International Poet Opens the 2007-2008 Stone Ridge Visiting Writers Series

Bethesda, Maryland—The 2007-08 Stone Ridge Visiting Writers Series begins with Valzhyna Mort, a young poet and translator from Belarus, on Tuesday, December 4 in Good Hall from 2:00-3:00 p.m. This will not be a book-signing event.

Famed throughout Europe, Valzhyna's work has been translated into multiple languages and published in various literary magazines and anthologies, including an Anthology of Belarusian Poetry. Her first book, entitled Factory of Tears, forthcoming by Copper Canyon Press in 2008, is the first
bilingual Belarusian-English poetry book ever published in the United States. Her first collection of poetry released in 2005 is entitled I’m as Thin as Your Eyelashes.

Valzhyna, who now resides in the United States, was born in Minsk, Belarus in 1981. In 2006, she was a poet-in-residence at Literarisches Colloquium in Berlin, Germany. She was the recipient of the 2005 Gaude Polonia stipendium and the 2004 Crystal of Velenica Award in Slovenia. In addition to these honors, Valzhyna, who reads her poems aloud in both Belarusian and English, has won several poetry competitions in Belarus and is a noted speaker on The Politics of Language and the Poetry of Revolution. Please
visit www.blueflowerarts.com for more information about this exciting young poet.

"The idea for a Visiting Writers Series at Stone Ridge came out of my students' enthusiastic response to seeing authors 'on the road,' " according to Upper School English Teacher Diane Springer, former Chair of the English Department who initiated the program at Stone Ridge in 2005. "My students have traveled locally as a group with me or on their own to
see such authors as Michael Cunningham, Donald Hall, Ted Kooser, Jhumpa Lahiri, Paul Muldoon, Salman Rushdie, Wole Soyinka, and Donna Tartt. With such demonstrated interest, why not bring these writers to campus? I believe that the balance of traditional and contemporary authors, time-tested and innovative pedagogy keeps students engaged, but, above all, I believe in convincing them that by listening to their hearts they will find their own voices."

Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and Senior Editor of The Washington Post’s "Book World" was the first guest speaker in the series and will return to Stone Ridge as a "Writer-in-Residence" for the second semester senior classes. Other past participants in the Stone Ridge Visiting Writers Series include Maureen Corrigan and Linda Pastan, and Dana Gioia.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, was founded in 1923. It is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls [JK-Grade 12], coeducational [JK-K], located
in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit the school’s website or call
301-657-4322.

Stone Ridge Eighth Graders Fulfill Social Action Project on Maryland Farm

Bethesda, MD—On Friday, October 12, the Eighth Grade from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart will leave its Bethesda campus for an open-air classroom on a farm in Adamstown, MD. There they will participate from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on a project in support of Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD, an affiliate of the non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization Habitat International.

Federal regulations preclude students from taking part in an on-site Habitat project; volunteers at building sites must be at least 16 years of age. As such, Habitat for Humanity’s Frederick, Maryland chapter created an age-appropriate project for the sixty-four students. They will build and decorate birdhouses and tool boxes as gifts for Habitat-selected families. This project complements the mission of Stone Ridge and the Goals of a Sacred Heart education: personal and active faith in God, deep respect for intellectual values, social awareness which impels to action, building of community as a Christian value, and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

Habitat fulfills its mission through the support of its community partners, including individuals, churches, and businesses. Habitat for Humanity of Frederick volunteer Chuck Hawley initiated this project and Ann Niblock, a founding member of the Frederick chapter, is hosting the Class of 2012 on her Adamstown farm at 7130 Ira Sears Road.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Frederick, please visit www.frederickhabitat.org or contact Executive Director Dave Ozag at 301.698.2449.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, was founded in 1923. It is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls [JK-Grade 12], coeducational [JK-K], located in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit the school’s website or call 301.657.4322.

*** For information media—not an official record ***

Lower School Students to Receive "Flashes of Genius" Diplomas

Bethesda, MD—Third graders at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart head to the Embassy of Sweden, also known as the House of Sweden, for a "Flashes of Genius" workshop given by Anders Rosen on October 3 from 9:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

"Flashes of Genius," an innovative initiative for young children to stimulate creativity, self-confidence and problem solving, was created by Anders Rosen and launched in Western Sweden in the mid-nineties. It is now part of the Swedish school curriculum.

There are six phases in the Flashes of Genius program: Hands-on; Put Together; Discover; Figure Out; Construct; and Exhibit. According to a tutorial for teachers, these phases enable students to “get both an outlet for their creativity and a wealth of inventiveness, at the same time learning everything from presentation techniques, group collaboration, the English language, mathematics, technology and a lot more."

The children will work together in groups of 4-5 students to address a challenge and come up with an invention using materials provided to each group. At the end of the allotted time, the inventions will be tested. Afterwards, the children will evaluate the workshop. What happened? Did it work like you thought it would? Why? Why not? All thirty-three girls will receive diplomas stating that they are true "Flashes of Genius."

For more information about this program and other upcoming events, please visit the House of Sweden website or contact Brit-Marie Forlsund at 202.467.2671.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, was founded in 1923. It is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls [JK-Grade 12], coeducational [JK-K], located in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit the school’s website or call 301.657.4322.

*** For information media—not an official record ***

"Outstanding" Maryland Students Honored for Achievement and Talent

Bethesda, Maryland—The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) in Annapolis announced the achievement and talent results for its Distinguished Scholar Program, naming twenty Stone Ridge students in the Class of 2008.

