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Robotics team wins top honor at regional competition, qualifies for world championships in Atlanta

Submitted by Karen Katz on Mon, 03/08/2010 - 12:04pm
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Catlin Gabel's Upper School robotics Team 1540 won the prestigious Chairman's Award at the Oregon regional competition for their extensive support of other teams. Check out the three-minute Chairman’s Award video created by Tucker Gordon and Henry Gordon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxPocQQC5Cs.

The Chairman's Award qualifies Team 1540 (the Flaming Chickens) to compete at the world championships in Atlanta, April 14–18. This is the fourth consecutive year Catlin Gabel’s robotics team has qualified for the world championships, the most of any team in the Northwest.

Junior Henry Gordon ’11, marketing manager, fabrication co-manager, and Middle School FIRST LEGO league coach, was one of two finalists for the Oregon regional FIRST dean’s list for student leadership and commitment to the ideals of FIRST, as well as for contributions to his team and community. Henry is in the running for one of 10 FIRST dean’s list awards granted at the World Championships.

Congratulations, Flaming Chickens!

Follow Your Passions!

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 4:52pm
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By Lark P. Palma, PhD, Head of School

From the Winter 2010 Caller

Five o’clock on a South Carolina summer morning. My rounds started early, for a young girl. First I took care of my horse, Cricket—feeding, mucking, a ride on the beach, then out to pasture. Then I attended to my 35 rabbits, gathered eggs from the six red hens that scratched around the house, and released the ducks to the creek. Finally I wrangled Thistle the collie and Ginger the lamb for walks on their leashes.

Animals were my first great passion—and my parents allowed me to have them if I cared for them well and showed responsibility. I was filled with the same passion when I first played school in my room, lining up all of my stuffed animals and dolls, assigning arbitrary grades from A to F and relegating some to smart status, some not so smart. At school I watched with rapt attention how my teachers would teach us. At home I would either try to do it the same way or try to modify the techniques that didn’t work for my little class.

It was not until I became a teacher myself that I understood that, as someone with a passion for teaching, I could go beyond what’s expected and work with students to realize their own personal goals and passions. I finally saw that the very best model for teaching and learning centers on the relationship between the student and the teacher. What happens collectively as a class is important, but the one-on-one time a student and teacher have together is the most critical element.

It was a breakthrough for me when I realized that and learned—thanks to Roland Barthes, John Dewey, and others—that children are not receptacles for knowledge from adults, but teeming petri dishes of their own ideas and imaginations. How little my teachers in the fifties and sixties understood that—although teachers in Ruth Catlin and Priscilla Gabel’s schools certainly did get it.

Catlin Gabel is a school where teachers are drawn to teach, and we select them to do so, because they understand how children’s minds work, and they want to be surrounded by colleagues who feel the same.

This Caller is filled with stories of alumni and students who have pursued interests, passions, and yes, even obsessions. Graduates who fall into this category are legion, and the students and alumni represented here are just a small sample. Why would a school of this size produce so many people who lead with their passions and know themselves well enough to do that?

For one, Catlin Gabel provides an unfettered, free-ranging approach to solving problems, approaching assignments, and celebrating process over product. I learned to be a good rider because I studied my horse, paying heed to her temperament and the look in her eye, and treating her in a way that reflects that knowledge. In the same way, the students profiled here, whether involved in a sport, an academic pursuit, or an art, learn the value of deep concentration and focused attention. For example, visual artists, like the ones you’ll read about, see relationships among all disciplines, in color and in shapes, and takes those elements to create an original. But mostly, we at Catlin Gabel encourage students fully and unabashedly to follow their passions. And of course, there is the child herself, who has the gift inside. Parents, teachers, and the overarching ethos of the school only undergird those passions.

Alumnus, alumna, or current student, their uniqueness binds us all together and makes for a very, very interesting place to teach. Enjoy these stories.

 

Mock trial team advances to state

Submitted by Karen Katz on Sun, 02/28/2010 - 8:08pm
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Both the blue and white mock trial teams had a great day at the 2010 regional trial. The Blue Team advances to state to compete against the best teams in Oregon. This year’s case, State v. Lane, is a criminal case where the defendant, a rap artist, is charged with inciting a riot and arson.

