The Hammond Alumni Council sponsored an exciting new event this year for graduating seniors and their parents. The newly-conceived Commencement Breakfast was designed to address two goals. First, the administrative team of Hammond wanted to create an event specifically designed to honor each graduating senior in a more personal manner than can be accomplished at other types of events. Hammond faculty members from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 were encouraged to respond to the opportunity to supply personal comments/memories about each senior. These comments, once solicited, were compiled by College Placement Director, Rene’ Bickley, and, finally, read by Upper School Head and Headmaster Designee, Chris Angel. The second goal of the event included the official welcome of all graduates into the Hammond Alumni Society. Rebecca Penland, Hammond School graduate of the class of 1982 and incoming President of the Alumni Council, offered the official welcome and the following “Top Ten Reasons to Support Hammond:”

TOP TEN WAYS FOR ALUMNI
TO SUPPORT HAMMOND  

10. Be a strong advocate for Hammond whenever you have the opportunity.

9. To stay informed, read the Horizons magazine and regularly visit the website: www.hammondschool.org

8. Hire Hammond students during the summer and hire graduates into permanent positions when possible.

7. Attend cultural and athletic events at Hammond.

6. Encourage prospective students to attend Hammond.

5. If and when you have children, consider sending them to Hammond.

4. Make a gift to the Annual Fund each year.

3. Volunteer your time and energy for Hammond committees and support groups.

2. Participate in Hammond alumni events, Homecoming and reunions.

1. Stay in touch. Let us know where you are and what you are doing.

Seniors and their parents were treated to a catered hot breakfast provided by Hammond Chef, David Scarcella. At the conclusion of the event, all students and their guests were invited to attend the Awards Day ceremonies.

 

On Friday, May 22, yearbook editor, Margaret Deans Fawcett, announced the dedication of the 2008-2009 Hammond Yearbook – Mr. Tom Mancke – Hammond’s legendary Naturalist-in-Residence. Mr. Mancke, who has just completed his 20 th year as naturalist, received his honorary copy of the yearbook at the all-school event..

 

A 33-year teaching career drew to a close on Friday, May 22. Much loved physics and mathematics teacher, Mary Petersen, was honored for her many years of service at Awards Day; a reception in her honor followed in Barks Hall. The following text is the recognition of Mary’s service to the school given by Headmaster designee, Chris Angel:

Every teacher faces a familiar dilemma every new instructional year. On the one hand, there is the “body of information” that constitutes the content of one’s course. This is the information that must be mastered before one can be successfully promoted. On the other hand, is “the student” with his/her strengths and weaknesses and general preparedness for that new material. A good teacher almost instantly recognizes that, no matter what, every new year with every new set of students, there is also an inevitably new place to begin one’s course. A good teacher recognizes, with a bit of trial and error, the appropriate speed, the depth of complexity, and the breadth of investigation that can be appropriately handled by one’s students. Adjustments must be made; new instructional strategies often need to be employed. This is what makes this profession so interesting and so rewarding.

A great teacher, however, goes beyond this. A great teacher takes an interest in every single student and seeks to determine what is likely to make that student understand a concept, or want to return…with enthusiasm… for tomorrow’s lesson….or, not to give up when it would be easy to do so….or, to celebrate in those glorious and tender moments when you realize as a teacher that a student finally, really “gets it.” A great teacher is one who takes the time to ensure that a student has exhausted his/her questions. A great teacher is loved not because she/he let up on the demands of the coursework but somehow convinced the student that the material really can be mastered.

Today we honor such a teacher. For 33 years, Mary Petersen has challenged, inspired, and loved her students here at Hammond. But today…. we must say “good-bye” to a “legend” named…. Mary Petersen.

We understand that we must deal with your departure, and we will – somehow!! But please know that you will leave both an unparalleled legacy of students who are proud to have been in your classroom…. AND… a very large hole in the fabric of Hammond School that we will never be able to fill. We honor you; we love you; and we wish you well.

