Spirit Week is a tradition that is gaining traction with the energy and dedication of the Class of 2020.  Juniors decide on a dress-up theme for each day of the week and kids use their imagination and talent to come up with different outfits. 

Monday this year was Many people dressed up on Monday, which was Meme/Vine Day. We spotted the Wal-Mart Yodeling Kid (Cathryn) and Stop You Made Me Drop My Croissant (Margaret) but you had to be in the know to recognize most of the jokes.  Tuesday was Tacky Day.  From mismatched socks and shoes to old tee shirts to plaid shorts and shirts, Kingfishers really got into looking tacky.  There were even pink-flesh-colored patterned tights and a high pony-tail built on a cup.  Camper raided her grandmother’s closet for a colorful blouse while Ethan raided his dad’s dresser drawer for a wrinkly rayon Hawaiian shirt.  “I think it came from Wal-Mart,” he said.  Pajama Day is a perennial favorite and it fell on Wednesday this year.  Students headed to their morning classes dressed more colorfully than usual, scuffing along in their bedroom shoes, clutching teddy bears and coffee mugs.  Thursday’s theme (Dress Up for Valentine’s) caused some controversy.  Apparently, Kingfishers are ambivalent about the idea of wearing skirts and ties. But lots of people did dress up and lots more wore red or pink in honor of the day.  Jesse looked especially debonair in his vest, tie, and fedora. 

Spirit Day on Friday turned the school into an array of kids and teachers in blue, gray, and maroon tee-shirts with giant kingfishers on the back.  Thanks to the first years for organizing such a fun week.

The Georgetown Shakespeare Festival has delighted students, teachers, and theater-lovers for five years now.  Many years ago, Dr. Gates and Dr. Razzi together planned a field trip to Blackfriars Theater, in Staunton, Virginia, to see Shakespeare performed by the American Shakespeare Center.  Everyone had a great experience and the idea of inviting the American Shakespeare Center to Georgetown was born.

The American Shakespeare Center “does it with the lights on.”  That means that when they perform, stage and seating areas are both illuminated, exactly as in Shakespeare’s day.  The ASC makes a point of observing all of the theatrical conventions of Shakespeare’s day, including actors playing multiple roles in the same play, cross-gender casting, period special effects, no microphones or electronics, plus seating on the stage itself.  They also add in popular music just as Shakespeare did to change the mood or to support the themes of the play. “I loved how they made it relatable to their audience,” said Margaret.

The ASC truck pulled up to the side entrance of the Winyah Auditorium around 3:00 on Thursday, January 31.  Dr. Gates and some students were around to help them load in.  Musical instruments, pieces of the set, large rolling bags of costumes all made their way backstage, then the ASC set to work rehearsing and getting the feel of the Auditorium.

The ASC’s production of Antigone was a stunning performance that brought many members of the audience to tears.  With tragic deaths and heart-wrenching cries of grief, the production was flawless.  Students and teachers from four different schools arrived to watch the show.  Many of them had read the play in class and were eager to see it acted out by professional actors.  “Antigone isn’t my favorite play to read,” said Cathryn, “but they did such a great job with it.  I actually started crying near the end.”

After the play, students from TGS attended a workshop called “Moving through Antigone,” led by Maddie Calais and Constance Swain.  The workshop, which focused on physical movement and staging, proved very popular among the students.  They practiced walking at different styles and speeds, and learned how actors would have moved across the stage in Shakespeare’s time.  Even those who chose not to participate in the workshop enjoyed sitting in the audience and watching.

Saturday’s workshop began at 9:00 and a couple dozen students and faculty, plus some members of the press, had gathered at the foot of the stage.  In preparation for the night’s public performance of the Comedy of Errors, Annabelle Rollison, Topher Embrey, and Ron Roman-Melendez from the ASC were going to teach us how to be twins.  Using mirroring exercises and mimicry, students paired up with each other and began to work.  Different pairs of hats indicated the different pairs of twins.

