November 2, 2023

Friday was a big night for PT sports as the girls soccer team defeated Canterbury 1-0 to bring home their second IHSAA 1A State Championship in a row.The football team also posted a big victory, 48-6, over Clinton Central in the second round of Sectionals to move to 11-0 and move on to the Sectional Championship game on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at North Vermillion. Go Panthers!

Football photos by Jasmine Forrestal '25

Announcing the 2023-2024 PT Theatre Season

Join us tomorrow night as we begin Park Tudor’s 2023-2024 theater season for opening night of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, a comedy for all ages by Don Zolidis.

US Fall Play

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon

Performances: November 3, 4, and 5, 2023

Rated: G

Purchase Tickets

US Musical

MEAN GIRLS, High School Version 

Performances: March 8, 9, and 10, 2024

Rated: PG 13

MS Musical

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.

Performances: April 19, 20, & 21, 2024

Rated: G

Upper School Students Bring Home Creative Writing Awards

Students from Laura Gellin’s Creative Writing class submitted entries to the Poetry Society of Indiana Writing Contest. In this contest, ninth and tenth graders compete in one category, and eleventh and twelfth graders compete in a separate category. Congratulations to: 

Isabella Wilburn

(senior):

first place for “The Gardener” 

Nya Wright

(sophomore):

first place for “Dandelion Days”

Avalon Holden

(sophomore):

second place for “A Letter from a Once-Known Woman”

Caroline Crafton

(junior):

third place for “Comfort Far Above the Clouds”

Bryn Gillen

(sophomore):

fifth place for “Sewn Together”

Upper School REV Teams Compete at Purdue

The Science Department’s REV (racing electric vehicle) teams recently raced in the Purdue University Fall Classic Grand Prix. Seventeen karts from numerous Indiana high schools participated in the October competition. Senior and veteran participant Malcolm Hembre served as team principal overseeing the operations at the track. Sophomore and first-ever female driver Quincy Katz piloted her kart to an 11th-place finish and missed a top-three sprint qualifying race finish by 0.2 sec. Jackson Cooreman-Hood was her crew chief, and William Davison served as crew for the kart. 

Freshman driver Andrew Webster finished 4th in the sprint qualifying race and was unfortunately collected in a mid-race incident that rendered the kart inoperable after completing a flawless first half of the race. First-ever female crew chief Avery Williams was supported in the pits by veterans Vaughn Beesley and Cole Reed and freshman Jacob Cairns. We are deeply appreciative of Ryan and Kim Beesley’s logistical and transportation assistance, mechanical expertise, and photography for this event. 

Teams will return to Purdue in April 2024 for the Spring EV World Grand Prix competition. 

The REV teams are led by Dr. Scott McDougall, Upper School Science Teacher and Science Department Chair.

Four Seniors Present Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Research to Faculty

Four seniors completed requirements for the Science Department’s Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS) I and II courses and recently presented their research to Upper School department faculty. AIS students are required to conduct a rigorous research component during the summer months prior to the first semester of the senior year. 

Hannah Hampson’s research at Indiana University School of Medicine’s Brown Center for Immunotherapy led to working under the supervision of Dr. Lionel Apetoh, Director, Brown Center for Immunotherapy Immune Monitoring Core, and Christopher Brown Professor of Immunology. Hannah conducted wet-lab research investigating improvements to CAR-T cell cancer immunotherapies and understanding T9 T-cell subsets. Her work led to the formal poster presentation “Understanding IL9 and IFNγ Cytokine Secretion of CD4 T-cells Under Th9 and Th1 Skewed Conditions” and will be credited as co-author on a pending publication.

Anastasia Ebersole completed her requirements at the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. She worked under the supervision of Michele Cote, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology, Director, Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank, and the Dr. Carrie Ann Glasscock West Chair in Breast Carcinogenesis. Anastasia’s many months of dry-lab research led to the poster presentation “Markers of Vitamin D3 Activity in Normal Breast Tissue and Subsequent Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study.” Anastasia presented her findings at the recent American Association for Cancer Research conference. Special thanks to recently retired professor Dr. Anna Maria Storniolo, Andrew and Peggy Thomson Professor of Hematology Oncology at Indiana University School of Medicine, for her assistance with this opportunity. 

Lara Rahman conducted several months of research under the mentorship of Dr. Marc S. Mendonca, Professor of Radiation Oncology & Medical and Molecular Genetics, and Director of Radiation and Cancer Biology at Indiana University School of Medicine. She presented on the “Role of MDM2 in the Absence of p53 in Cell Viability Response to Radiation.” 