 

Hammond Seniors spent the week prior to commencement testing their inner strength and preparing for the changes ahead of them after graduation at Camp Chattooga. The participants of the Hammond Senior Trip were honored by special guest speaker, John Francis, Ph.D., known as the Planetwalker. Dr. Francis spoke to the students on Redefining the Environment through personal actions and community mindset. Dr. Francis contends that our connection to the earth, as well as each other, is at the heart of the environmental crisis. Here is a video clip from Dr. Francis conversation with the senior class.

To learn more about Dr. Francis and the Planetwalker initiative please visit,  http://www.planetwalker.org/. 

 

On Friday, May 15 th, 2009, Hammond Senior Mason Castles received the Bill Simpson Award for a female student-athlete, the highest honor in the state for a student-athlete from the South Carolina Association of Independent Schools (SCISA).  SCISA Executive Director Larry Watt attended Hammond’s Varsity Spring Awards Evening and presented Mason the award in Hammond’s Bank of America Theater.  SCISA has honored over 1300 scholar-athletes in the 2009-2010 school year, and the Bill Simpson Award is the highest honor awarded. 

Among her many accomplishments, Mason finishes Hammond with a 5.059 GPA and 1550 SAT score, 13 Varsity letters, and has participated in basketball, cross-country, and track and field since 7 th grade.  For the past two consecutive years, she has been the reigning state champion in the 1600 Meters and state runner up in the 800 Meters.  Mason was named to the North-South team for basketball in 2008-2009, was named to the all-region team in Cross-Country and ran on three State Championship Cross County teams in 2005, 2006, and 2007.  She is also on Hammond’s FCA Leadership Team and on Hammond’s Honor Council, in addition to singing in Select Ensemble.

The Bill Simpson Award is presented annually to a graduating male and female student-athlete in memory of Bill Simpson. Mr. Simpson served the South Carolina Independent School Association for seven years as the Athletic Secretary. Mr. Simpson, an educator first and foremost, emphasized the importance of academic achievement. The Bill Simpson Award is the highest individual honor bestowed upon a student-athlete in the South Carolina Independent School Association.

 

Today marked the Twelfth Annual Trip to the Lower School for the English 7 students.  This opportunity is special to both the Lower School and Middle School students.  The seventh graders work hard to develop a short story that will be enjoyed by the younger audience.  Once their short story is fine-tuned, the big kids transform the short story into their very own children’s book, tapping into their creative juices.  The project has been in place long enough that the seventh grade students remember when they were the ones who were visited by the big Middle Schoolers.  Without a doubt, this day is a highlight each year for Mrs. Noel Schuch and all of the students.

 

On Tuesday, May 19 the Third grade students presented the South Carolina History play.  This educational and entertaining program is a staple of the Hammond Lower School curriculum.  The students culminate a year of study of the Palmetto State through music, humor, fascinating facts, and special guest appearances.  This program is always a treat.

 

The Middle School parents, faculty and staff celebrated the 8th Grade students on Friday, May 15, 2009, with the annual Step Up Ceremony.  The ceremony is a means to usher the students into high school by honoring their middle school careers.  The ceremony was followed that evening by the 8th Grade Step Up dance. 

 

 

On Friday, May 8, the first grade presented “Westward Ho”.   The program was the culmination of a study on pioneers and early American history.  In preparation for the program, students learned about pioneer life by reading "The Little House" series as well as reading various books about cowboys and the wild west. Students especially enjoyed learning how to square dance and sing pioneer songs.   

 

On Thursday, May 7, the Kindergarten Classes presented the Butterfly Brunch.  This special program concluded the students’ study of bugs and butterflies while celebrating Mother’s Day and spring.  The Butterfly Brunch is a special time for moms to spend time alone with their kindergartener enjoying songs, poetry, and a light brunch. 

Four Hammond Juniors have been identified as National Merit Nominees. Of the 1.5 million who took the PSAT in October, these four students are among the top 50,000: Avery Acuff, Sophia Chen, Rachel Fowler, and Michael Opal.

