KCD Headlines

New ceramics projects inspire artists

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:28:27 +0000

The goal of professional development is to inspire teachers to bring new ideas to the classroom. That is exactly what happened when US art teacher Maggie Towne received a Fortnight Grant* allowing her to attend a Colorado workshop with ceramic sculptor Arthur Gonzalez. Ms. Towne says that she was inspired both personally and professionally by the experience. As a result, she has introduced two new projects to her ceramics classes this year. She is also proud to announce that two of the sculptures created by her students have been recognized in the 2012 Scholastic Art Awards.

For the Open Book project, students created a book that included sculptural or relief elements. According to Ms. Towne, some students drew their inspiration from a literary source while others used personal symbols in their work.

The second project was a figurative head sculpture. Students prepared by exploring different sculpting techniques and studying facial structure and anatomy. Once again, students used the outline of the project to create a very diverse set of pieces.

Senior Colson Steier has spent a lot of time in the studio working on his pieces. Colson says that he has learned to respond when his work goes in an unexpected direction. “Sometimes you see something that makes your ideas evolve, and you change direction,” he explains. Senior Kelli Huneke has created two head sculptures so far and has enjoyed the challenge of capturing the human face in clay. “Art is an outlet for me,” she says. “It lets me relax and be calm when I’m stressed out.”

Ms. Towne submitted a number of her students’ pieces to the Scholastic Art competition. Colson Steier’s book sculpture “Walrus Canoe” was recognized with a Silver Key Award, and Brooke Huneke’s head sculpture “A Man’s Values” earned an Honorable Mention. Both pieces will be exhibited at Gheens Academy from February 7 to March 1.

More photos on Flickr

*Fortnight grants are made possible by an anonymous donor. These grants cover program fees and travel expenses for teachers seeking professional development experiences in the US or abroad.

Arts Guild purchases alumnus’ paintings for Arts Center

james.booker — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:11:41 +0000

Thanks to the Fine Arts Guild, KCD has acquired a pair of paintings by Martin Benson ‘05, who is now working as an artist in New Orleans. The works are an untitled pair of abstract, mixed media paintings that will be hung in the new Fine Arts Center.The paintings were delivered in December, and we plan to have Martin back this spring to unveil the work and speak about his experiences as an artist after graduating.

KCD welcomes guests from China

james.booker — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:23:04 +0000

This week, KCD welcomed a group of students and teachers from our sister schools in Jiujiang, China. The group arrived in Louisville on Sunday and were formally welcomed to KCD on Monday morning with a ceremony that included introductions, student performances, and an exchange of gifts.

During the week, our guests have met with students in all three divisions and experienced Louisville through visits to Churchill Downs and the YUM! Brands suite during last night’s U of L basketball game.

We are honored to have been able to host our Chinese visitors and hope that this visit will lead to even greater friendship between our two cities.

More photos on Flickr

KCD curriculum aims to boost financial literacy

james.booker — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:22:32 +0000

Last fall, Education Secretary Arne Duncan urged schools to integrate financial literacy education and training programs into their curriculum. Citing the recent mortgage crisis, low savings rates, and lack of investment in markets and startups, Mr. Duncan stated that “To continue to have a population that is relatively illiterate in these matters . . . has real negative consequences to our democracy.”

KCD has already taken several key steps toward integrating financial literacy into our upper school curriculum. The Introduction to Finance and Investing elective has been offered in the Upper School for several years. This year, thanks to an endowment established by an anonymous donor, KCD is offering a new elective course providing an introduction to economics. Both classes are taught by math teacher Bill Crawford, who has a degree in economics and extensive experience working as an independent trader.

Introduction to Economics is an introduction to markets and microeconomics. According to Mr. Crawford, the class prepares students to think objectively about our economy, government policies, and individual businesses.

Introduction to Finance and Investing focuses on the debt and equity markets while exploring short, intermediate, and long-term investment strategies. Mr. Crawford states that “the goal of this class is for students to acquire the framework needed to build savings that will leave them financially secure as they grow older.”

As we reported previously, the Upper School has also established a partnership with Junior Achievement. In this program, financial leaders from the community have held a series of financial literacy workshops with upper school students throughout the fall and winter. Today’s session, for example, covered identity theft and credit reports.

