Cincinnati Country Day School
March 2022 Alumni Journal
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Girls Basketball Makes School History |
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For the first time in school history, the girls basketball team advanced to the Final Four in the OHSAA playoff tournament. Upsetting the #1 and #3 ranked teams along the way, the Nighthawks played New Knoxville in the semi-finals on Friday, March 11, at the University of Dayton Arena. Though they ultimately fell 39-28 in a hard fought game, the girls can be rightly proud of their tremendous achievement. |
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In celebration of the girls' historic run, an optional field trip was offered to attend the game, with over 350 upper and middle school students, faculty, and staff taking the opportunity to support their Nighthawks. Lower school students and others who remained on campus supported from afar, with big screens live-streaming the game in classrooms and common spaces. |
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Also watching from the crowd, Andre Barkley '95, David Zimmerman '92, and James Zimmerman '92, members of the 1991-92 boys basketball team, the only basketball team to have reached the state final four until this year. For James, the semi-final game on Friday was particularly poignant, as he watched daughters, Sarah '22, Elizabeth '24, and Megan '24 compete on the floor. |
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"I get to play with my sisters," commented Sarah Zimmerman. "It's honestly been my favorite team I've ever got to play on. Just to be here with them is incredible. For me, it's not always about winning; it's about the experience. I feel like maybe on a different day, it's a different result."
The team ended the season 21-6 and next year, starters Gracie Barnes, Elizabeth and Megan Zimmerman, and key substitute Samantha Easter will all return.
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Fifth Annual Upper School Diversity Conference |
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On Friday, March 11, upper school students participated in the fifth annual Diversity Day. All regular classes were paused, so that students could attend seminars led by other students and guest speakers focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion. |
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"This is essential work for the school." said Angela Joiner, Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social-Emotional Learning. "Every day, we encourage our students to live out the Country Day character virtues, and this is one of the ways that we show them how to turn that thought into action."
This year, some of the student-led topics included black womanhood, gentrification, leadership in diverse communities, mental health, and immigration. Guest speakers, Kelly Hayden and Tommie Lewis, presented to all students on Diversity and Identity. Kelly Hayden is known for her successful coaching, speaking, and training business, Equity Builders, and Tommie Lewis is a performance coach and speaker for Make it Plain Consulting. Providing further important learning opportunities, the Holocaust & Humanity Center held grade-level presentations on “How to be an Upstander”, focused on training individuals to stand up for others and their rights and combatting injustice using character strengths.
"We hold the Diversity Conference every year to see and understand the experiences of those sitting beside us in school every day," said Joiner. "This conference gives the students a chance to tell their stories and teach other students about things they grew up knowing as part of their personal or family’s history but that others probably don’t know about because it’s a narrative or perspective that doesn’t always show up in our history books.”
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Candidates Advance to National Merit Final |
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In the fall, seniors Christian Fitzpatrick, Pooja Kantemneni, Victor Nica, Alistair Norwood, and Margaret Sprigg-Dudley were named National Merit Semifinalists. Now, all five are in the finalist round and have a chance to be selected as scholarship winners. |
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"For these five students, their recognition this fall as semifinalists and their new accomplishments as National Merit finalists - and the opportunity for scholarship money - is only one of many accolades in their successful academic journeys," said Head of Upper School Jenn Weinheimer.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation will now work to narrow down 7,500 finalists to a more select group that will be awarded the National Merit Scholarship money.
"These students are all members of Cum Laude and have taken some of the most challenging course loads offered at Country Day," said Weinheimer. "In addition, they have participated in various extracurricular programs and have served the school as leaders in the classroom and through clubs, competitions, and athletics. We are proud to call them members of the Country Day community, and we know they will continue to find success in college and beyond."
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Country Day Hosts Naturalization Ceremony |
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"Here today there is only happiness." U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott.
As part of the third grade's project on immigration, Country Day hosted a Naturalization Ceremony, Thursday, March 17, in the Carey Family Amphitheater. Fifty applicants from all over the world participated in the ceremony, watched by their guests, students, faculty, and staff.
