Happy Thanksgiving from Cincinnati Country Day!

With the holiday season approaching, we can't help but reflect on all that we have to be thankful for this year. We are grateful for our incredible faculty and staff, who know and nurture our students in a warm and supportive learning environment. We’re thankful for our talented students, who inspire us with the amazing feats they accomplish each day. We are grateful for our steadfast parents and grandparents whose dedication strengthens the CCDS community. And we are thankful for our committed alumni, who continue to demonstrate the value of a CCDS education throughout the world and who exemplify our motto, Virtue in Action, with the many ways they give back to our school.

As we take time to give thanks this Thanksgiving, we want you to know how grateful we are for everything you do to make Country Day a special place. Wishing you a peaceful and joyous holiday surrounded by loved ones.

Girls Soccer Team Wins It All!

The girls varsity soccer team have won OHSAA Division III state championship for the third time in five years! The team played in the state championship game on Friday, November 11, and won 1-0 against Ottawa-Glandorf at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. 

"This team has continued a tradition of excellence on the field and in the classroom, and by creating a family atmosphere for all 33 players," said Theresa “Hirsch” Hirschauer, head coach. “I could not be prouder of who they are as a team.” 

What was the secret to their success? Hirsch believes it is leadership. 

"The senior captains – CJ Debra, Sydney Bortz, Sami Hess, and Alexia Lander-Vegas – have been tremendous," said Hirschauer. "The team improved every game throughout the 17-game regular season with different players stepping up at different moments." 

At the beginning of the season, the team was ranked number two in the region, but by the time playoffs came around, they were a number one seed.  

"To me, leadership is the culmination of many things. It's driving the younger girls to practices and games...including everyone in team traditions and superstitions...organizing events to ensure that we can have fun as a team," said CJ Debra `23, team goalie. "I have learned that you must be patient and understanding to succeed. People make mistakes in life and in soccer; it's all part of the process." 

This was the soccer team’s fifth appearance in the state final. The last time the team won the state championship title was in 2019 when the four seniors on the current team were freshmen. 

"As a senior and a captain, my most important role is leading the younger girls and preparing them for next year when we won't be there," continued DeBra. "If there is a sense of community throughout the entire team, the team works better on the field and gets along as a group of sisters. If the younger players are nervous about a big game, I have to act like I'm not nervous and provide a calm atmosphere for them."   

Although the team took many shots on goal throughout the match, Elizabeth Zimmerman `24 scored the game-winning goal with nine minutes left to play. 

"Leadership is very important when it comes to being on the field and in the classroom, too," said Sydney Bortz `23. "No matter where I am, I try to lead by example. When I'm at practice, I make sure I'm focused on the practice and show the younger teammates how to focus before a big game. I do the same thing in my classes. Setting the example to doing my work or listening to my teachers also impacts the classroom."  

The Future is Bright for Country Day

On Match Day, the Country Day community came together to raise more than $425,000! Gifts ranged from a few dollars to many thousands and EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. made a difference! We are deeply grateful to all the alumni who took the opportunity to support our school and help us continue to provide the best educational experience possible.

On behalf of our students, faculty, and staff, THANK YOU! Our students’ futures will be bright thanks to your steadfast commitment. 

Inaugural Arts Hall of Fame Inductees Have Impressive Impact on the Arts at Country Day and Beyond

Pictured Above: Head of School Rob Zimmerman '98 and Arts Hall of Fame inductees Jeffrey Harrison '76, Gary Pierce '67 (accepting the award on behalf of his mother, Phyllis Pierce), Kellen Pomeranz '07, Mitchell Block '68, and William Messer '66.

Not pictured: Robert Shetterly, Jr. '68 and Veena Sud '85 who joined the celebration via Zoom.

Cincinnati Country Day School is the place to be a…poet, songwriter, filmmaker, art teacher, portrait storyteller, director, leader.

The seven Arts Hall of Fame award inductees include all these monikers and then some.

“The honorees have excelled in a range of artistic endeavors…their accomplishments have won worldwide accolades, including Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy awards,” said Robert Zimmerman `98, head of school. “Regardless of the medium in which they have practiced or the awards they have garnered, each honoree demonstrates the unique power of art – a power derived from art’s ability to at once comfort and challenge, to inspire and incite.”

The Arts Hall of Fame Class of 2021 inductees are Phyllis Pierce, William Messer ’66, and Robert Shetterly, Jr. ’65. Kellen Pomeranz ’07 was presented with the Rising Star award.

The Class of 2022 includes Mitchell Block ’68, Jeffrey Harrison ’76, and Veena Sud ’85.

The Arts Hall of Fame is a celebration of the school’s strong and vibrant tradition in the arts. Former students and community members are recognized for their contributions to the fine, musical, performing, and literary arts at CCDS and beyond.

Phyllis Pierce, founder of the upper school fine arts program, began the program in the early 1960s with assistance from student Bill Messer. Robert B. Shetterly, Jr. `65 is an accomplished painter and founder of Americans Who Tell the Truth. Shetterly was active in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam war movements that inspired much of his work over the years. William F. Messer `66, and fellow inductee, Phyllis Pierce, spearheaded the creation of the upper school fine arts program. He is an accomplished photographer and critic in the United States and Europe. Kellen Pomeranz `07 is a multi-talented producer and Grammy-winning songwriter. Mitchell W. Block `68 is an Oscar-winning filmmaker, primarily a producer of documentary films. Jeffrey W. Harrison `76, is an award-winning poet and the author of six full-length books of poetry. Veena C. Sud `85 is an Emmy-winning showrunner, screenwriter, producer, and director for both TV and film productions.

“To all of our honorees, we are proud to claim you as part of our legacy of artistic leadership – a legacy whose mantle we must take up anew with each successive generation of students and educators to address a new generation of intractable problems,” continued Zimmerman. “Thank you for allowing us to celebrate the ways in which your lives, like your art, inspire us all.”

