Cape Cod Academy's Seahawks' News

SEAHAWKS' NEWS

June 3, 2022

A weekly update for

Cape Cod Academy families

ALL-SCHOOL NEWS

Dear Friends and Families,

It is hard to believe that today is the last day of the school year for our students. There are many celebrations planned as they wrap up the year. On Saturday, we will hold our 46th Commencement Ceremony. I wish all our graduates the very best and know they will accomplish great things.

Next week, faculty and staff will be on campus, participating in professional development programs and making plans for next year. We will send one more issue of Seahawks' News to you next week, which will contain information about Cape Cod Academy's summer hours, next year's calendar, and how to access summer work. We will continue to communicate with you throughout the summer with information to help you and your child prepare for the 2022-2023 school year.

Thank you for an incredibly productive year. I truly appreciate the confidence and support that you, our families, provided all year long. I would also like to thank our faculty and staff for their amazing hard work and commitment to our students. They continue to provide rich and engaging experiences that are a testament to their dedication and professionalism.

I look forward to seeing all of you in September. Enjoy your summer break.

Jeff Thompson

Head of School

Commencement Ceremony on Saturday

Cape Cod Academy’s 46th Commencement Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in the Accrocco Alumni Courtyard. If you or family members would like to view the ceremony, it can be viewed via Zoom by clicking here.

Upcoming Events

Friday, June 3

This is the Last Day of School

Lower School Classroom Parties & Celebration of Arts & Learning

Grade 5: No school; Swim and Lunch Party from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Grade 8: No school; Swim and Lunch Party from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Graduation Rehearsal and Senior Dinner @ 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 4

Commencement at 10:00 a.m.

Dress Attire

Sunday, June 5

Release of Diamondback Terrapins at 10:00 a.m.

Sandy Neck Beach Park

Thursday, June 9

New Parent Reception/PA Reception at 6:00 p.m.

Accrocco Alumni Courtyard

Thursday, July 21

Alumni Summer Social at 5:30 p.m.

Accrocco Alumni Courtyard

The Release of Our Diamondback Terrapins

This Sunday, June 5, Cape Cod Academy's lower school scientists will be releasing two diamondback terrapin hatchlings they have been headstarting in science all year. Barnstable County resource officers dropped the two turtles off, then the size of quarters, in November 2021. Our science students have been raising them since. These efforts are part of a program to help ensure that more of this threatened species make it to adulthood.

Please join the students on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at Sandy Neck Beach Park, 425 Sandy Neck Rd, West Barnstable. This date was chosen for the best water temperature and tide time. The release includes a half-mile walk, so dress in appropriate clothing and wear closed-toe shoes. Please note: Some parking spaces are available in the gravel lots near the gatehouse; otherwise parking is $25 in their main lot.

END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Celebrating Our Students

Special award ceremonies and student presentations that featured accomplishments and accolades from this past year took place this week at Cape Cod Academy.

Awards Ceremony

Cape Cod Academy's annual Awards Day has held on Thursday, June 2 in the Accrocco Alumni Courtyard. The ceremony began with the presentation of College Book Awards. These awards were given to current juniors by Meghan Farley, Director of College Counseling. Following the Book Awards, students were recognized with Department Awards, Student Council Recognitions, and the Academic Excellence Award.

Book Awards Presented to Juniors

Every spring, colleges and their alumni seek to recognize high school juniors who have worked especially hard and achieved scholastic success at a high level. By awarding these books, they hope to honor the accomplishments of these students and to encourage them to think of themselves as potential students at that college or university.

Amelia Sullivan: Recipient of the Harvard University Book Award that recognizes a “student who exemplifies excellence in scholarship and high character combined with achievement in other fields.”

Malia Puls: Recipient of the Smith College Book Award for "a student who exemplifies academic achievement, leadership, and concern for others."

Lily Brooks: Recipient of the Tufts University Book Award that recognizes "a student who demonstrates not only high overall academic achievement and leadership, but who approaches his or her studies with enthusiasm, joy, and curiosity."

Dylan Andrews: Recipient of the University of Notre Dame Book Award that is presented to "a student whose academic record and character are exceptional and who has made significant personal contributions to his or her school or community."

Thomas Guidoboni: Recipient of the Yale University Book Award that recognizes a student who best exemplifies excellence in scholarship, character, leadership, and civic-mindedness.

Department Awards & Student Council Awards

Jessica Barbieri, Humanities Curriculum Coordinator, presented the awards from the English Department, the Humanities Department, and the World Language Department. She is pictured below with each award winner, along with Lisa Kowaleski, Associate Head of School, and Jeff Thompson, Head of School.

Christian Sears, STEM Curriculum Coordinator, presented the awards for the Mathematics Department and the Science Department. He is pictured below with each award winner, along with Lisa Kowaleski and Jeff Thompson.

Jan Rapp, Arts & Music Curriculum Coordinator, presented the Music and Art Department awards. She is pictured below with each award winner, along with Lisa Kowaleski and Jeff Thompson.

Phil Kenney, Director of Student Life, presented the Student Council Award. He is pictured below with each award winner, along with Lisa Kowaleski and Jeff Thompson.