As part of their learning, students participated in planning the ceremony, and enjoyed presentations from parents sharing their own immigration stories.
The Naturalization Ceremony was just one of many incredible events and activities on campus through CCDX Week, a program which returned this year after a pandemic-related hiatus in 2021. More details next month!
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U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott congratulates America's newest citizens. |
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Alum Neil Fleischer '93, a practicing immigration attorney, presented to students on the path to citizenship. Pictured here with upper school history teacher, Merle Black. |
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Alumni Awards - Nominations are Open! |
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Country Day alumni are some of the most accomplished citizens in the world. Each year, we recognize a small group for their accomplishments at Country Day and in the greater community.
Distinguished Alumni
The CCDS Alumni Council elects one or more Distinguished Alumni to be honored in recognition of their contribution to the School, their contribution to the community, or their professional achievement.
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Virtue in Action Award
The Virtue in Action Award recognizes members of the Virtue in Action Society (those alumni that are celebrating their fiftieth reunion year or more) for their dedication, attitude, and motivation expressed through volunteer service to the community. These alumni exemplify our motto, Virtue in Action.
Athletic Hall of Fame
The Athletic Hall of Fame honors former CCDS athletes, coaches, and members of our community who have contributed to the strong tradition of CCDS athletics.
Arts Hall of Fame
This award recognizes former Country Day students and community members for their contributions in the fine, musical, performing, and literary arts in the CCDS Arts Hall of Fame.
For additional details, a list of prior honorees, or to nominate an alum, teacher, or coach for any of these awards, please click on the link below.
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We have several exciting events coming up in the next few months. We are also looking forward to resuming out-of-town gatherings this year, starting in Denver in April. Mark your calendars and please join us!
Please contact Paula Brock, Director of Donor Relations & Legacy Giving, with questions.
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Saturday, April 2, 5:00 p.m.
CRU Food & Wine Bar
1442 Larimer Square
Denver, CO 80202
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Tuesday, April 19, 7:30 a.m.
Dining Terrace, CCDS
An opportunity for alumni who are also current parents at the school to connect over breakfast with fellow alumni parents and their children. Please RSVP to brockp@countryday.net or 513-979-0282
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Saturday, May 14, 12:00 noon
Dining Terrace, CCDS
Rescheduled date for the induction of two classes in the Athletic Hall of Fame. The evening will include drinks and dinner for the honorees and their guests.
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Friday, June 3, 5:00 p.m.
An opportunity for Country Day's former trustees to mix and mingle. Invitation to follow.
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Homecoming & Reunion Weekend |
Friday - Sunday, September 23 - 25
Various locations on campus
An overview of the main weekend activities is shown below.
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Middle School celebrated Pi Day on 3/14. Congratulations to fifth grade student, Delle Zamary '29, who took home the coveted prize of apple pie, bragging rights, and her name on the CCDS Pi Day plaque. Delle memorized 123 digits of Pi. |
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On President's Day, parents and children took to the ice for a return of the annual CCDSkates party at Indian Hill Winter Club, sponsored by the Parents' Association. |
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Saturday, March 12, the curtain closed on upper school musical, Working.
40 cast and crew members, 14 songs, 18 performers, countless buckets of paint, lines memorized, steps learned, and three FANTASTIC performances!
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The upper school Science Olympiad Team placed second at Regionals and is headed to the State Science Olympiad Tournament for the fourteenth year in a row! |
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Head of School, Rob Zimmerman '98, listens to Hailey Leonard '32 recount tales of Jane Goodall, the English primatologist and anthropologist, at the ever-popular, 2nd Grade Wax Museum. |
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Led by Ambika Sharma '24, Upper School's student council hosted a donation drive for Ukraine. Our hearts are with the faculty, staff, and families in our community who are directly affected by the events in Ukraine, including our piano instructor, Elena Belfor-Sigalov. |
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The annual Country Day Fund campaign runs through June 30. If you have not done so already, please join fellow alumni in making a gift. Look out for details on Giving Day, Tuesday, May 3 - the perfect opportunity to make a gift before the year is out! |
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