Reflecting on the Ride

I never considered myself the sentimental type but I must admit that it‘s hard not to be as a senior.  Everything that happens this year, is happening for the last time.  This past Saturday was my last time participating in the GA Jazz Cabaret. While it is always a struggle for me to get to practice at 7:30 am, twice a week, year round, I can not help but reflect on my growth as a musician over the years and how those early morning practices improved my musicianship. As I listened to many of my friends belt their improv solos, I will always look back with fondness on the many friendships I made through the Jazz Ensemble. It has been a great ride Mr. Horner! Congratulations LS, MS, and US Jazz Ensembles and Patriot Select on performances well done!  

- Michael H.

A Time to Remember Holiday Traditions

The month of December is not only the start of the holiday season but also a reminder to the GA community that the greatest gift of all is the gift of giving.  With the holidays approaching, the seniors will savor and enjoy the last of the numerous holiday CSO traditions at GA.  The candy cane sale that benefits CHOP begins this week.  I myself purchased 20 candy canes!  The CSO holiday fair where thousands of toys are piled up in the big gym and then distributed to less fortunate children is also approaching soon.  Finally, the Make a Wish Tournament, featuring our very own boys and girls basketball teams, tips off on Friday the 14^th.  Happy Holidays to all!    

- Michael H.  

Goodbye November, Thanks for the Memories

November is a busy time for students in the Upper School.  It’s also a very nostalgic time, especially for seniors.  Our pep rally was the best of all time and numerous seniors contributed to its success.  For many, myself included, GA/PC Day was the last time seniors competed in fall sports with their teammates.  Nine to Five was incredible last week, and again, the seniors were powerful as they performed their last Upper School musical on stage.  Tonight is the US Fall Concert and seniors take solace in knowing that there remains one more concert in the spring. CSO (Community Service Organization), especially its senior leaders, never lets us forget those who are less fortunate - the clothing drive and Thanksgiving Day canned food drive are my favorite.  Quick shout-out to Bridie L. ('13) for bringing in an unprecedented amount of cans…210! 

During this week of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for so much.  My family is the obvious!  I am also incredibly grateful for my education at GA.  The tremendous experiences and incredible opportunities provided by GA’s outstanding faculty are the reasons why no one forgets their time at this school.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

-Michael H. 

GA's Oktoberfest!

GA offers a variety of languages in the Upper School. Some students take French; others master Spanish. Even Chinese is offered. I'm a Classics student, having taken Latin since 6th grade. While GA offers German, it is during this beautiful time of year that the entire Upper School embraces German culture and customs at GA's own Oktoberfest. This Upper School tradition is only four years old but, if you ask its students, no one can imagine GA without this celebration.

GA's Oktoberfest begins with a German folksong competition. Do not let any students of the seven Houses kid you - we all practice and take this competition very seriously. Members of Galloway proved again this year that they were the most deserving of the folksong competition title. Mr. Masters, GA's new head of the music department, was a true master in performance as members of his Galloway House perfectly complemented him in German spirit and song.

Everyone is a winner at the end of the competition as all students feast on German sausages grilled outside the Pavilion while they gulp down root beer and polish off what seems to be endless bowls of German gummies and pretzel sticks during break.

Thank you Upper School Head and German teacher Mr. Schellhas for bringing this tradition to GA!


- Michael H.

Reflections on Traditions: Past, Present, and Future

To a lot of students across the country, senior year is all about the college process. No one escapes the tedious task of completing the Common App and numerous supplemental essays. Despite this daunting process, everybody looks forward to their senior year at Germantown Academy. Ever since Kindergarten, I’ve enjoyed watching the many senior traditions, ranging from leading the GA-PC Day pep rally to carrying out a crafty senior prank. Last Friday, the seniors ran a successful Crayola themed back-to-school dance (pictured above). Everyone came to the dance dressed up in a color that mimicked a Crayola crayon! With all of the senior traditions on the horizon, it’s our turn to write the next chapter in GA history and leave our mark on the school. Here’s to a great 2012-13 school year!

- Michael H.

Taking Science by Storm

There are over 70 students in Upper School that take GA’s Independent Science Research course.  I am one of them.  Some of us work in labs like Fox Chase and others develop their projects at home or at school.  My project involved wrapping glaciers (really ice blocks) in reflective blankets to reduce their melt.  My lab was my garage.   Two weeks ago, many of us attended the Delaware Valley Science Fair where we competed against hundreds of students representing over 25 schools.  It’s amazing to get to this level of competition because everyone’s projects are worthy of recognition.  Three to four judges stop by each project to then determine which experiments qualify for category awards, special awards, and even scholarships.

GA brought down the house!  Not only did we rack up on the category, special awards, and scholarship monies, but GA now boasts three of its own experimenters will move on to the International Fair.  This is unbelievable and a first for GA to have several attend this fair at one time.  I would be remiss if I did not thank our fearless coordinators and teachers – Dr. J. and Ms. Smith – for our unprecedented success.      

-Michael