|
|
 The Gunnery community embarked on its annual seven mile venture through Steep Rock to celebrate the birthday of school founder, Frederick W. Gunn. The school walk dates back to the 1860s, when Mr. Gunn led the entire school on annual camping expeditions to the shore in Milford, CT and back, a distance of over 40 miles. For this, Mr. Gunn is recognized as the originator of recreational camping. Although the route of the walk has changed several times over the years, the spirit remains the same. Students and faculty hike through Washington's Steep Rock Preserve, along the Shepaug River, through an old railroad tunnel, and into the Clam Shell. Thus, the school community has a chance to experience the crisp fall air and scenic beauty of the river valley in keeping with Mr. Gunn's emphasis on the teaching qualities of the natural world.
To prepare the students for this day, seven faculty members performed a staged reading of Frederick Gunn: Biography of a Conscience (in five acts) written by English Department Chair, John Alter. The play is based on the findings of 2008-2009 Gunn Scholar, Ross Anderson '09. Originally performed in the spring of '09, this play shows Gunn's evolution into an abolitionist and school founder. The play gave the student audience a sense of history and pride in Mr. Gunn, making this year's walk all the more special. Click here for School Walk photos and here for images from the faculty play.
Long before the school community trekked through Steep Rock for the school walk, the female student athletes got a head start with their pre-season run through the park. Started by Julia Alling '81 a few years ago, this was a training exercise for the girls' field hockey team's fall athletic season. A few years ago, girls' soccer and girls' crew coaches decided that their teams would also participate in the run. This gave a chance for all fall female athletes to do something together at the end of pre-season. And a new school tradition was born. "In addition to training for your team," said girls crew coach, Anna Kjellson, "you take away a life skill no matter what. You can always go for a run as a form of exercise." The 3.2 mile run takes the girls through Steep Rock from the horse ring to the suspension bridge and back.
"It is impressive to see all the female Gunnery athletes together," said Anna. "Especially this year with the increase in female enrollment."
 By Elizabeth McKenna '05
I spent my fall 2008 semester in Bath, England and truly had the time of my life, but after returning home I realized that I still craved a cultural immersion vastly different from what I am accustomed to. I had toyed with the idea of traveling to Africa for a number of years and thankfully, Skidmore's broad curriculum allowed me to go abroad once more. As a student of history and government, I found Ghana to be the ideal place to observe and study a young democracy. Ghana offered me the opportunity to personally experience the trials and tribulations, the challenges and the successes of a developing nation so keen to maintain its political stability and so eager to be recognized as an economically self-sustaining, competitive and thriving country. It didn't hurt to learn Ghanaians are considered some of the most welcoming people in the world either!
Liz has been keeping a blog of her experience.
Read her blog and post a comment!
 The SOS call came in from the volunteer coordinator Kit Damien at the Connecticut Food Bank in New Haven. In honor of Hunger Action Month, Hallock Orchards in Washington had donated their entire apple harvest to the food banks, but the banks had to provide the volunteers to pick the apples. Butler and Gibson Dorms were first out of the gate as community service volunteers.
[continued]
The Gunnery is proud to announce that sixteen of its students have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams in the May 2008 testing period.
[continued]
 Think of it as Gunnery's answer to the Harry Potter Tri-Wizard Tournament. Started in 2007, the monthly Dorm Cup Challenge lets each dormitory bond as a group throughout the academic year. "This is a chance for the kids to have some pride in where they live," said Director of Residence Life and Director of Student Activities, Kate Merritt. "They work and interact with people they normally wouldn't socialize with." Kate meets with the residential advisors at the beginning of the year to brainstorm each challenge. Hogwarts may have had the houses of Gryffindor and Slytheran, but Mr. Gunn's School has Teddy House and Bourne (and eight others).
[continued]
view larger image
(Standing) l. to r. Jamel Long, Taylor Crowell, ??, Andy Sabine, Ryan Philander, and me, Adam Crowley
(Kneeling) Ben Levenson, Jacques Broquard
Missing from the picture, but also along on that trip were: Mark Neimic, Jeremy Burton, Jesse Cotter, Bryan Rund
|
Adam Crowley '95 sent along this month's answer. Thanks!
This pic is of Mr. Adolphson's Humanities class, circa 1995. This is from one of the many trips to Lincoln Center. If memory serves, this might be when we went to see Zubin Mehta conduct the Israel Philharmonic at Avery Fischer Hall (It was either that, or when we saw the Vienna Philharmonic do Beethoven's 9th.) Before the show, we went to go see something (maybe "The Living Sea"?)at the IMAX theater in Lincoln Center. It was in 3D, hence the really awesome goggles.
|
| |
When Leigh Buckens '02 sets out to see America, he doesn't mess around, but his mode of transportation is an unlikely choice. Instead of the conventional plane, train, or automobile, he opted for something simple: the bicycle. With two of his friends, Leigh grabbed the most essential and least weighty necessities of life and set out on a journey that would cover approximately 3800 miles of land, beginning in California and ending in Georgia. When we spoke to him he was in Missouri and hoping to make Georgia by Halloween. (One of life's 21st century essentials is an I-phone.)
[continued]
|
|
For more news from
The Gunnery, log onto
our website:
Gunnery News
|
|
|
|