Congratulations to Catlin Blue team members Talbot Andrews, Conor Carlton, Becky Coulterpark, Eli Coon, Nina Greenebaum, Andrew Hungate, Grace McMurchie, Kate McMurchie, Megan Stater, and Leah Thompson.

Catlin White team members include Rohisha Adke, Amanda Cahn, Rachel Caron, Audrey Davis, Layla Entrikin, Brian Farci, James Furnary, Mira Hayward, Thalia Kelly, Jackson Morawski, Grant Phillips, Charlie Shoemaker, Henry Shulevitz, Curtis Stahl, Lynne Stracovsky, Terrance Sun, Karuna Tirumala, and Michael Zhu.
 

Students lead CG response to Haiti earthquake, community raises $28,000

Submitted by Karen Katz on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 3:31pm
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The world looked on in horror when the January 12 earthquake rocked Haiti. Immediately, Catlin Gabel students of all ages got to work organizing fundraisers to help the devastated island. Alumna Caitlin Carlson ’00, communications officer for Mercy Corps, came to campus to talk to about the essential need for cash in the coming months. We set up a web page aimed at inspiring students and consolidating our community efforts. Student-led bake sales and the Lower School read-a-thon raised $28,000 for Haitian earthquake relief. Our contributions will make a difference in Haiti: $16 provides a child’s "comfort kit” that includes a blanket, sketchpad, crayons and toys, $43 buys 110 pounds of rice, and $75 equips a Port-au-Prince resident for two weeks of recovery work.

Kevin Ellis and Yale Fan describe their award-winning projects

Submitted by Site Administrator on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 10:35am
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Recorded at the upper school assembly of February 18, 2010.

In the news: Larry Hurst and his lecture on green alternatives to burial

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 9:27am
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Beaverton Valley Times article, January 2010

Larry Hurst will deliver the Esther Dayman Strong Lecture on this topic on Tuesday, Febraury 16, at 7 p.m. in the Cabell Center. Free and open to the public.

CGS team wins 2nd place in regional Science Bowl

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 9:13am
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On Saturday Catlin Gabel’s Science Bowl team won 2nd place in the BPA Regional Science Bowl. Our team of Yale Fan (captain, senior), Brynmor Chapman (senior), Benjamin Streb (senior), Vighnesh Shiv (junior), and Terrance Sun (freshman) lost a closely fought final to the winner, Sunset High School, which will go on to the National Science Bowl. The Catlin Gabel team beat out 59 other teams from all over Oregon and Washington and pushed Sunset to three games before conceding. In addition, Yale Fan was one of seven students (out of more than 250) to be honored as an "All Star" for answering the most questions during the first four rounds of the contest. Congratulations to the team from Sunset, and congratulations to all our team members for excellent game play and grace under pressure!

Students raise more than $12,000 for Haiti relief

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 5:58pm
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Lower School readathon the latest success

On Friday, February 5, 200 Catlin Gabel Lower School students plus staff, faculty, and parents participated in a readathon for Haiti relief. They all read books in the Lower School library, and up and down the halls, from 2:15 to 3 p.m., unified in a student-led community effort to show we are trying to make a difference. Students collected pledges for reading a certain number of minutes or a certain number of pages, and the resulting pledges were added to the funds that Catlin Gabel students and community members have already raised for Haiti relief. As of February 8, more than $11,000 had been donated to Mercy Corps from student-led efforts all over the school, and that figure will continue to grow.

Thoughts from 8th graders: upcoming performance, Ptld. Center Stage

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Wed, 02/03/2010 - 10:49am
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Third Angle blog, February '10

A group of 8th graders, led by drama teacher Deirdre Atkinson, will be performing their interpretation of Mark Applebaum's graphic score, "Metaphysics of Notation," at Portland Center Stage at noon on Friday, February 5. All are invited! Deirdre collected her and her students' thoughts about the month-long process on the blog of Third Angle, a partner in the production. This was an amazing invitation for our students, and a rare chance to work with professional arts organizations on a deeply creative project.