Rohan Shah was accepted to Diversity and Innovation Institute’s YiQ program and researched with fellow high school students about Alzheimer’s Disease. Rohan’s meta-analysis was under the supervision of DNOVA Director Dr. Luis Palacio and colleagues and panel representatives from Cummins, Corteva Inc., and Eli Lilly & Company. Rohan’s poster “Genetic Material Loss in the Brain and Its Effect on Alzheimer’s Disease” was presented at the YiQ conference this past summer. 

Students in the News

* Junior Elizabeth Polk recently competed in the 2023 Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Championships held in Aiken, South Carolina. She earned several awards including 6th, 7th and 10th place overall competing against 450 other qualified riders.

* Killer Instinct is two for two! For the second week in a row, Panther Robotics team 6842K walked away with the Tournament Champion trophy. For this competition, Rishi Nagireddy, Izzy Cohen and Luke Aikin traveled to Rochester, IN. After qualifications, the team found itself in third place. Choosing a team from Converse, IN, as their alliance partner, the #2 seeded team won four straight matches, dominating the #1 seed in the finals. In addition to winning the championship trophy, Killer Instinct also finished fourth in skills out of 40 teams. 

DECA's Spirit Box Business Officially Celebrates Grand Opening

DECA is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their Spirit Box vending machine business. This exciting addition to Park Tudor is located on the first floor of the Irsay Family Sports Center for Health and Wellness and is the result of two years of hard work and dedication from the club's executive board and advisor.

The Spirit Box business is not just about convenience; it provides a valuable learning experience and is entirely managed and operated by our talented students. They are responsible for product selection, inventory management, financial analysis, and customer service. This hands-on experience helps them develop essential life and business skills.

We are immensely proud of our students for taking on this project and their dedication to making it a success. We hope you will join us in supporting this exciting venture.

Hundreds of Prospective Upper School Students Attend Open House

We were thrilled to welcome prospective Upper School students and parents on Sunday afternoon, many of whom were visiting campus for the first time. Attendees heard from students, faculty, and administrators, and learned about the extraordinary opportunities Park Tudor offers.

In her opening remarks, senior Isabella Wilburn shared what makes PT so special:

"Learning without limits is something personalized to Park Tudor. As a student, you truly get to choose your classes depending on what you’re passionate about, so essentially, school isn’t the traditional idea of school anymore but a place that fuels your dreams and fosters your passions. Coupled with the fantastic teachers and counselors, your true potential quickly becomes a reality. The hallways flow with smiles, kindness, and respect for one another, even with our many differences. Park Tudor is my second home. My relationship with the people I’ve met here will last beyond these walls, and because of this, I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for the late-night bus rides with the cheer team heading home from a win. Thank you for introducing me to a life-changing program that led me out of the country for six weeks. Thank you for teaching me how to live an enjoyable life while finding the balance to learn along the way. These four years have flown by, and even though my time on this campus is coming to an end, I will forever be grateful for each and every moment spent here that has shaped me into the person I am today."

Thank you to all of the many faculty, staff, and students who made this event such a success!

ISSMA Instrumental, Piano & Vocal Solo and Ensemble Registrations Due November 15

The Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) will host its annual Instrumental Solo and Ensemble event on Saturday, January 27, 2024 and their annual Vocal and Piano Solo and Ensemble event on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Solo and Ensemble is a tremendous opportunity for students to perform in front of a qualified judge who will give them a rating (Gold, Silver, or Bronze) as well as important feedback which can help them improve. Even more importantly, the preparation process and the self-reflection necessary to prepare a song for Solo and Ensemble will help students greatly improve their musicality. No matter the result, students will walk away better musicians from having gone through the preparation process.

For students who wish to perform a vocal or piano solo at ISSMA, there is a registration fee of $16. For singers who require Park Tudor to provide an accompanist, there is an additional charge of $50, which includes two rehearsals plus the performance. This brings the total cost for a vocal solo with accompaniment to $66.

Students are also able to sign up to sing as part of a vocal ensemble. The registration cost for an ensemble is $8 per student, plus $50 if you need a Park Tudor accompanist, which will be split between the participants. 

Please use the links below to register your student for Instrumental or Piano & Vocal ISSMA Solo and Ensemble. These forms should be completed no later than Wednesday, November 15. Completing the forms will authorize Park Tudor to charge the entry and/or accompaniment fees to your Park Tudor student account.