With about 2500 riders and over 200 teams in the nation, Hammond School’s Equestrian team joined 45 other teams with 400 riders in Painsville, Ohio for the 2009 IEA National Finals Competition. After only a year in existence, the Hammond Equestrians make their presence on the national level with the following awards:

Western Individual Competition, Saturday, May 2, 2009

Western Team Competition, Sunday, May 3, 2009

At the conclusion of the team competitions:

The Western side of the Hammond Equestrian Team qualified for and competed in zone finals outside of Atlanta, Georgia the first weekend in April. Teams were present from six states in the southeast with our team being the only western team from the state of South Carolina. Our riders competed as a team and as individuals.  The middle school team was the high-point champion and the upper school was reserve champion of the western competition for each age group.  Katherine Chrysostom was the champion of her division and won a scholarship essay contest. Katherine and Cody McMillion, our captains, were also nominated for a sportsmanship award. Both teams and all of our individual riders qualified for national finals for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association by placing in the top three of each class in which they competed.  Our team will travel to Ohio the first weekend in May to compete against teams from all over the country.     

 

La Société Honoraire de Français, or The National French Honor Society, recognizes outstanding scholarship in the study of French language.  On Wednesday, April 8, there were nine Hammond students inducted into the NFHS. Pictured below left to right, in the back row,  Caroline Harris, Sarah Dobbs, Grace Cobbs, Georgina Dench, Sara Metropol, and Upper School French Teacher, Cristy Vogel. Pictured on the front row Nicole Beraho, Rachel Fowler, Cody McMillion (not pictured: Ted Lydon). This year is the first NFHS initiation ceremony held at Hammond. 

 

On Tuesday, April 8, the Hammond National Honor Society commemorated its 40th anniversary by inducting 21 new members into its prestigious ranks.  The inductees from the class of 2009, 2010, and 2011 were Lizzy Bakhaus, Katherine Dobbs, Liesel Hamilton, Katie Longaker, Raymond Prince, Avery Acuff, Jack Felmly, Mike Opal, Nicole Beraho, Adair Bramlett, Drew Dixon, Sarah Dobbs, David Dukes, Parker Marie Herring, Andrew Lamb, Ted Lydon, Cody McMillion, Kathryn Reddic, Kris Simmons, Anna Speth, and Braeden Troyer. 

Presiding over the ceremony were the highest ranked members of the society: Mason Castles, Thomas Hydrick, Devon Robinson, and Sam Riber. The presiding members spoke to the inductees and audience about the four facets of the organization: leadership, character, service, and scholarship. 

Upper School science instructor, Michael Rice. spoke during the ceremony encouraging the students and guests to be curious and pursue knowledge and experience.  Mr. Rice said, “a better reflection of one's intelligence is not only what one knows, but also what one has experienced, and how one integrates these experiences into his or her life.”

 

On Saturday, April 4th members of the 6th - 8th grade Concert Band attended the Carowinds Music Festival. The students performed for a panel of judges. The performance was well received by the judges and audience. Congratulations on a wonderful job!

 

Hammond School is pleased to announce that three of its students have received Furman University scholarships, securing the largest amount of Furman merit award money of any school in the nation. On Friday, April 3, Furman University representatives traveled to Hammond to present the James B. Duke Scholarship, a full academic award based on a student’s academic profile, to Thomas Hydrick. The Hollingsworth Award was offered to Mason Castles and Sarah Prickett and is Furman’s public leadership scholarship to recognize students who show unusual potential for making a difference in their communities.

On Friday, April 3, families and friends from as far away as Germany, convened on the Hammond Campus to enjoy Grandparent’s Day.  This event is a long-standing tradition, which gives students an opportunity to welcome grandparents, special adult friends or “adoptive” grandparents to school for a memorable morning in their honor.

New this year, the day’s activities commenced with the Lower School students enthusiastically singing the Hammond fight song in the Fitness Center.  Following this spirited song, the guests were entertained by Hammond’s internationally acclaimed Select Ensemble.  Afterwards, the visitors dispersed to all three divisions to visit classrooms and tour our beautiful campus.  On the upper campus, guests were serenaded by the Middle School band, newly added in 2009. 