Yale Fan & Kevin Ellis named Intel Science Talent Search finalists

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Wed, 01/27/2010 - 10:55am
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Seniors Kevin Ellis and Yale Fan were just surprised with the news that they are finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search, out of 40 nationwide! It's only the second time that two students from the same Oregon school were named finalists. This morning they each received a check for $7,500 towards college tuition, and they will go on to Washington, DC, in March to compete for the top honors. More information is below. Congratulations, Yale and Kevin!

 

(photo courtesy of the Oregonian)

--------------------------------------

2200 Mission College Blvd.
P.O. Box 58119
Santa Clara, CA 95052-8119
  
CONTACT:     Bill MacKenzie
                        Communications Manager
                        U.S. Corporate Affairs
                        Intel Corporation
                        503-264-1330
                        Bill.mackenzie@intel.com
 
 
 
                   Oregon and Washington Students Named Intel Science Talent Finalists
 
 
The Catlin Gabel students will be surprised with announcement Wednesday, Jan. 27
 
 
WHAT: Surprise announcement of Intel Science Talent Search Finalists
 
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, 8:45 AM.
 
WHERE: The Dant House, Catlin Gabel School, 8825 S.W. Barnes Rd., Portland, OR 97225 (ph): 503-297-1894 ext. 301
 
Background
 
HILLSBORO, OR, Jan. 26, 2010 – Vancouver, WA resident, Kevin Michael Ellis, and Beaverton resident, Yale Wang Fan, both students at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, will learn Wednesday that they have been named finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS) and are on the road to becoming tomorrow’s elite scientists. As finalists, they will each be awarded scholarship checks for $7,500 and be in the running for larger scholarships They each were previously awarded a check for $1,000 when they were named semifinalists.
The Intel STS 2010, a program of Society for Science & the Public (SSP), is America’s oldest, most highly regarded pre-college science competition and heir to more than six decades of science excellence. SSP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, has owned and administered the Science Talent Search since its inception in 1942. This year marks Intel’s twelfth year sponsoring the program.
            Ellis and Fan will be Catlin Gabel’s first Intel STS finalists and this will be only the second time an Oregon school has had two Intel STS finalists . “Kevin and Yale are both so talented and so humble, and we're delighted by their success,” said Michael Heath, Catlin Gabel’s high school principal. “We are proud of them and of Catlin Gabel's amazing science, computer science, and math teachers, who encouraged these two students to excel.”
            The Catlin Gabel students are two of 40 high school seniors from across the country who will be celebrating their selection as finalists. Finalists will gather in Washington, D.C., on March 11-16, to compete for $630,000 in awards. The top winner will receive $100,000 from the Intel Foundation.
Their week-long stay in D.C. will include an in-depth judging process, visits to historic sites and cultural institutions and meetings with leading scientists and engineers. Students will also have an opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with each other and prominent members of the scientific community.
The finale of the Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C. will be a black-tie banquet honoring the 40 finalists, which will take place March 16. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the top 10 Intel scholarship winners of the Intel Science Talent Search, with the top winner receiving a $100,000 scholarship and the others scholarships of varying amounts.
            "At Intel we believe that a healthy future fueled by innovation requires investing in math and science education now," said Shelly Esque, vice president of Intel’s Corporate Affairs Group. "This year’s finalists are truly inspiring and they reaffirm our belief that programs like the Intel Science Talent Search foster a passion for math and science in today’s youth that is imperative to America’s future success as a leader in innovation."
            Ellis’ winning research project is titled, "Automatic parallelization through dynamic analysis.” Ellis explained that his research is into automatic methods of converting a computer program not designed to use more than one processor into an equivalent program that exploits multiple processors. In doing so, the program can distribute its work and run faster. His method analyzes the program as it executes to reveal parts of the program which can be distributed, while also showing when distribution programs across multiple processors would increase performance.
Fan’s winning research project is titled, "Adiabatic quantum algorithms for boolean satisfiability.” Fan explained that quantum computers are computers that rely on principles of quantum mechanics to accomplish certain tasks exponentially more efficiently than classical computers. He exhibited new numerical and theoretical results on the power of quantum computers for certain classes of NP-complete problems, which are the hardest computational problems whose solutions are easy to verify. This work implies that quantum computers could outperform classical computers for a class of hard problems and gives new insight into the capabilities of exciting prospective technology based on theoretical physics.
 “Intel is incredibly proud of these two highly accomplished students,” said Aubrey Clark, Intel’s Education Relations Manager in Oregon. “Their achievement is likely a predictor that they will one day be among America’s great scientists.”
STS alumni have received more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors including six Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, and two Fields Medals.
            Intel’s long-standing commitment to education is fueled by its mission to invest not only in its business and industry, but in the future of young people. Through education programs such as the Intel Science Talent Search, Intel works to inspire and educate children in communities around the world in the areas of science, mathematics and engineering.
      Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. Intel is Oregon’s largest private employer and its Oregon site is a global center for semiconductor research and manufacturing. Additional information about Intel in Oregon is available at www.intel.com/community/oregon.
                                                                        -- 30 --             
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
 
