Breaking Records en Route to Making them

This year GA sent a record number of students to the Pennsylvania Music Educators' Association (PMEA) District 11 Band. Michael Hanamirian, Peter Hillinck, Tim Reuter, Eli Scheleicher, and myself, all seniors, spent three days at the end of January perfecting professional level music in a group of 70 high school students selected from high schools from Montgomery and Bucks County.

Our conductor, Dr. Jason Worzbyt, was so surprised at this year's band's preparation that he complimented us every single time he spoke to us as a group (which was too many times to count). The three day event culminated in a performance that had everyone on their feet by the end of the last song.
 

The five of us all met a wide range of unique and talented musicians, all were excited about music and love spreading it. We were also proud to represent our school, as GA was one of the few schools to send at least five students to District Band. This is a great testament to the music program at GA, led by Mr. Mauro, the Wind Ensemble director, Mr. Horner, the orchestra director, and Mr. Masters, the new performing arts head.

The five of us are sad to have performed at our last District Band, but are happy to leave GA on a positive note.

Not pictured: Michael Hanamirian

 -- Brett C.

Fall Concert 2012

On the night of Tuesday November 20, students’ parents and relatives, teachers, and alumni filled the Arts Center to listen to Upper School students showcase the culmination of several months’ hard work.  The audience was impressed by the quality of the performances, which ranged from the Symphonic Band’s “Marriage of Figaro” to the String Orchestra’s “Bolero”, even to the choir’s (aka Singing Patriots) “Dynamite” (yes, the “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz).  In total, 90 students in 5 separate performance groups walked onto the stage that night and put their all into pieces that they have been so hard at work on.  But for the seniors that took part, it was a bittersweet beginning to the end of their GA musical careers.

- Brett C.

 

Brett and Angela weigh in on GA/PC Day Spirit Week!

BRETT



Mention GA/PC day to anyone at the Academy and excitement will light up their face.  Let me explain why that is so...Instead of the usual preppy GA gear, students will strut their stuff through the hallways from November 5th to November 9th for the GA/PC spirit week, the buildup to GA/PC day.  Instead of khakis and sweaters, boys dress as Superman and rock stars.  Instead of skirts and polos, girls are clad in patriotic and jungle-esque attire.

The Upper School halls are covered from top to bottom in various themes that, in the past, have ranged from Batman to Willy Wonka to Jersey Shore to Space. The whole school (yes, everyone!) walks through the hallways, admiring the ingenuity and handiwork of Upper School students, who pour hours and hours into making the hallways simply spectacular.

All these festivities culminate in a school wide pep rally and pump up day that lasts well into the evening.  The rivalry between GA and our rival, the William Penn Charter School (PC for short), is not overblown.  As the longest lived high school rivalry in America, it draws people from across the nation and two large schools together for one huge showcase of school spirit and athletic prowess

On a side note, GA has won GA/PC day three out of the past four years... :)

ANGELA

It’s spirit week at Germantown Academy and every student is really showing how much spirit he/she has! In preparation for the annual GA/PC day this Saturday, each day upper school students dress up in the theme of the day. This year’s themes include Super Hero/Super Villain, Jungle/Halloween Day, Patriotic Day, and Rock Star Day. On Friday, grades 9-11 have their own color to wear and seniors all wear a shirt designed by the seniors. Middle School students also have special themed days too! The week concludes with a school wide Pep Rally on Friday. Everybody sits by grade and there is music, dance routines performed, announcements by Fall sports team captain’s and way more! It’s tons of fun for faculty and students of all ages!

“We Can Do It”: Girl’s Water Polo dresses as Rosie the Riveter for Halloween Day

GAWC: We Hear What You Are Saying

As shy freshman walks into the room.

“Welcome to the Writing Center,” I said with a smile. “Are you here for a conference?”

“Yes,” he replied, blushing.

“Alright buddy,” I swiveled in my chair, gesturing towards one of the two tables in the back of the room. “Take a seat and I’ll be with you in a sec.”

This is the real-life exchange between me, a Writing Center advisor, and a recent “client”. Actually, any student who walks into the Writing Center is met with a smile and a warm greeting, guaranteed.

The GA Writing Center is truly one of a kind. Few high schools in the nation have a completely student-staffed Writing Center where students, aka clients, can sign up to meet with specially trained “Writing Center Advisors” who help their respective clients brainstorm, improve their writing, and proofread papers. Writing Center Advisors are available not just for English-related work, but also History and now Science!

At the end of the day, the GA Writing Center (or GAWC) is another way GA strives to help its students excel in a very unique way.

-Brett