It's Time to Submit Your Nominations for the 2023 Alumni Awards

Country Day alumni are some of the most accomplished citizens in the world. Each year we recognize a small group for their accomplishments in the greater community and at Country Day.

If you wish to nominate an alum, teacher, or coach, click here to read more about eligibility and fill out the nomination form. 

Veterans Day Celebration Honors Alumni Who Served

Pictured above: Student council president Nick Watts '23 and CCDS alum and US Navy veteran Tom Langlois '77

On Thursday, November 10, student council president Nick Watts `23 led a celebration for the school community to honor our veterans. 

"Veterans Day is one of the most important days of the year," said Watts. "It's important that we take a moment and recognize all those who served our country. We should be proud of these American heroes."  

The celebration recognized the six Country Day alumni who served and lost their lives - Jordy Alsfelder `08, Francis Baldwin `38, William Goodall III `39, Peter Greene `33, Robert Pogue `43, and Derrick Vail `40. Tom Langlois `77, a US Navy veteran, delivered a few remarks about his time serving in the Persian Gulf and Australia throughout the 1980s.  

"I was a history major, but when I got to the Navy, they put me in an engineering role," said Langlois. "Because I had my Country Day education, I knew how to be a lifelong learner and teach myself new things. I taught myself the engineering skills I needed to do my job on the USS Brooke."  

Veterans in attendance were also recognized during the ceremony with a medley of service branch anthems. The Upper School choir performed "Song for the Unsung Hero," and the seventh-grade choir performed "America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)." 

"I'm grateful for my time in the Navy. I got to see the world, but I also learned so much from my crew members. They taught me such a sense of purpose. We all knew we had to do our jobs well because our lives depended on each other," said Langlois. "Each of us – every individual – has strengths and weaknesses, and we have to harness those strengths to work together for a common goal. These are the skills that you learn at Country Day, on your teams, in your arts performances, in your clubs, and your classrooms. These are the skills that make you a better person."

Save the Date for CountryDate!

Join fellow Country Day alumni, parents, and friends at our annual community celebration. CASINO NIGHT promises fun for all with casino games, beverages, light bites, and s'mores around the fire pit!

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.

LITTLE MIAMI BREWING COMPANY EVENT CENTER

Funds raised support Country Day's students, faculty, and programs.

Business and family sponsorship opportunities are available. Please consider a sponsorship and make CASINO NIGHT a WIN!

For more information on sponsorships, contact Sarah Snowden, associate director of campaigns, at snowdens@countryday.net or 513.979.0282.

Conference Empowers Female Students to Explore Tech Majors and Careers

Upper School teacher Lauren Corrigan brought 10 Upper School female students to the Women in IT Conference at Xavier University.  

The free, one-day event gave high school girls time and space to explore what it means to have a career in computing and technology through keynote presentations, networking opportunities, and panel discussions. Students listened to presentations from April Cielica, the senior vice president of Procter and Gamble, Liz Andrews-Bock, the senior vice president at Fifth Third Bank, and Jess Salzburn, the chief information officer at GE Aerospace. 

"I learned that the job path isn't always linear,” said Bee Kohler `26. “The speakers were relatable and made it seem okay, even common, not to know what you want to be when you grow up.” 

The event also included a panel discussion of college students, during which attendees could submit questions and learn more about general college life and what it is like to major in an IT field. 

"The conference was so impactful, and I enjoyed that they had actual university students there to talk to us," said Fleur Helmantel `24. "It was nice to hear about everyone's different journey into IT. It was also great to hear about general college life and my options in the next few years." 

In addition, women from various corporations in the greater Cincinnati region served as mentors during a networking activity, sitting with the students at roundtables to share their personal stories and insights about a career in IT. 

"I thought the event did a great job de-mystifying the IT career field,” said Corrigan. “The speakers emphasized that students could work in the IT field without necessarily being the ones sitting at the computer writing the code, because coding is only one aspect of IT. IT is a field that all women, especially young students like these girls, should feel is accessible to them regardless of their coding experience or interest.” 

The November Issue of The Scroll is Hot Off the Press!

The Scroll is the student newspaper of Cincinnati Country Day School, where writers seek to connect, engage, and inform the Country Day community with thought-provoking content. Most importantly, it is a voice for the students.

On Wednesday, November 9, three students signed national letters of intent to play sports at the collegiate level.   

Congratulations to: 

"Signing Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It's a day when a dream comes true for these students and their parents, when all the practices, the games, and the commitment you and your families have made are worth it," said Athletic Director Dennis Coyle. "What makes me proud of you isn't just that you've played your sport well, but I know that you'll represent Country Day well on and off the field. I know all three of these students are well prepared to succeed in their sport and the college classroom."

Congratulations to these incredible student-athletes! 

Last Call for Class Notes Before Winter Connections!

Head of School Rob Zimmerman '98 had some fun with students and hosted a "Convince me Otherwise" session during lunch hour. This time the subject was "school should be year-round."

Students showed off their Halloween costumes at the annual Lower School parade.

The Upper School fall play, "Pride and Prejudice", had audience members rolling in the aisles.

Students really committed to the "Future is Bright" theme on Match Day.

8th grade students stopped by Mrs. Hoffman's kindergarten class to help students read and memorize sight words.

On Election Day, second grade students made their voices heard with their votes on an art or STEAM project.

In engineering class, Upper School students built circuits and programmed microcontrollers. Or, in layman's terms, built (and raced) robots!

Students, faculty, and staff lined the halls for a clap-out to send the varsity girls soccer team off to their State Championship WIN in style!

ECC students counting and stacking cans for the Food Drive and Turkey Train.