 
 
 

 

What's Next? workshop advances community-building ideas

Submitted by Karen Katz on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 8:47am
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What happened at the What's Next workshop?

The Catlin Gabel community—students, teachers, staffers, parents, alumni, trustees, and friends—began working together to figure out “What’s Next?” at a meeting on January 23. (Join the conversation on our website forum.)

The group of more than 100 met in the Barn for most of the day to figure out what was important to them and to the school and wider communities through self-reflection and a series of various group discussions led by past trustee and parent Mindy Clark. In addition, the event was streamed live on the website, and those off campus were able to participate online. Every idea and contribution was given respectful consideration at all times as the group worked towards final consensus at the end of the meeting. From smaller to larger groups, and then to the group as a whole, participants brainstormed ideas for what’s next, given a set of basic parameters. The final products were a list of events or activities that all agreed on, a list of what was agreed to be common ground, and a list of ideas that not every one agreed to, but that were important to some. No idea was thrown away, however—all ideas were captured and will be kept for future consideration.

Common ground—values that all thought should undergird what’s next—included attributes of multiple generations, physical activity, a learning component, a local connection to the community, a service component, financial sustainability, ability of students to run or organize the activity, and a way for the school community to bond or connect.

Projects, activities, or events that drew consensus were something to do with gardens, farms, or growing food (what one called a “Honey Hollow Farm resurrection”); a “Barn Raising” as a metaphor for building and working together on a specific project on or off campus; one specific event; a Catlin Gabel service corps; and an annual Campus Day connected to a worldwide day of service so that those who don’t live nearby can take part.

Members of the What’s Next steering committee will consider all the input and come back to the entire Catlin Gabel community with proposals for consideration. Whether it be one event, or many, or what shape it will take, remains to be seen. But what’s definite is that the community will decide, and try it out, and see what works. A new tradition may be born, or it may take time, but we will do it together.

Steering Committee

Susan Koe, co-chair, parent
Don Vollum '84, co-chair, parent, trustee, alumnus

Stephanie Broad, parent
Li-Ling Cheng, faculty MS, parent
Roberta Cohen, former faculty-staff, parent of alumni
Annette Cragg, parent
Spencer Ehrman '68, alumnus
Qiddist Hammerly, student
Herb Jahncke, faculty LS, parent
Karen “Kitty” Katz '74, staff, alumna, parent
Debbie Ehrman Kaye '73, alumna, parent of alumni
Ted Kaye '73, alumnus, parent of alumni
Art Leo, faculty US, parent
John Mayer, faculty LS
Heather Renjen, parent
Robin Schauffler '68, alumna, former faculty member
Colleen Shoemaker, parent
Tom Tucker '66, faculty MS & US, alumnus, parent
Peg Watson, former faculty, parent of alumni
Patrick Wheary, parent of alumna, current grandparent