Finalists in Achievement are Tegan Brennan, Kavita Goyal, and Colleen Shaffer. Semifinalists are Carolyn Henderson, Patricia Richey, and Sloane Taylor. Honorable Mentions are Meghan Ball, Elizabeth Brown, Stephanie Douglas, Lauren Earman, Sarah Omenitsch, Robyn Schwartzman, Lauren Stentz, Christina Stewart, Nida Vidutis, Laura Walsh, and Mary Yost.

Honorable Mentions in Talent are Meghan Ball (Visual Arts), Sasha Goldberg (Visual Arts), Haley Holden (Vocal Music), and Alyssa Rivera (Drama).

Finalists are offered an annual scholarship of $3,000 to attend a Maryland college or university. Semifinalists are placed on an alternates list and may be offered a scholarship not used by a finalist. Achievement honorable mention students have also been offered awards on occasion. The scholarship is renewable for three years and has a total value of $12,000. The MHEC also issues a certificate of achievement and/or talent to each "outstanding Maryland student" honored through this program.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, was founded in 1923. It is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls [JK-Grade 12], coeducational [JK-K], located in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit the school’s website or call 301.657.4322.

*** For information media—not an official record ***

For Release: IMMEDIATE
PR/ACAD/US/45
September 27, 2007

Stone Ridge Students Achieve National Hispanic Recognition

Bethesda, Maryland—The College Board released the names of Scholars and Honorable Mention Finalists in its National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP). Established in 1983, the program recognizes Hispanic high school students with exceptional academic achievement and identifies them for postsecondary institutions. Students must be at least one-quarter Hispanic in order to be eligible for the program.

At the same time that award certificates are distributed to high schools for student recognition in mid-September, the NHRP distributes a CD-ROM containing the students' names, contact information, and majors of interest to colleges and universities. The following Stone Ridge students are National Hispanic Scholars: Elizabeth Brown, Alina Chester, Mariel Rezende, Alexandra Rodriguez, and Christina Stewart. Victoria Willingham is an Honorable Mention Finalist in the program.

The College Board, best known for the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and Advanced Placement programs, is composed of more than 5,200 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. It is a not-for-profit association with a mission to connect students to college success and opportunity. Please visit www.collegeboard.com for further information.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, was founded in 1923. It is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls [JK-Grade 12], coeducational [JK-K], located in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit the school’s website or call 301.657.4322.

*** For information media—not an official record ***

The 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program Names Stone Ridge Semifinalists and Commended Students

NMSC publications list Semifinalists and key information needed in selection process

Bethesda, Maryland—Stone Ridge’s Fourth Academic students Tegan Brennan and Colleen Shaffer are among the nationwide Semifinalists named in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in Evanston, Illinois also announced the following Stone Ridge students among the Commended Students in its 2008 National Merit Program: Stephanie Douglas ’08, Kathryn Fitzgerald ’08, Kavita Goyal ’08, Emma Gross ’08, Carolyn Henderson ’08, Emily Herring ’08, Devon Mott ’08, Anne Musica ’08, Sarah Omenitsch ’08, Mariel Rezende ’08, Patricia Richey ’08, Christine Sanquist ’08, Erin Schwartz ’08, Robyn Schwartzman ’08, and Nida Vidutis ’08.

At the same time of the announcement, the NMSC released its Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program and a booklet listing the Semifinalists in its 2008 academic competition for scholarship and recognition.

The NMSC Guide is published as a reference tool for both principals and counselors responsible for compiling student information for the program. Details include steps and key dates in the competition, as well as requirements and important information needed for the selection process. This NMSC-prepared booklet listing Semifinalists is sent to schools, as well as U.S. colleges and universities in an effort to "enhance the educational opportunities of these academically talented" students. For more information, please visit NMSC’s website.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, was founded in 1923. It is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls [JK-Grade 12], coeducational [JK-K], located in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit the school’s website or call 301.657.4322.

*** For information media—not an official record ***

Stone Ridge Trustee David J. Bates Assumes Board Chairmanship

Bethesda, Maryland—David J. Bates was elected Chair of the Stone Ridge Board of Trustees at the Board’s Annual Meeting on June 3, 2007. He assumes the position from Patricia Aiken-O’Neill, Esq. ’62. A Trustee since 2000, Mr. Bates has served Stone Ridge as Board Vice Chair (2005-2007), Finance Committee Chair (2001-2007), and a member of the Head Search Committee (2005-2007). Mr. Bates, formerly with the World Bank, is involved in a number of startup companies and private investment initiatives, and serves on numerous for profit and non-profit boards.

A native of Australia, Mr. Bates earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from The George Washington University, as well as an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bates enjoyed a career with the World Bank Group, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), spanning 25 years. A specialist in project finance at the IFC for 12 years, Mr. Bates covered a broad range of industrial sectors in Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East until 1996. Prior to joining the IFC in 1984, he held various positions at the World Bank, focused primarily on agricultural policies, investment and rural poverty issues in Africa.

He and his wife, Carol, reside in Bethesda, Maryland and have four children.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, was founded in 1923. It is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls [JK-Grade 12], coeducational [JK-K], located in Bethesda, Maryland, adjacent to the National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit the school’s website or call 301.657.4322.

*** For information media—not an official record ***