ToadBlogs-from The Thacher School

Acting Out

Amanda Brown — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:33:32 GMT

I am in the acting class, with four other students, and we work all year long to put on a production at the end of the year. This year we worked on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and just performed it over the weekend for three nights. It is a comedy consisting of fitting most of Shakespeare's plays into about an hour and a half.

It was my first time ever performing on stage, but hopefully not my last! It was such a fun time being able to perform in front of an audience and not caring what happened because everyong knows you. After performing, I felt so proud of myself about going in front of everyone and show what I have learned over the course of this year. This was definitely the best way to start my acting career!

Drama Bonanza

Tawni Stoop — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:31:38 GMT

As freshmen, we take a course that introduces us to all four types of art offered at the School. Of the four, my current one is by far my favorite. I'm in Intro to Drama, and it is the most fun out there. Mr.Jensen is so funny when he teaches, it's just a lot of fun.

Today in Drama as our sort of 'culminating project,' our class decided to record our own music video to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." It was basically the most fun I've had in any of my art classes. With coordinated lip-syncing, cheesy smiles and choreography, we made the video a hit. We still have yet to see the finished product, but with how much fun we had in the process of making it, it can be nothing short of amazing.

A Whole Lotta Tennis

Amanda Brown — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:30:35 GMT

Sophomore year is already arriving at an end--we only have 30 days until graduation, and considering the one week of camping and finals week, we really don't have much time left. The last 2 weeks were the busiest weeks I've yet to face at Thacher: attending Sr. Ex's, a 1500 word research paper (I did mine on Queen Mary I), our last out-of-class English essay (on Their Eyes Were Watching God), SAT IIs and of course, the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament.

The Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament is the oldest amateur tennis tournament in the US, started by none other than our school founder's brother. It is a old school tradition to help out with this tournament, and that's exactly what we sophomores did. Two weeks ago from Thursday to Sunday, we pulled all-day shifts at different positions. I had the luck of being able to experience all parts of the tournament by helping out with the computers, the Tea Tent and ball girling.

The computer station, although the longest shift, allowed me to experience what happens in the offices during the tournament: Amanda, Alex and I (all three of us coincidentally are ToadBloggers) answered phones and recorded/uploaded scores in the books and on the website all day long. While it was tiring, I felt like I was actually contributing something to the tournament, and it was a rewarding experience.

The next day, I worked as a ball girl in four matches. Watching these talented players really made me want to grab the racket in my room and take up tennis again! Ball "birling" (boy + girl -ing) was at times exhausting: standing in the sun for 2 hours in the sun is not the most pleasant experience. (One bystander during a long rally remarked, "I hope they're paying you high bucks!" to which I could only respond with a faint smile.) Getting my visor signed by Farah and Van't Hof (who were the Men's doubles winners from USC), did make my day slightly more bearable though.

On the last day, I was given the less rigorous job of helping out with the Tea Tent. I just arranged cookies in a platter and did some dishes, and during my breaks got to watch amazing tennis.

Overall, the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament was a fun, rewarding experience, but I think I'll prefer watching the game with a cool drink when it's time for next year's tournament.

On the Horizon

Douglas Smith Land — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:32:51 GMT

With less than two months until graduation, it's time for me to think about the next step. I've chosen to attend Wesleyan University in Connecticut next year, and I am super excited about that. It is nice to have a great place to look forward to, especially when I am so sad about leaving Thacher. I can't imagine what it will be like next year without all of my friends, but, fortunately, I have two great friends coming to Wesleyan with me, and I know a bunch of kids who will be in the area. While I'm excited for my next adventure away from Thacher, it will be good to have a few friendly faces around campus.

Right now I've got to concentrate on my Senior Exhibition, which is this Friday, so let's hope I get everything done in time.

Ski and Rock Climbing Trips

Alex Macmillan — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:31:44 GMT

Two of the past three weekends I have been lucky enough to go on two of the coolest camping trips I have ever been on, thanks to the Thacher Camping program. Two weekends ago, I went up to the High Sierra with two seniors and Mr. Pidduck for a three day ski trip. We hiked up to the snow line, strapped on our skiis, skinned up to the Golden Trout Camp cabins, and set up what would be our base camp for the next few days. With deep blue skies and soft snow, we skied some awesome couloirs and saw some awesome views within an hours hike from the camp. For the whole trip, we only skied over our own tracks. Today, I got back from a three day car-camping trip out at Joshua Tree National Park. I went with the advanced rock climbing group, Mr. Manson, and Mr. Pidduck. Together, we climbed some of the most aesthetic routes I have ever seen on perfect granite rock. I followed both Mr. Pidduck and Mr. Manson up such routes as Dazed and Confused, Mental Physics, and Solid Gold. I accredit my luck to go on such spectacular trips to my decision to participate in advanced rock climbing this spring. All it took was this one decision, and I have now discovered a new passion in rock climbing and have gone on some unbelievable camping trips.

Back in the RIGHT Saddle!

Tawni Stoop — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:27:52 GMT

Gymkhana season--where we practice and compete in races--is definitely one of the most exciting seasons at Thacher. The speed, the precision, and the teams are so exciting. First time for me, I had to ride a COMPLETELY different horse for gymkhana, due to the fact that my horse was lame. I ran 2 races this way, completely uncomfortable and getting nothing done.

Just this past week, my horse Cutter started to get better from being lame. I can ride him again, but slow at that. It doesn't matter though. This Wednesday was my first time riding Gymkhana on my horse. We took it slow, but regardless, it was so much fun. He was excited, as was I, as we completed the quadrangle, the speed barrels, and the figure 8 flags together for the first time. Speed is nothing compared to the relationship between my horse and I.

p.s. Green Team this season is definitely taking the win again :)

Gymkhana has begun: GO GREEN!

Sean Wyatt — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:27:09 GMT

The 2008 Gymkhana season began three weeks ago and as of this past Gymkhana my team, The Green Team, is ahead by about 150 points. It has been a close battle this year against Blue. Over the past years, since my brother was freshman, Green has been on a winning streak. Now that my friends and I are captains of The Illustrious Green Team, it is our job to maintain our historical prominence. So far we have been doing a stellar job, especially with last week's gymkhana where we put on a incredible performance of horsemanship and precision riding to score the highest in team points among all three teams.

This Wednesday is Grandparents' Day and a crucial gymkhana to extend our lead of over Blue Team. I am looking forward to putting on a show for my grandparents and increasing The Green Team dominance of Blue.