staff members and for this, Awty
THANKS YOU!!! Parent Volunteers who
helped during lunch and snack/break
time included Karen Jakubowicz, Catherine Houy, Agnes Fender, Annabelle
Bigno, Monika Hraby, Guenaelle Roze,
Rachel Daveau, Carine Lion, Lucia
Warden, Amelie Ferreira, Isabelle Girardeau, Anne Maizia, Catherine Corcoran, Genoveva Jeanneret, Sandrine
Palazzi, Laurette Sadek, and Stephanie de Tugny. Parents who helped sell
Francophonie T-shirts included Cathe-
rine Corcoran, Yamina Audetat, Sabine
Juery, Amelie Ferreira, Anne Maizia,
Valerie Lindley, Jill Munk, Nicole Stefftgen, and Mandy Liu. The following
parents helped with the decorations:
Catherine Corcoran, Anne Maizia, Sylvie Delusseau, Anne Baubert, Mandy
Liu, Rachel Colliaux, Laetitia Joubert,
and Suzanne Daniault. Thank you also
to Rosemarie Abbouchi, Delphine
Remy, and Raffi Tcholakian and Meredith Philipp-Tcholakian for donating
food. The Secondary teachers who
helped with the coordination of the
day’s events included Laure Joseph,
Frederic Houville, Genevieve Lavaud,
Fabienne Cowan, Isabelle Driel, Sophie Fernandez de Paredes, Jean-Luc
Detchessahar, Jason Peguero, Martha
Bawara, Renata Bevilacqua, Melanie
Gauthy, Valerie Genin, Sonia Richi,
Nadia Triki, Maria Cristina Villaseñor,
and Ilham Yahia. The Primary teachers and staff included Karine Pousset,
Marie-Dominique Lee, Anne Clonan,
Dominique Pouettre, Hervé Duclos,
Beatrice Person, Elise Devesa, AnneGaelle Josselin-Anderson, Marie-Line
Viart, Anne Le Breton, Brigitte Poupard, Christelle Le Gardien, Florence
Guiheneuf-Boerger, Sandie Masson,
Christelle Flageollet, Cécile Kombrza,
Michael Flanet, Emmanuelle Roussel,
and Myra Arslan.
6th Grade/6ème Students Suleyman Amjad, Omar Abbouchi, Matteo Frateschi,
Nolan Kelly, Kevin Hardman, Mohammed Hamza, and Rhett Cai.
Upper School students storm the stage as International
Renegades perform at the Francophonie celebration.
5ème Students Julien Rampon,
Peter Prentice, and Edgar Bauer
Shirley Ann Frautschi, CE1
2012 Francophonie
Inès Montfajon, 2nde
Chloe Herron, PK-4
5ème Students Heloïse Juery and Capella Bignol
6ème Students Basile Caron and Paul Gondallier de Tugny
Genoveva Jeanneret, Sandrine Palazzi, Laurette Sadek, Stephanie Gondallier de
Tugny, Lucia Warden, Catherine Corcoran, Anne Maizia, and Maria Fonseca
5ème Students Indra Acogny, Hassane
Abba-Kaka, and Pierre Delelis
CM2 Students Neelam Monroy, Isabel Guinotte,
and Jeanne Bourgogne
ACCENT 2011-2012 105
Upper School students play
a game of petanque.
Br av o ! ! !
Daniella Jimenez played a clown in
Houston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”.
aniella Jimenez, 5th Grade,
has been dancing with the
Houston Ballet Academy
for five years now. Each year all of the
students are allowed to audition for
a position in the production of the
Nutcracker which is performed at the
Wortham from Thanksgiving to the
end of Christmas time. Fortunately, after much hard preparation Daniella has
been asked to be a part of the Houston
Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker
for the past three years. This year, she
once again auditioned and was selected to play a new role, a clown in the
“Land of Sweets,” in the production.
This role was a more advanced role
and Daniella’s hard work and practice
paid off.
D
Caroline George with her photograph
“Untitled” at HCP’s Master Class exhibition.
aroline George, 11th Grade,
has an eye for photography
and in November 2012, her
photograph, Untitled, was selected to
be a part of Houston Center of Photography’s (HCP) Master Class exhibition.
She was the only teenager selected
to be a part of the exhibition. The
other photographers selected were all
adults. She had a one percent chance
of getting in the show and not only
was her photograph selected but it
was also the one used in the advertisements for the exhibition.
C
Ryan Bitar’s artwork at the 6th Annual
Via Colori Street Painting Festival.
wty student Ryan Bitar, 11th
Grade, was chosen as an Apprendista Artist for The 6th annual Via Colori Street Painting Festival
on November 19-20. Ryan’s artwork
was selected and displayed alongside
200 professional artists at the festival.
As a representative of The Awty International School, along with 14 other
students from surrounding districts
participating, Ryan was able to experience a distinct and historic art form of
street painting for over 20,000 attendees to see. Via Colori: Via Apprendista is
a great opportunity to feature talented
young artists as they help transform
the downtown pavements of Houston,
to an eye-catching array of color. This
amazing festival incorporates the grassroots art experience, with interactive
fun for all ages. This annual event takes
place in Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. Proceeds go to The Center for Hearing and Speech. The goal is
to generate awareness about hearing
loss in children and to increase public
access for art in Houston.