Two seniors named Intel Science Talent Search semifinalists

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Wed, 01/13/2010 - 12:56pm
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Seniors Kevin Ellis and Yale Fan were surprised today with the announcement that they had been named semifinalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search. They each received a $1,000 check this morning from a representative of Intel, and the school received $2,000 toward our programs in science and mathematics. They were two of five Oregon students receiving the award, out of 300 semifinalists named nationally. Kevin and Yale are now in the running to become national finalists, which will be determined later this month. More details are below in the Intel news release. Congratulations, Yale and Kevin!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTACT:
Bill MacKenzie
Communications Manager
U.S. Corporate Affairs
 Intel Corporation
503-264-1330
 Bill.mackenzie@intel.com

FIVE PORTLAND AREA STUDENTS NAMED INTEL SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH SEMIFINALISTS

Students to be surprised with announcements Wednesday, Jan. 13

HILLSBORO, OR, Jan. 12, 2010 – Five Portland area students will learn today that they have been named semifinalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS) and may be on the road to becoming tomorrow’s elite scientists. The Intel STS is America’s oldest, most highly regarded pre-college science competition and heir to more than six decades of science excellence.

The students will learn of their awards at surprise Intel-sponsored Prize Patrols at their schools on Wednesday morning.

The local semifinalists include Catlin Gabel students Kevin Ellis and Yale Fan, Alexander McCarthy from Liberty High School in Hillsboro, plus Joshua Steinberg from Oregon Episcopal School and Franklin Zhao from Westview High School.

This year’s 1,735 entrants hail from 37 states and Washington, D.C. Each of the 300 Intel STS semifinalists receives $1,000 with an additional $1,000 going to their school, resulting in $600,000 in total awards at the semifinalist level. Intel implemented the school award in 2000 and since then has contributed more than $2 million to help improve math and science in U.S. high schools.

“Intel is determined to encourage and showcase America’s brightest young scientists,” said Aubrey Clark, Intel’s Education Relations Manager in Oregon. “Becoming an Intel STS semifinalist shows the world that a student has the potential to become one of tomorrow’s great scientists.”

STS alumni have received more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors including six Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, and two Fields Medals.

From the 300 semifinalists, 40 finalists will be announced on Jan. 27, 2010. The 40 Intel Science Talent Search Finalists will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC in March to attend the Science Talent Institute where they will compete for more than $500,000 in scholarships.

Their week-long stay will include an in-depth judging process, visits to historic sites and cultural institutions and meetings with leading scientists and engineers. Students will also have an opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with each other and prominent members of the scientific community.

The finale of the Science Talent Institute is a black-tie banquet honoring the forty finalists, which will take place March 16, 2010. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the top 10 Intel scholarship winners of the 66th Annual Science Talent Search, with the top winner receiving a $100,000 scholarship and others receiving a minimum of $7,500.

Intel’s long-standing commitment to education is fueled by its mission to invest not only in its business and industry, but in the future of young people. Through education programs such as the Intel Science Talent Search, Intel works to inspire and educate children in communities around the world in the areas of science, mathematics and engineering.

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom . Intel is Oregon’s largest private employer and its Oregon site is a global center for semiconductor research and manufacturing. Additional information about Intel in Oregon is available at www.intel.com/community/oregon.

                                                                         -- 30 --             

Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.  * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Joey Lubitz wins top regional art award

Submitted by Nadine Fiedler on Wed, 01/13/2010 - 11:44am
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On January 14 senior Joey Lubitz will be awarded the Gold Key in art, the highest regional award given annually in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program, sponsored by New York’s Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. As a result of Joey’s Gold Key standing, his artwork will be forwarded to New York City for national judging. Nearly 30,000 high school students from across the country win regional awards, and 1,000 of those go on to earn national awards in the competition.
 
Joey’s artworks, from the portfolio he entered in the competition, will be on exhibition at the award ceremony, to be held at 6 p.m. at the Pacific NW College of Art (1241 NW Johnson St., Portland) on Thursday, January 14. One of his paintings will be purchased for the permanent collection of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.
 
Senior Rahee Nerurkar received a regional Honorable Mention award for her photography portfolio.
 
Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing program is the oldest, longest-running, and most prestigious recognition program for student achievement in the visual arts and creative writing in the United States. The 12 top national winners each receive a $10,000 cash award to help pay for college, plus special recognition on the stage of Carnegie Hall in New York. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization, identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through the awards program.
 