Pat Grismer, Chief Planning and Control Officer for YUM! Brands as well as a KCD parent and JA session leader, believes that these classes are more important than ever given the turbulent state of the world economy. “There’s never been a more important time for students to learn fiscal responsibility,” he said. “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to share practical knowledge with KCD students to broaden their awareness of financial concepts and help them make wise financial decisions in the years ahead.”

Senior Andrea Wambaugh said that she has appreciated learning more about personal finance. “I think it’s really important,” she said, “especially for the seniors, to learn a little about managing money before we go off to college.” According to junior Brock Burton, “These classes . . . have really put into perspective how important it is to have good money management skills as well as well-rounded knowledge about finance. I think I can speak for the entire high school when I say that these classes were valuable and their lessons will definitely help guide our financial decisions later in life.”

Girls capture All A Tournament title!

james.booker — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:58:43 +0000

Congratulations to the girl’s varsity basketball team, who beat Collegiate 44-40 on Saturday night to win the All A Classic Seventh Region Tournament. Senior Shelbi Hendricks led the team with 24 points and 20 rebounds. Junior Olivia Alford also had a great game, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Bearcats dominated the final quarter of the game, outscoring the Amazons 23-8. Shelbi Hendricks, Olivia Alford, and Kennedi Hayes were named to the All Tournament Team.

The boys’ team advanced to the finals of the tournament but lost 51-48 to the Titans in a hard-fought game. Blake Scinta and Robert Scholtz were named to the All Tournament Team.

Both Coach Young and Coach Booker expressed their appreciation for the crowd support and school spirit that was on display during the tournament games. “You were the loudest, most energetic, and organized crowd that I have seen in my decade of coaching at KCD,” Coach Young told Bearcat fans. “Your support made a real difference in the outcome of the game!” Coach Booker told fans that “The spirit, cheers, and noise was a great advantage for us and made it extremely tough on our opponents. You truly inspired our athletes as they competed their hearts out.”

The tournament also marked the debut of the new Bearcat scorers table, which was donated by the families of senior boys' basketball players. Thanks to these families for their their generosity!

KCD parent Carla Klink has been shooting pictures of the girls’ games all season and got great pictures of both teams during the tournament. Thanks to Carla for sharing her pictures with Bearcat Basketball fans!

Girls’ basketball photo gallery

Boys’ basketball photo gallery

KCD escapes major storm damage

james.booker — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:36:34 +0000

It was certainly a strange start to the week! Just minutes after the tornado sirens sounded on Tuesday, students were entering designated shelter areas. Thanks to regular drills and an established communication plan, the process went quickly and very smoothly. Teachers, students, and a group of parent volunteers spent about 45 minutes in shelter areas before the National Weather Service gave the all clear. During that time, division directors developed a plan to get students to lunch and afternoon classes with a minimum of disruption.

We were very fortunate that school buildings did not sustain any major damage, although bleachers and other athletic equipment was tossed around by the 100 mph winds. The most serious damage occurred on the southern edge of campus, where dozens of mature trees were snapped or uprooted. Unfortunately, the Gallopalooza horse created by KCD students in 2009 was also toppled and damaged in the storm.

All in all, our teachers and students worked together admirably to make sure that everyone was safe. Thank you for coming through in a difficult situation!

Film premiere will honor Gray Henry Blakemore ‘61

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:43:43 +0000

On February 1, a Clifton Center event will celebrate birthdays of Gray Henry-Blakemore and Thomas Merton. This event will also see the Louisville premiere of Transmissions, a film by Eleanor Bingham Miller.

According to Ms. Miller, the film “travels with Gray on her 50-year spiritual journey from Louisville to New York, then Egypt and the East, then England and finally home to Louisville, where she founded The Fons Vitae Press. Transmissions honors her tireless efforts on the local, national and global level in the field of Interfaith Relations.” Fons Vitae regularly draws internationally known religious leaders and scholars to Louisville, and Ms. Blakemore helps plan and produce Louisville’s annual Festival of Faiths.

Please RSVP to ebmiller@mac.com or 502-560-1355.

KCD students make a difference through service

james.booker — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:06:10 +0000

KCD makes a mark in our community through our academic prowess, athletic championships, and amazing arts programs. Another way that KCD is impacting the community is through service projects. Each year, students from all three divisions have the opportunity to participate in service learning projects whose effects are felt throughout our local community and beyond. Students and teachers have done an excellent job of identifying those in need and finding a way to make a difference.