A
Ryan Bitar, Clara Loeb, & Daichi Onda
played in the TPSMEA Band & Orchestra.
nce again this year, Awty
had three students who
earned places in the
TPSMEA Band and Orchestra. Juniors
Ryan Bitar, alto sax, Clara Loeb, viola,
and Daichi Onda, violin, went to San
Marcos, Texas in January 2012 to perform with students from across Texas.
Ryan took the first chair in his section
and Clara took third chair in her section. The guest orchestra conductor
and clinician was Mr. Stephen Heyde
of Baylor University. All-State Clinicians for Band were Richard Floyd Symphonic Band, and Kris Berg- Jazz
Ensemble. The All State Concert was
January 28 at Evans Auditorium, Texas
State University. Congratulations to
these three outstanding student musicians!
O
Danny Jason, Cheryl Crosier, HPJC EC
Treasurer and Judy Hoffhien, Director of
Peace Camp/Peace Club.
n April 29, The Houston
Peace and Justice Center
recognized and honored
Danny Jason, 9th Grade, for his contribution to peace in the Houston community. Danny has been involved with
Peace Camp Houston, a summer day
camp for children, since 2009. He began his work with Peace Camp when
doing his community service project
for his Bar Mitzvah. His project consisted of implementing Peace Camp’s
website, assisting camp counselors,
and being Peace Camp 2009’s official
photographer. He has continued his
work with Peace Camp and has been
a junior counselor in 2010 and 2011.
Danny has also participated in Peace
Club since 2011.
O
Kayley George performs the
Chinese fine art skill, Taiji Fan.
ayley George, 11th Grade,
won third place in the preelection of the international
Chinese competition Chinese Bridge,
which was held here in Houston at
the Chinese Consulate. Chinese Bridge
is considered to be the biggest and
toughest Chinese proficiency competition worldwide. Candidates from
eight southern states competed in the
pre-election in April. The candidates
had to recite a three minute speech in
Chinese, answer one question in Chinese regarding Chinese culture, and
perform a two minute Chinese fine art
skill. Kayley, who was the only candidate from Houston, performed the fine
art of Taiji, something she learned in
only nine hours with a Kongfu master
here in Houston.
K
ACCENT 2011-2012 107
4th Graders Yassmine Abba-Kaka, Johanna Versteeg, and
Isabella Evans enjoy time at the 2012 International Festival.
Thank You! Merci!
his issue of Accent would not have been possible without the help
of many. A special thanks to all who contributed an article, a quote,
and/or photography. Thank you also to those who helped with
the translations, reviewed and edited articles, identified photographs,
conducted interviews, and/or covered events. THANK YOU! MERCI!
T
Olga Alexander
Kim Gowen
Jiayao Pang
Robbie Angell
Ruthanne Greenwood
Jason Peguero
Bailey Architects, Inc.
Florence Guiheneuf-Boerger
Susan Permenter
Martha Bawara
Jasper Gumatay
Meredith Philipp-Tcholakian
Guy Benet
Jay Harpole
Dominique Pouettre
Jesse Bolka
Ronald Jackson
Veronique Prentice
Margaret Buehler
Silvia Jason
Christine Preti
Philippe Carré
Michelle Jimenez
Corinne Rochette
Vanitta Clarke-Douglas
Becky Johnson
Emmanuelle Roussel
Penny Cleveland
Danielle Jones
Claire Ruz
Dr. Stephen Codrington
Reema Kasavich
Fran Shearon
Tita Cubria
Brian Kelley
Robert Sload
Kneale Culbreath
Jill L’Abbate
Mary Thomas
Don Davis
Lifetouch Photography
Gesina Thompson
Beatrice De Gouyon-Person
Lauren Linn
Matthew Vu
Tzu-Hui Dequin
Lisa MacDonald
Erika Watson
Miranda DeVries
Boualem Maizia
Karen Waugh
Linda Doolittle
Marcia Marty
Dominique Wilequet
Veronique Douet
Sheri McDonald
Steve Willhelm
Louise Dreyfus
Corinne Micaëlli
Kristine Winegarden
Richard Durst
Shalah Mohammed
Tairong Zheng
Will Eldridge
Monica Mohring
Jemima Evans
Carol Nash
Sarah Fisher
Liza Navarro
Aimee Flood
Nelson Photography
Tyler Flood
Marie-Hélène Nguyen
Monica Fulton
Brian Oakley
Susan George
Kathleen Offner
ACCENT 2011-2012 109
ACCENT is published at the end of each school
year by the Advancement Department at The Awty
International School. This publication is for parents,
alumni, and friends of the school. Communication
may be addressed to the editor/designer.
MR. RONALD JACKSON
Director of Advancement and External Affairs
MS. GWEN CARIO
Associate Director of Communications
and Editor/Designer
MRS. REEMA KASAVICH
Associate Director of Annual Fund
MRS. LAUREN LINN
Associate Director of Events
MRS. CAROL NASH
Advancement Coordinator and Database Manager
MS. LIZA NAVARRO
Advancement Associate
ADDRESS CHANGE?
Please notify the Advancement Department of any
address changes.
PARENTS:
If this issue is addressed to your child who no longer
maintains a permanent address at your home, please
send the correct address to:
Attn: Advancement Department
7455 Awty School Lane
Houston, Texas 77055
Tel: 713-328-5861
Email: [email protected]
ACCENT is printed on recycled paper
at Modern PrintShop, Houston.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

ACCENT 2011-2012 at The Awty International School 56

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