 

Congratulations to our Sixth Grade Science Fair winners. The Central Midlands Science and Engineering Fair was held March 20. Nineteen of our sixth grade students competed at this state competition. Four students were invited back to the Awards Ceremony on March 29.

Frances Sadler was awarded the Director’s Distinguished Award, 3rd place in Behavioral Science, and was nominated for the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (nationals). Ayan Dasgupta was awarded 2nd place in Behavioral Science, 1st place for Best Sixth Grade Project and was also nominated for the DCYSC. Additionally, Jacob Burger and Sara Wallam won for Best Sixth Grade Project.

Ayan and Frances now have an opportunity to refine and polish their projects prior to competing in the National DCYSC.

 

On Tuesday, March 17, the Hammond 4th graders presented the 50 States program. This fun and informative presentation was the culmination of an extensive yearlong research project. For the program each student chose a symbol or person that embodies their state. All of the states were well represented this year as the students chose a wide array, from a Louisiana King Cake to an Alaskan Fur Trader. There were many laughs and many facts shared throughout the program. A tremendous round of applause goes out to all of the 4th graders and their teachers on a job well-done.

 

On Thursday, March 12, a smoke bomb covered catapult launched a success for a group of seniors. The winning team members were Steven Farish, Gavin Fawcett, Chase Loveless, Thomas Ulmer, Matthew McClam, Clif Kitchens. According to US Physics Teacher, Mary Petersen, "We have studied torques and are now studying projectiles. They were to use their acquired knowledge to build a catapult or trebuchet." The winning catapult hurled the coconut about 57 yards.

 

On Tuesday, March 10, Select Ensemble member and Hammond Senior, Caroline Wilson, sang the National Anthem at the U.S. Army Signing Ceremony. Caroline's moving solo performance brought a few teary eyes to the prestigious audience.

 

Hammond Middle School Band students attended the SCISA Music Festival held at the USC School of Music on Tuesday, March 10th. The were judged on their performance of an instrumental band solo piece prepared prior to the festival. All of the students from Hammond received medals for their performance. Isabelle Mikell, Zane Presnal, and Lou Runge received gold medals and Patrick Kneece, Lauren Lenker, and Sara Stuart received silver medals.  They all did a wonderful job!!!

 

Hammond’s Equestrian Team hosted the first Interscholastic Equestrian Association western show in the state of South Carolina on Saturday, March 7, 2009.  Two teams traveled from Georgia to compete. Hammond’s upper and middle school teams were high point champions for both the morning and afternoon competitions. The western side of the team will head to zone finals near Atlanta on April 4-5 and the hunt seat side of the team competes in regional finals on March 15 at the College of Charleston.   

 

On Saturday, February 28, Hammond families braved the rain and cold to support their fathers, brothers, and sons in the 2009 Hammond Alumni Soccer Game. The school spirit and dedication was rewarded with a victory for our alumni athletes. The final score at the end of the rain-soaked morning was a victorious 5-4.

 

The 2009 induction ceremony of the Herbert B. Barks Chapter of the Cum Laude Society was held Tuesday, February 24 th in the Bank of America Theatre. Upper school students were addressed by Mr. Michael Collins, Interim Head of School. Mr. Collins exhorted students, “You have a huge responsibility to make maximum use of your innate talents as guided by parents and teachers who want you to excel, to be generous with your time to others in need, and to treat others as you wish to be treated, acting honorably in all ways.”

Current members of the Society, Mason Castles, Beth Cotter, Thomas Hydrick, Madison Kocher, Sarah Prickett, Sam Riber, and Devon Robinson welcomed new inductees Lindsey Beard, Mimi Keenan, Harriet Kneece, Hunter McMaster, Simms Oliphant, Brooks Owens, Avery Acuff, Sophia Chen, and Ramsey Ugarte. The new members were honored at a luncheon in Barks Hall Conference Room following the ceremony.

Founded in 1906 in Maryland, the Cum Laude Society is modeled on Phi Beta Kappa and encourages and recognizes true scholarship in secondary schools. Only students who have performed at the very highest level in an academically rigorous curriculum are invited to join.

