Wakefield Country Day
School Assembly Rated
“Out of This World”

Those who attended the WCDS February 6th assembly enjoyed a presentation that was “out of this world,” when the pre-kindergarteners presented their famous Planet Play. The children first sang “The Sun Has Spots,” written last year by the first grade with performer, writer and recording artist Paul Reisler. Then the children onstage informed the audience about the planets of the solar system, with the whole group singing a verse between each individual child’s recitation.

WCDS Wednesday Assembly – Focus on Science

At the Wakefield assembly of January 30, 2008, the program focused on science. Selected students presented their class or individual science projects, including their hypotheses, controls and variables, results, and conclusions. Rachel Cieplak described her grade one class project: determining which potato chips were the greasiest. Megan Burgess and Catherine Deane shared their grade two class project on which colors absorbed the most sunlight, while Connor Poe and Alex Smith shared their grade two class project on which toothpaste produces the brightest teeth. In grade three, students work on projects in pairs. Lucas DuMez and Harrison Wells discussed the effect of the color of dye on the speed of dissolving, and Megan Kelley and Monica Marciano analyzed the rate of dissolving among different sugars. In fourth through sixth grade, students completed individual projects. The following students shared their work: Evan Lester on the effect of music on the heart rate, Nikolas Patton on the growth of stalactites and stalagmites, Joseph Dowell on solutions and their effect on water freezing, Torri Sanders on comparative bubble baths, Amy Chadduck on the amount of salt in cookie recipes, Shivam Mehta on comparing diapers’ absorbency, and Grace Alexander on the effect of soft drinks on teeth. Listeners applauded each description. The science fair judges recognized six students from grades four, five, and six for their exemplary science projects: James Allen Christoph for Wings—Which Flies Farthest?, Julia Weir for Drop it like it’s Hot!, Lily Lauben for Mastering Memory, Ixel Ochoa for How to Diet a Candle, Shivam Mehta for Hefty Diaper, and Thomas Pearson for Moldy Old Cheese.

College acceptances are beginning to come in and, thus far, WCDS’ nine seniors have been offered $458,000 in merit scholarships.

• Marguerite Beattie: Glasgow University, Reading University, Elon University ($18,000 merit scholarship)
• Emma Clark Franklin Pierce University ($50,000 merit scholarship), Randolph Macon College ($30,000 merit scholarship) and Queens University ($36,000 merit scholarship)
• Taylor Hammelman: Randolph Macon College ($62,000 merit scholarship)
• Joy Heddleston: Liberty University, Messiah College ($32,000 merit scholarship), James Madison University (Early Action)
• Katherine Russo: Tulane University ($80,000 merit scholarship), Randolph Macon College ($50,000 merit scholarship)
• Derek Perry: Virginia Tech (Early Decision)
• Alex Shafran: Randolph Macon College ($50,000 merit scholarship)
• Matthew Wingfiield: Randolph College ($50,000 merit scholarship)

Two Wakefield Dance Students Make Second-Team

Last Saturday, the Delaney Athletic Conference (DAC) held its Dance competition at Fredericksburg Academy, and Wakefield students Joy Heddleston and Cynthia Rodriguez were named to the all-DAC Second Team for Dance after their performances. Congratulations, ladies!