3…2…1…Blast Off!

On Saturday, April 21 at 4:00 pm, Dr. Deeb’s Senior Physics class (Kathryn B., Alex G., Madeline M., Elizabeth N., and Mary Z.) SUCCESSFULLY launched the step-two rocket that they built during their Physics Lab.  It went up at least 700 feet, the parachute opened at the maximum height and it glided beautifully.  Congratulations, Physics 12!

Photos couresty ot Alex G. and Madeline M.

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All-School Tribute for Oakcrest Trustee & Benefactress, Mrs. Debbie Duffy

On Monday, April 2, the school held a tribute for Oakcrest Trustee and benefactress, Mrs. Debbie Duffy.  Mrs. Duffy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Lloyd Bunting, Sr. and her generosity and leadership has been an essential part of the growth of the school throughout the school’s history.  Although Mrs. Duffy will be moving out of town, she shall continue her role as Trustee.  On April 2nd, Mr. and Mrs. Duffy attended Mass at Oakcrest celebrated by our chaplain, Fr. Ron Gillis.  The Oakcrest liturgical choir sang during the Mass.  An all-school assembly was called after Mass to thank Mrs. Duffy before she moves to her new home.

(L-R): Ellen Cavanagh, Head of School; Mrs. Duffy, Trustee; Student Council members

The Concert Chorus performs for Mr. and Mrs. Duffy

The Executive Student Council thanks Mrs. Duffy on behalf of the Oakcrest student body.

The Executive Student Council presents Mrs. Duffy with flowers and a framed prayer card of Our Lady of Oakcrest, engraved with a message from Oakcrest.

Mr. Duffy gives roses for Our Lady of Oakcrest.

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Filed under Character, Faculty & Staff Reflections, Faith, School Traditions, Special Events, Student Life

1st Annual Track & Field Fun Relays

On Friday, April 20, the Varsity Track & Field team enjoyed their First Annual Fun Relays!

The runners are divided into several teams, each representing a country of the world. The object of “Fun Relays” is to win the world against other teams. There are three races: a Sprints Medley Relay, a Distance Medley Relay, and a 4×400. Runners compete in several categories: lowest overall team time, personal records, and creative dress.

Countries represented included Vatican City, South Africa, the German Democratic Republic, Tibet, Puerto Rico, and France. The girls ran very well and had a blast!

Contributed by Miss Maria Pluta (History, Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Track & Field).

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Class of 2012 College Acceptances

Congratulations to the Class of 2012!  We are so proud of you!

(#) indicates more than one student accepted

Arizona State University

Boston College

Carnegie Mellon University

The Catholic University of America (5)

College of Charleston (2)

Christopher Newport University

Clemson University

Colgate University

Columbia College

Columbia University

Cornell University

University of Dallas (5)

University of Dayton (2)

DePaul University

DeSales University

Drexel University

Elon University (2)

Emory University

Fairfield University (2)

Fordham University (6)

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Furman University (3)

George Mason University (2)

High Point University (6)

James Madison University (3)

Johns Hopkins University

Longwood University

Loyola University Maryland (6)

Lynchburg College (2)

University of Mary Washington

University of Maryland, College Park (5)

Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount University (2)

Miami University, Oxford

University of Michigan (2)

University of Mississippi

Mount Saint Mary’s University (3)

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

University of Notre Dame (3)

Ohio University

University of Pennsylvania

Providence College (3)

Purdue University

Randolph College

Sacred Heart University (2)

Saint Joseph’s University

Saint Michael’s College

Savannah College of Art and Design (2)

School of Art Institute of Chicago

The University of Scranton (2)

University of St. Thomas

Stonehill College (2)

Sweetbriar College

Tulane University

Vanderbilt University (3)

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

University of Virginia (5)

Wake Forest University

Washington University in St. Louis

West Virginia University

College of William and Mary

University of Wisconsin, Madison

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Filed under Academics, Advising, Alumnae, College Counseling, Liberal Arts, SATs, Student Life

Oakcrest Co-Valedictorian and Student Council President to Play Division One Softball for Colgate University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McLean, Va. (April 20, 2012) –  Oakcrest School in McLean proudly announces senior Alexandra Joy Gadiano has signed a Letter of Intent to play Division One softball at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.  Gadiano is Student Council President at Oakcrest, and has just been named co-Valedictorian for the Oakcrest graduating class of 2012.  She is also a recipient of the prestigious Veritas Award, a merit-based, $7,500 tuition remission per year for four years at Oakcrest School.

With a career batting average of .718, Gadiano has played shortstop on the Oakcrest Varsity Softball team for seven years, since she was in sixth grade.  Gadiano’s athletic achievements and titles include 2011 PVAC Player of the Year, 2011 Oakcrest Athlete of the Year, PVAC First Team All Conference for the past three years, Varsity Letter Recipient (Starting Middle Infielder) and MVP Award.  Gadiano was a member of the 2009 and 2011 PVAC Conference and Tournament Champions teams (Oakcrest Varsity Softball).  Just this Tuesday, Gadiano hit a grand slam for Oakcrest against Grace Bretheren.  A talented swimmer, Gadiano has been on the Oakcrest Varsity Swim Team since eighth grade.

In addition to playing Varsity sports at Oakcrest since 2005, Alex also plays for the National Shamrocks Team, an elite national team based in Northern Virginia.  With the Shamrocks, Gadiano has played in tournaments around the country, including CA, NC, CO and FL.

Gadiano will wear #28 for Colgate, playing the position of outfielder/ middle infielder.  As a superior athlete and the co-Valedictorian of Oakcrest’s graduating class of 2012, Gadiano is well-suited for Colgate, which has been recognized as having the highest athlete GPA in Division One. In addition to being the co-Valedictorian and a Veritas Award recipient, Gadiano’s impressive scholarship career includes the following distinctions: AP Scholar with Honor Award, National Spanish Honor Society National Spanish Exam Silver Medalist (2009 & 2010) and National Spanish Exam Honorable Mention (2011), National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society.  Gadiano has attended Oakcrest since the 6th grade and plans to double major in Chemistry/Bio-Chemistry and Spanish while at Colgate University.

Oakcrest School is an independent school for girls grades 6-12 guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church.

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Filed under Academics, Alumnae, AP, Athletics, College Counseling, Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, SATs, Student Life

Upper School Father-Daughter Dance

The Upper School Father-Daughter Dance was held on Friday, March 9 at Westwood Country Club.  A tradition at Oakcrest, the Father-Daughter Dance is a special time for students to spend time with their dads and each other in an elegant setting.  It was a truly memorable evening!

A special thank you to Oakcrest fathers Attila Freska and Mark Weber for organizing the dance!

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Filed under Parent Partnership, School Traditions, Special Events, Student Life

Sixth Grade Constellations: To Infinity…and Beyond!

Contributed by Ms. Heather Lecuyer

The sixth grade just finished a unit on space, in which they learned about the planets in our solar system and the stars and galaxies around the universe!  The unit culminated in a project on the constellations, including research into the mythology of 22 different constellations.  The sixth grade students built shoebox planetariums to share what their constellations look like in the night sky.  “To infinity…and BEYOND!”

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