Congratulations, Joey and Rahee!
 

 

January Congrats!

Submitted by Karen Katz on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 3:56pm
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Congrats!

Senior Kevin Ellis won a Best of Category award in computer science at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2009 in Reno, Nevada. Intel presented Catlin Gabel with a check for $1,000 in recognition of Kevin’s outstanding achievement. The funds are intended to further support excellence in science, math, or engineering education at Catlin Gabel.

Senior Lauren Edelson’s op-ed, “Taking the Magic Out of College,” was published in the New York Times.

Sophomore Megan Stater placed first in the recent Oregon Music Teachers Association Classical Piano Festival.

Lauren Reggero-Toledano’s Spanish V Honors students presented their research project, "The Hispanic Presence In Oregon: From the Great Depression to Today," to the Latin American studies program at Lewis & Clark College. Kudos to seniors Sam Bishop, Kalifa Clarke, Abby Conyers, Becky Coulterpark, Lauren Edelson, Eddie Friedman, Ollie Garnier, Molly Hayes, Leslie Nelson, and Leah Weitz, and junior Josh Langfus.

Seventh grader Conner Hansen received his second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

All five Middle School robotics teams came home from the league tournament with trophies. Three teams are advancing to the state championships on January 17. Veteran 7th grade team the Green Dragons won the Champions Award, the top award at a local tournament. This award recognizes the team with the best overall score covering robot performance, robot design, research project and presentation, and teamwork. Green Dragons Maddy Bunnenberg-Ross, Claire Fitzgerald, Sophie Paek, Jillian Rix, and Chloe Smith are headed to state.

The other veteran 7th grade team, Team Delta, scored 305 points on the course (the highest of any Catlin Gabel team) and was the first runner up Champions Award winner. Max Armstrong, Evan Chapman, Conner Hansen, and Elliot Lewis are on their way to state as well.

First-time 6th grade Team Echo members Julian Baynes, MacGregor Beatty, and Jake Hansen pulled off the Young Team Award, which qualifies them for the state tournament.

The 6th grade Screaming Eagles with Harry Alterman, Anna Dodson, Alex Richardson, and Calissa Spooner won the robot performance award for the team with the highest scoring robot that didn’t qualify for state. The 6th grade team Catlin Gabel Champions with Nicolas Bergen, Jack Bishop, Justin Tung, and David Vollum brought home the Research Project award for the team with the best research project that didn’t qualify for state.

Congratulations to recent 6th grade Poetry Box winner Hayle Meyerhoff for her poem Lonely. (Click on poem title to read or listen to the winning poem.)

Twelve Lower School chess players participated in the annual Ridgewood Elementary fall invitational. Avi Gupta, 3rd grade, took second place in the overall tournament ratings. Grade level prizes were awarded to 5th grader Lila Reich–second place, 4th grader Ben Karp–second place, 3rd grader Avi Gupta–first place, 2nd grader Evan Karp–first place, and 2nd grader Jimmy Maslen–third place.

Fifth grader Claire Rosenfeld, 3rd grader Layton Rosenfeld, and 2nd grader Will Attig were among 50 winning contestants from all of Oregon whose art pieces were selected for the “Super Hero” exhibition in the Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum in Eugene. There were well over 400 contestants. The winning art is on display at the JSAM through May.

Thanks to a generous anonymous gift from a Catlin Gabel community member, the entire 7th grade class attended a presentation by activist Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. The class began the year by reading the young adult version of Mortenson’s book. Elayna Caron was inspired to write, “After reading Three Cups of Tea, I was really moved, but not as much as I was last night. Greg is one of the most amazing people out there. How he dedicated his whole life to changing these people’s lives — I don’t see how he can do it, but at the same time, it made ME want to go out and change the world. He was talking about the soldiers being more afraid of the children’s pens than of bullets. It really makes sense to me now, why they would be scared. This was an amazing, amazing experience.”

IT support technician Johny Nguyen completed CompTIA certification, the industry standard for computer support technicians. The international, vendor-neutral certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security, and troubleshooting.

All Kinds of Minds named Catlin Gabel a School of Distinction.