The winter 2010 issue of Ties is in the mail so keep an eye out for it! This issue focuses on Literature across the curriculum at CWA. Senior Rachel Williams wrote the cover story about her experience with the Junior Research Project. Headmaster Rob Camner shares his thoughts on one of his favorite novels. English Department Chair Creighton King, Lower School Librarian Deborah Baldwin, Middle School Librarian Sam Harris and Spanish Teacher Dana Flaskerud all share their perspectives on literature at CWA as well. On the Bridge, alums Rhett Mayfield ’94 and Emily Rome ’08 discuss how CWA influenced them to become writers. Filling out the issue, Athletic Director Bill White explains how three different rule books govern our sports programs, there’s a full report on Homecoming and the 2010 Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame inductions, and of course there are lots of Class Notes. Of special note: on page 11 you’ll find a really adorable photo of our very first third generation Tarrier! Beginning Schooler Mackenzie Will is the daughter of Trevor Will ’93 and the granddaughter of Jaime Will ’65. What a great family tradition!

Seven more members of CWA’s Class of 2011 have been honored by the National Merit Scholarship program for their performance on the PSAT last year.  These students all scored in the top five percent of test takers.  With two additional students honored last week as National Merit Semifinalists, a total of 13% of the senior class scored in the nation’s top five percent on that exam. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week we blogged about CWA alums playing college women’s soccer.  We thought you’d like to know that Jorde LaFontaine-Kussmann ’07 got her third win as goalkeeper for the University of Washington against St. Mary’s.  We’re inclined to think the Gales might have done a little better against the Husky’s if they’d put Natalie Powell ’10 in the game as their keeper, but we’re a little biased.  LaFontaine-Kussmann played all 90 minutes of the non-conference match up and had five saves.  The Husky’s have a Q&A with her here on their sports blog.

Despite all the hype (mostly here on this blog), women’s soccer isn’t the only sport where CWA alums are making a mark at the college level.  Four members of the class of 2009 are playing college football.  Here’s a brief update on their success: Read the rest of this entry »

Two CWA alums will face off this Friday when the women’s soccer team from the University of Washington travels to California to face Saint Mary’s.  Jorde LaFontaine-Kussmann ’07 and Natalie Powell ’10, who played together at CWA in the fall of 2006 when LaFontaine-Kussmann was a senior and Powell are freshmen, are now goalkeepers for these two NCAA Division I teams. Read the rest of this entry »

Update February 7, 2011: Both Nick Kohnen and Kate Pan have just been selected as finalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Update September 30, 2010: Click here to read about CWA’s National Merit Commended Students.

CWA seniors Nick Kohnen and Kate Pan have been selected as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program, based on their outstanding performance on the PSAT exam last fall.  Kohnen and Pan are among 16,000 students nation-wide and 22 locally who scored in the top one percent of college bound students taking the test.  Eight other CWA students scored in the top five percent and their names will be announced later this week. Read the rest of this entry »

The state and national SAT results for the Class of 2010 came out this morning.  As expected, CWA students did extremely well on the exam last year.  Their mean scores were well above the state and national averages, including the mean for Washington independent schools, in all three testing areas.  The College Board has administered the test since 1972 and it is used as the entrance exam for most American colleges and universities. Read the rest of this entry »

The News Tribune published its fall preps football preview today and the sports reporters had some nice things to say about CWA’s football program. Take a look at this article before heading out to the first game of the season tomorrow night. CWA faces Tacoma Baptist at home on Friday, September 3, at 7pm. Read the rest of this entry »

In the fall 2010 back-to-school issue, Ties takes a good look at CWA’s math program.  CWA has one of the most successful college prep math programs in the country.  By fourth and fifth grade, it’s typical for 95 percent of our students to earn scores in the top half of national norms on standardized math tests.  Students build on that foundation through Middle and Upper School where we offer 12 different math courses across five grade levels.  By graduation, half our students take Advanced Placement calculus and it’s quite common for 100% of them to pass.  Our students’ SAT math scores are also well above local, state and national averages.  These result are astounding, unless you know our faculty. Read the rest of this entry »

As a faculty team leader, teacher and coach, Christopher Hoppin serves as a remarkable role model for our teenage Tarriers at a time when they are learning much about themselves and looking to answer the quintessential question, “How do I fit in?” This exploration is a challenging process for most middle school students and Christopher patiently guides them with great humor and care.  He knows these students well and, through his optimism, creativity, kindness and high expectations, he elicits the best in them, unveiling characteristics they were often too shy or fearful to show.  He helps make middle school a wonderful time in students’ lives by seamlessly encouraging both their creativity and their self-discovery.   Read the rest of this entry »

Chris Steele was a 1982 graduate of Charles Wright.  As a student, he threw himself at what Charles Wright offered. He played soccer, took an active part in Donn Laughlin’s drama productions, both backstage and onstage, and was a talented art student. His particular love was the outdoors, and those who went on trips with Chris recall his passionate enthusiasm for hiking and climbing. Chris died of cancer in 2002 after a long struggle. His family and friends have established an award in his memory, an award to honor a Charles Wright staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to the school and its students and faculty. Read the rest of this entry »