Schools must pass a vigorous application process before they are asked to join the Society. The presence of a Cum Laude chapter at a secondary school is an indication that superior scholastic achievement is honored. Only five schools in South Carolina, all independent schools, have chapters of the Society.

 

The Hammond chapter of the National Junior Beta Club was proud to be able to induct fifty new seventh and eighth grade members in a ceremony on Friday, February, 20th 2009.

The ceremony took place in the Bank of America theatre amidst flowers and candles. Mrs. Sally Aldridge (8th grade Beta Club sponsor) led the new members as they pledged their allegiance to the ideals of the Beta Club. The new inductees then received their certificates and pins from Middle School Head Mrs. Blair Lowry and Mrs. Peta Miller (7th Grade Beta Club sponsor). Mrs. Lowry’s address about the illustrious history of the Beta Club served to inspire the new members to continue to be worthy of this important scholastic honor.

The afternoon concluded with a reception in the foyer of the theatre for the new inductees and their parents. The flowers, punch and delicious food added an air of celebration to the occasion. Congratulations to all our new members.

“We can despair and curse, and change nothing. We can choose evil like our enemies have done and create a world based on hate. Or we can try to make things better.” – Daniel’s Story by Carol Matas

On Wednesday, February 4th, Hammond School was honored by the presence of a very special guest, Holocaust survivor and author of her own personal memoir, Four Perfect Pebbles, Marion Blumenthal Lazan. Mrs. Lazan spoke to both middle school and upper school students and held a special evening presentation for parents about her experiences leading up to and during the Holocaust. While her stories and experiences were both harsh and powerful, her message was clear – love, faith and perseverance must win over prejudice and hatred. All who witnessed her message and were touched by her warmth and energy walked away with her message of hope. Sixth grade students were particularly moved as they have read Mrs. Lazan’s book and are currently studying the holocaust through their literary study of Daniel’s Story by Carol Matas. As 6th grade student Katharyn Taylor so eloquently expressed in a reaction paper, “I learned that even though life isn’t fair, it goes on, and that we need to make the most of it in the worst situations.” This is certainly what Mrs. Lazan has accomplished in her own life.

Video of special presentation by Holocaust survivor, Marion Blumenthal Lazan at Hammond

 

The Hunt Seat Equestrian Team competed in a horse show in Brooklet, GA on January 17-18, against fourteen other teams. Schools came from as far away as Atlanta. In spite of freezing temperatures, our team rode so well and placed 3rd on Saturday and 6th on Sunday. The team plans to compete in another show in Georgia in February as we are now only one point away from qualifying for regional competition in March.  

Skyhwawk Athletics continue to exhibit excellence, as evidenced most recently by being awarded SCISA’s President’s Cup for the 2007-2008 school year, the second year in a row.  The President’s cup is based on state championships, state runners up, and region finishes in all SCISA sports.  SCISA presented the Cup to Hammond at its board meeting on December 6 th, 2008.

 

The Morehead-Cain Foundation recently announced the selection of Sarah Prickett as a finalist for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship. As a finalist, Sarah will attend the Morehead-Cain Final Selection Weekend in Chapel Hill. Over the course of the Selection Weekend, she will take part in selection activities (including two separate twenty-minute interviews with two distinct committees of three interviewers), and have the opportunity to learn more about the Program from current Scholars, Morehead Alumni, and staff. Sarah is one of only 70 out-of-state finalists selected from nearly 1,700 applicants. She is the daughter of alums Melissa Cureton Prickett (’81) and Dalton (’79) Prickett.

 

At Hammond School, students are learning more than academics and athletics – they’re also learning about community service. One of the many philanthropic clubs at Hammond is the Red Cross Club.

 “We just started this fall, so it’s a brand new thing for us,” said Katherine Muller, math teacher and Hammond Red Cross Club sponsor. “I am thrilled to, not only teach a wonderful group of kids in the classroom, but also to be able to sponsor a group of teenagers who have decided on their own to volunteer to help others. They already have their hearts in the right place; I am just helping them direct their actions.”