Below is an overview of some of the many of the service projects completed this school year:

The Upper School collected hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and coats for Wayside Christian Mission and Cabbage Patch Settlement House. Students collected about thirty coats, thirty-five pairs of gloves, fifteen scarves, and twenty hats.
Every year, Mr. Wilhelmi’s seventh grade science students donate about 90% of the yield from their gardening unit — usually two to three bushels of turnips. Students grow, harvest, cut, and wash the vegetables, which are ready to eat when they are donated to Wayside Christian Mission.
About twenty members of the Community Service Club delivered holiday cards to residents at the Springhurst Pines Nursing Home. The residents enjoyed opening the cards while listening to the students singing carols. The project was led by sophomores Asya Akca and Sarah Zappone.
The eighth grade once again made blankets to donate to the Home of the Innocents. Students measured, cut, and tied to create fifteen blankets to donate to the home.
Over the years, the KCD Tamale Water Project, in collaboration with Edge Ministries and Sister Cities of Louisville, has funded six water catchment systems for schools in Tamale. The group is now looking to raise $5,000 in order to add water purification systems to each of these catchment systems.
Thanks to school-wide participation, the third grade collected $580 at their annual Cookie Bazaar. This money will be donated to the KCD Tamale Water Project.
The eleven eighth graders in Julie Riggs-Johnson’s advisee group adopted two Angels from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. The students collected over $200 worth of gifts for a three-year-old girl and a thirteen-year-old boy.
Third graders spread good cheer at local nursing homes by caroling and visiting with residents.

Kudos to all our students and teachers who have dedicated so much of their time and effort to helping those in need. It’s great that service is a valued part of our community!

Assembly celebrates Simple Gifts

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:41:01 +0000

Before the start of Midyear Break, KCD gathered for the annual Simple Gifts assembly. In addition to musical performances from students in all three divisions, the assembly highlighted the many service projects that happened at KCD this winter and throughout the year.

Many of these projects were featured in the video below, which was also shown at the assembly.

Photos from the assembly are on Flickr

Fall athletes honored at awards assembly

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:31:05 +0000

Athletes in fall sports were honored during an assembly during X period today. Award winners are pictured below.

Football

Robertson Trophy: Jordan Duff
Most Valuable Offensive Back: Robert Scholtz
Most Valuable Lineman: Matt Kircher
Andrew B. Ward Defensive Player of the Year: Nik Gorman
Matt Meriwether Head Hunter Award: Nik Gorman
Coaches Award: Collier Clay
Most Improved: Daylen Norris

Boys’ Soccer

David Michael Memorial Award: Michael Worthington
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Walker Goodbub
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Luke Schmidt
Coaches Award: David Holtgrave
Heart Award: David Carson

Girls’ Soccer

Board Award: Kate Zoppoth
Coaches Award: Olivia Alford
Heart Award: Andrea Wambaugh
Most Valuable Player: Kate Waterman
Most Improved: Emaan Mahmood

Volleyball

Joe Sorrell Volleyball Award: Shelbi Hendricks
Coaches Award: Cali Klink
Horizon Award: Sam Laurel
Most Valuable Player: Shelbi Hendricks

Boys’ Cross Country

Board Award: Frank James
Most Valuable Runner: Parker Head
Coaches Award: Michael Worthington
Most Improved: Michael Yunker
Rookie of the Year: Noah Gillis

Girls’ Cross Country

Board Award: Meredith Brown
Most Improved Runner: Amanda Berman
Coach’s Award: Malorie Eisenbrei
Most Valuable Runner: Kate Zoppoth
Rookie of the Year: Sarah Zappone

Boys’ Golf

Boys Board Award: Mac Telle
Coaches Award: Zach Herfel
Most Improved Player: Rahool Bhimani

Girls’ Golf

Board Award: Marra Burton
Coach’s Award: Kelsey Dutli
Most Improved: Jasmine Valentine

Field Hockey

Tway Field Hockey Award: Caroline Flowers
Most Valuable Player: Liz Paschal
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Caroline Flowers
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Erin Stevens
Most Improved: Hillary Hunt
Coaches Award: Liz Paschal
Hard Core Bearcat “HCB” Award: Healey Loeffler