Please reach out to Jennifer Nie (jnie@parktudor.org) or Lamonte Kuskye (lkuskye@parktudor.org) with any questions on Vocal and Piano registrations.

Please reach out to José Valencia (jvalencia@parktudor.org) or Chuck Flowers (cflowers@parktudor.org) with any questions on Instrumental registrations.

Parents, We Need You!

PT Annual Fund Parent Gift Challenge

Monday, October 30–Friday, November 17, 2023

Make a gift of any size to help unlock $30,000.

ALL GIFTS to the Annual Fund create an immediate impact for our Panthers. Your participation enables students to receive an extraordinary education from our exceptional educators and continues Park Tudor’s legacy of preparing students for what’s next.

When you make a gift to the Annual Fund between October 30 and November 17, your gift will be even more impactful! A generous Park Tudor family wants to inspire parent participation this year by donating $30,000 when 130 gifts are made during the Parent Gift Challenge. Your gift—at any level—makes a difference.

And, for a fun incentive, the first class in each division to reach 75% parent participation by November 17 will enjoy an Insomnia cookie and apple cider slushie party. Grades 1, 6 and 9 are currently leading their divisions!

For questions about giving to the Park Tudor Annual Fund, please contact Morgan Johnson at mpjohnson@parktudor.org or 317-415-2878. Thank you in advance for your support.

PTPA Update: Join Us for A Parent Evening Social on Nov. 7

Come meet up with fellow PT parents for the Park Tudor Parents Association Evening Social. 

Light snacks provided by the PTPA. Cash bar available.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

5:30–7:30 p.m.

Chalet

5555 N Illinois Street

Indianapolis, IN 46208

Grandparents & Special Friends Day is Friday, Nov. 17

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Hilbert Center, Lower and Middle School

Friday, November 17, 2023

Junior Kindergarten

• 7:45 a.m. Check-in at the Lower School Lobby
• 8:00–9:00 a.m. Classroom Visits

Senior Kindergarten–Grade 5

• 7:45 a.m. Check-in at the Lower School Lobby
• 8:00–10:40 a.m. Classroom Visits

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

• 10:45 a.m. Check-in at the Middle School Library
• 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Classroom Visits (lunch provided)

Reminder to the Class of 2024: Senior Photos due by Monday, November 13

Attention seniors and parents! It’s time to submit FIVE photos for the yearbook and graduation photo collage.

Please submit a photo of each:

• Senior portrait
• Baby picture as an infant or toddler

Plus THREE ADDITIONAL photos that may include, but not limited to:

• Fun high school photo with their friends
• Student participating in their favorite activity, sport, etc.
• Elementary school photo
• Family photo
• Favorite high school memory

Most students submit a formal senior photo for the yearbook, but a professional portrait is not required. Please submit hi-resolution images. Color photos are recommended. 

Please email digital photos to Yearbook Adviser Shirley Gaughan. If emailing photos from a phone, choose the highest possible quality when sending.

To have hard-copy photo scanned, bring them to Mrs. Gaughan in the Upper School. After scanning has been completed, they will be returned to you.

Please contact Mrs. Shirley Gaughan via sgaughan@parktudor.org or (317) 415-2713 with any questions.

DECA Needs Your Help!

We are looking for adult volunteers to help judge our District Competition at Brownsburg High School on January 17, 2024, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Training and dinner are provided.

DECA allows high school students to explore careers in finance, marketing, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship. If you are interested in sharing your time and talents with our program, please reach out to sjohnson@parktudor.org.

PT Annual Fund Parent Gift Challenge

Monday, October 30–Friday, November 17

If 130 parent gifts of any size are made during the challenge period, $30,000 will be unlocked!

Make A Gift to the Annual Fund

Upper School Fall Play

Friday, November 3: 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 4: 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 5: 2:00 p.m.

Ayres Auditorium

Purchase Tickets

PTPA Parent Evening Social

Tuesday, November 7

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Chalet

5555 N Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208

RSVP

MS/US Orchestra Concert (Grades 7-12)

Tuesday, November 14

Ayres Auditorium

7:00 p.m.

MS/US Band Concert (Grades 7-12)

Thursday, November 16

Ayres Auditorium

7:00 p.m.

Hilbert Center/Lower School/Middle School Grandparents Day

Friday, November 17

7:45-9:00 a.m.: JK1/JK2

7:45-10:40 a.m.: SK-Grade 5

10:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: MS (Grades 6-8); includes lunch

RSVP

Thanksgiving Break - No School

Monday, November 20-Friday, November 24