Jeff Thompson presented the Academic Excellence Award and is pictured below with recipient, Taylor Bodurtha and Lisa Kowaleski.

Catherine Clarke received the English Department Award.

Hunter Kadra received the Humanities Department Award.

Aiden Peck received the World Language Department

Award.

Madeline Gelnett received the Mathematics Department

Award.

Xiawei (William) Liu received the Science Department Award.

Hoatian (Owen) Wu received the Art Department Award.

Adam Hanna, Aiden Peck, and Luca Petrossoa received Music Department Awards.

MacKenzie Balfore (President) and Amelia Sullivan (Vice President) received the Student Council Awards.

Taylor Bodurtha received the Academic Excellence Award.

Eighth-Grade Awards

The eighth-grade students shared reflections of their middle school experience with family and friends. This was followed by the presentation of awards.

The Eighth-Grade Community Award was presented to Mei-Elisabeth Berbine. This award is presented annually to the eighth-grade student who in his or her growth, best exemplifies the quality of wit, talent, and kindness.

The Larry Brown Compassion Award was presented to Lila Harden. The award is given to the middle school student, who in the estimation of the middle school faculty, demonstrates the characteristics of tolerance, charity, and good will- the exact characteristics that Mr. Brown, former faculty member, was known for during his 33 years at Cape Cod Academy. Mr. Brown attended the ceremony.

Fifth-Grade Memoirs

Our fifth-grade students enjoyed a special moving-up ceremony where each student shared their memoirs with parents, friends, and faculty.

Faculty Members Honored

The presentations of awards was followed by a special ceremony that celebrated the milestones of three distinguished colleagues. Each honored faculty and staff member was presented with an engraved lamp in recognition for 10 years of service to Cape Cod Academy: Lauren Gonnella, Ian Carr, and Richard Holmes.

Ian Carr, faculty member, dean, and current Admissions and Advancement Associate, was read a tribute by Phil Kenney, Director of Student Life.

Lauren Gonnella, Second-Grade Teacher, was read a tribute by Lisa Kowaleski.

Richard Holmes, Buildings & Grounds Team Member, was read a tribute by Cheri Ervin, Third-Grade Teacher.

Middle Schoolers Presented

Independent Learning Projects

Middle school students made presentations on their special-interest projects as part of their Educational Exploration, or E2 course. This program gave them an opportunity to explore a topic, concept, or issue that falls outside the boundaries of typical middle school courses. Topics presented by our middle school students:

Jack Basley and Liam Jatczak: Human and Octopus Interaction

James Brunicardi and Daniel Roma: Disney Parks Structural Design

Mei Berbine: Dopamine: Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Brain Chemistry

Cooper Stephens: American Pig War

Alex Hermann: FPV Drone Design, Construction, and Piloting

Ben Catalano: Boat Design and Construction

John Malkani: Cold Water Plunge

Dillon George: History of Ancient Norway

Jordan Hilbert: Platformer for E2

Isaiah Stacey: US-Russia Relations

Mike Berry: Best Buddies Program

Senior Service Projects Presented

Each year, CCA seniors dedicate their last weeks of school working on a dedicated project to support the greater community. Their projects culminate in presentations of their work to families, faculty, and classmates.

Anna Purmont-LaBue and Madeline Gelnett: Cape Wildlife Center

George Zhao: YMCA Hyannis

Catie Clarke: Amplify POC Cape Cod

MacKenzie Balfore: Chatham Elementary School

Adam Hanna and Hunter Kadra : Heritage Museums and Gardens

Lucas Guo and Joey Gu: The Family Pantry of Cape Cod

William Liu, Owen Wu, and Tom Cao: Colorful Kidz

Adil Chaundry and Aidan Peck: Heritage Museums and Gardens

Kalaija Moore: Cape Abilities

Luca Petrosso: Cape Symphony

Keeva George: CCA Ungerman Library

Elaine Zang and Emir Polat: A Baby Center

Sam Dai: YMCA Hyannis

Jaeden Greenleaf: Sims Basketball Academy

Varsity Tennis Teams & Girls' Lacrosse Team Qualify for State Tournament

Congratulations to our boys' and girls' varsity tennis teams as they have both qualified for the MIAA State Tournament! Our girls have qualified as the #16 team in the state and will be hosting #17 Swampscott High School on Monday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. Our boys have qualified as the #9 team in the state and will be hosting #24 Hanover High School on Sunday, June 5 at 12:00 p.m. Come out and support our teams!

Congratulations also to our Girls' Lacrosse Team for qualifying for the MIAA State Tournament. The date of their next game has not yet been announced.

Middle School Tennis Players Compete in Super Six Tournament

Our middle school tennis players competed in the Cape Cod Super Six Middle School Tennis Tournament this week. Congratulations to their remarkable play resulting in first-place wins.

#1 Singles Division: Ben Catalano was champion.

#2 Singles Division: Griffin Mayo was champion.

#1 Doubles Division: Connor Hall and James Brunicardi were champions.

#2 Doubles Division: Tommy Murray and Nate Delman were champions.

Mixed Doubles Division: Gigi Wilson and Garrett Wilson were champions.