The University of South Carolina has a Red Cross Club for its students, but Hammond School’s Red Cross Club marks the first high school Red Cross Club in the region.  Libby Anne Inabinet, chief development officer with the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina, pitched the idea to Hammond students as her Liberty Fellowship project.   

“I have always been interested in helping out the community and when I met with Mrs. Inabinet, I felt like that was the perfect opportunity to reach out to the community,” said Kaki Smith, president of the Hammond Red Cross Club. “My biggest goal for this year is to inspire my classmates and instill a sense of goodwill in the Hammond community.”

The Hammond Red Cross Club aims to complete one service project per month.  During October, their first month, they collected money for comfort kits for disaster victims at home varsity football games. Their November project involves selling $5 coupons at Belk as part of the Belk Charity Day sale on Saturday, Nov. 15. One hundred percent of coupon profits will go directly to the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina.  The coupons will allow customers to buy sale items and regularly priced merchandise at a 20 percent discount, and the “early bird special” from 6-11 a.m. will give customers $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more.

Chris Angel, Upper School Head at Hammond School, applauds the students’ interest in getting involved in their community. 

“I'm really proud of the students for getting the Red Cross Club started,” Angel said.  “They started it on their own initiative. The Red Cross is a valuable organization to be involved with.”

Betty Giles of Columbia was the Hammond Red Cross Club sponsor when she taught life science to seventh graders during the 1970s. She recalls the group meeting once a month for a health and safety program, and making trips to the veteran’s hospital and nursing homes. The club also had representation on the Red Cross Council.

“I think students need to learn to give at an early age,” Giles said. “It broadens your horizons to see that there are worthwhile organizations, and you can’t find a better one than the Red Cross. It’s important to realize that there are people in need and to reach out to help.”

Martha Scott Smith, former board chair of the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina, said that it has always been her dream to see Red Cross Clubs re-established in schools.

“As a child, I collected pennies for the Red Cross at my school,” Smith said. “It always gave me a sense of pride when I collected enough pennies to receive a Red Cross pin. The Red Cross is not going to go away – it has expanded and offers so many services. It’s important for young people to know and embrace the ideals of the American Red Cross.

 

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) provides motivated and academically prepared students the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams.

Ree Lightsey (’08) and James Wade (’08) qualified for the National AP Scholar Award, a first in the school’s history, by earning an average grade of “4” or higher on a five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Fifteen students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams: Arthur Corontzes, Kayla Hammer, Walker Hope, Ali Hymson, Alston James, Ree Lightsey, Wilson McWilliams, William Mounfield, Caroline Neuffer, Marshall Schraibman, Lauren Sribnick, Hillary Taylor, Hannah Ugarte, Tripp Ulmer, and James Wade, all members of the Class of 2008.

Four students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams: Alex Metropol (’08), Devon Robinson, Harry Tomlinson (’08), and Will Yarborough (’08).

Fifteen students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher: Lindsey Beard, Babs Benesh (’08), Isabelle Caskey (’08), Mason Castles, Ella Hyatt (’08), Thomas Hydrick, Madison Kocher, Alison Lamb (’08), Catharine League (’08), Simms Oliphant, Brooks Owens, Sarah Prickett, Sam Riber, Emmett Richardson (’08), and William Shuler (’08).

 

 

The National Merit Scholarship Program has recognized six seniors at Hammond for their  scores on the 2007 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Program, a nationwide competition for recognition and awards conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Thomas Hydrick was selected as a Semifinalist and will have the opportunity to compete for National Merit Scholarships offered next spring.  To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of competition.

Mason Castles, Katherine Dobbs, Sam Riber, Devon Robinson, and Taylor Smith were recognized as Commended Scholars for the exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their performance on the exam.

 

The Upper School Drama Students had the tremendous honor of participating in the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The troupe preformed the School Edition of Les Miserables to sold out audiences at several showings at the venue. Hammond’s selection places the school’s theatre program in the top echelon of schools in the United States.

Click on the picture below to view many of the productions images.

You can read many of the reviews at the follwoing website. http://www.edfringe.com/reviews/read.html?id=1940