LORDS, KNIGHTS AND LADIES TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

Wakefield Country Day School was alive with the sound of medieval madrigal music, laughter and cheers, as students from third through eighth grades and their families reveled at the annual Medieval Banquet on Thursday evening, March 15th.

The Leonard M. Cowherd Auditorium was filled with visions of medieval times: flowing velvet and satin gowns, veils and elaborate headdresses with gold, silver and fur adornments, knights (yes, in shining armor!), monks, bishops, and assorted peasants and shepherds filled Wakefield’s “Grand Hall” with a kaleidoscope of color and sound.

All guests bowed as eighth graders “Earl” Hans Doxzen and “Countess” Christine Pankow (titles awarded based on grades), made their grand entry, accompanied by their court. Later in the festivities, the titles of “Queen of Love and Beauty” and the “Squire of Worth” were bestowed on Jessica Coello and John Morgan Christoph for having earned top honors in seventh grade British History.

Then, the games began, with jousting, quarter staffing, lancing, tests of dexterity, and quests that challenged the most able knights and damsels. Various performers entertained and acts were presented; the eighth grade presented a skit whose elements included a king’s betrayal, charges of treason, and punishment (boiling in oil!).

Led by the Earl, the group then proceeded to the banquet table, where His Grace, the Bishop, gave his blessings, and the guests filled their trenchers with slices of “roast beast,” which had been slowly cooked on a spit all day, and other medieval fare. After the Court and guests had eaten, the investiture of the sixth grade squires and handmaidens began. Titles were awarded based on proficiency in a weapons challenge, mastery of calligraphy, or jewelry-making.

Awards were given for costumes and skill, including one for “Best Armor” – awarded to Chris Payne and also to Ryan Ochoa, who created an entire pull shirt and gauntlets from chain mail.

Both “old-timers” and new families expressed their pleasure in being able to participate in the afternoon’s entertainment – an occasion to go “back in time” and experience another period in history.

Mime Mark Jaster Returns for Encore Performance

Renowned mime Mark Jaster graced the Wakefield stage for the second year on Wednesday, March 14th, much to the delight of the students. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Van Ness family, Mr. Jaster was the special act at this week’s Wednesday Assembly. He completely engaged his audience, which included the entire WCDS student body, along with guests from Hearthstone School, the ASPECT program, and the community-at-large. Adults and children ages 3 to 18 gasped and laughed at his clever antics, and several students had opportunities to join “the Maestro” on stage, as he conducted the audience in a variety of “musical numbers.” Students in several grades later attended a special workshop with Mr. Jaster, where they learned mime techniques and asked numerous questions.

Key Club Coffee House Features Entertainment

Saturday March 10th, the WCDS Key Club sponsored a Coffee House to raise funds for several charitable projects the club has undertaken this year. A majority of the students in ninth through twelfth grade attended, and at least ten acts performed throughout the evening. Prizes went to the “Spiders from Mars,” a student band including singers, guitarists, a drummer, and a saxophonist; magicians who among other things made a young lady disappear and reappear; and a violinist who played a lively piece.

Wakefield Country Day School Students “Take On” Historical Figures

(March 3rd) Students in Wakefield Country Day School’s third grade class were recently the featured entertainment in a primary school gathering, where they presented the biographies of famous historical figures they had chosen to study. The figures they selected spanned many centuries, and their accomplishments covered a wide range of fields. WCDS, known for its strong History and English curriculum, introduces it students to the world of history at an early age.

Each student, dressed in full costume, took turns describing his or her character’s background, touching on both historic accomplishments and family background, and specifically referencing the particular biography each had read. Thomas Jefferson was played by James Christoph; Queen Elizabeth was played by Brier Clough; Paul Revere was played by Joseph Dowell; Confederate spy Belle Boyd was played by Alyssa Hamilton; Amelia Earhart was played by Taylor Jones, King Henry VIII was played by Evan Lester; Davie Crockett was played by Luke Miller; Marco Polo was played by Abe Nolan; Teddy Roosevelt was played by Chris Parios; King Arthur was played by Nikolas Patton; Rosa Parks was played by Ashlyn Ramey; and Pocahontas was played by Julia Weir.

This third grade project is a great precursor to the students’ study of the Great 100 Historical Figures, a school-wide program that begins in fourth grade and increases in detail through the middle school and prep school years.