Every year, Kingfishers look forward to the days when the actors of the ASC are in-house artists at TGS. Naomi, Ethan, and Grayson agreed, “It was lit!” We thank all our sponsors, parents, and supporters in the community for helping bring these wonderful and talented young thespians to Georgetown.

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Dr. Simmons’ U.S. history class recently took a trip to Prince Frederick’s Episcopal Chapel, better known to Georgetown residents as “Old Gunn Church.” The ruins of this church represent the final structure to serve as the Episcopal church on the site, with the first church having built in 1721. Over the years the church was a house of worship for historic personages such as South Carolina delegate to the Continental Congress Thomas Lynch, South Carolina governor Joseph Alston, and South Carolina governor R.F.W. Allston. A new church was built on the site in 1835, and a third structure began construction in 1859. However, construction was delayed when the Civil War began, and by 1864 the project was stopped altogether due to the war. It was finally finished in 1876, though it was only occasionally used by residents to hold services. Eventually the church fell into a state of disrepair and ruin, and after it burned the church was demolished in 1966, leaving just the bell tower and front wall.

Many people today know it as “Old Gunn Church” because supposedly the contractor for the project, a Mr. Gunn, fell to his death while working on the roof. Since that time the church has been recognized as one of the area’s most haunted landmarks, and the ghost of Mr. Gunn is said to be seen walking around the belfry late on moonlit nights; visitors to the site have reportedly heard ghostly choirs singing and seen ethereal figures moving around the graveyard.

While TGS students didn’t see any ghosts, they did enjoy taking a closer look at a part of the rich history of Georgetown County!

Our own Isabella was the overall winner in the Georgetown County Bar Association’s Inaugural Essay Contest. The theme of the 2018 competition was the Separation of Powers. “Isabella turned what started off as a paper for US History into a convincingly researched testament to the wisdom of our government,” said Dr. Gates. “It’s reassuring that at least some of our youth are developing a clear-headed understanding of how our legal system and our government work.” Isabella received a scholarship of $500 to continue her studies at Washington University in St. Louis.

On Wednesday, December 12, the entire school gathered around the Christmas tree. Decked out in their most festive gear, students eyed the presents under the tree and tried to figure out which one belonged to each of them. Sitting around the tree, lights shining brightly and everyone’s favorite Christmas songs playing, everyone was excited to see what came next. It was finally time for the annual Secret Santa ceremony. Two weeks before, students had drawn names out of a hat to see who they would buy presents for this year. Now they were eager to give and receive their presents. One by one, they stood up and handed out their gifts. Candy, chocolates, and festive socks were distributed all around, along with a few stranger gifts. “I always love opening up my present from Secret Santa,” Ethan said. “I never know what it’s going to be.”

By Ryleigh

Ms. Josie and Mme Gates took some of our musically-inclined students to Morningside to perform a short program of Christmas carols and a narrative of the Christmas story on December 10.  We were accompanied by Pat, Susan, and Pam on violin and viola.  This is our second year to participate in the program.  Afterwards, students greeted all the residents, who were happy to see us—especially the newest arrival: a tiny black puppy with a touch of white on his chest.  Our music had put him to sleep, but he woke up to get some cuddles afterwards.  Merry Christmas!

The Angry Nerds, our middle school Robotics Team, were excited to attend the annual S.C. FIRST LEGO League competition at Ten Oaks Middle School on November 8.  This year’s theme was “Into Orbit,” and students were challenged to find an innovative solution to one of the problems of space travel.  Students attended a talk by retired astronaut Don Thomas, who told them that one of the biggest issues is the bad food.  At present, astronauts cannot have crumbly food because the crumbs could float around and get in the machinery or be aspirated.  The Angry Nerds though the astronauts would appreciate a greater variety of dining choices. So they decided to design a self-cleaning food tray that would vacuum up crumbs.

The team also competed against 140 other participants in Robot Runs, Core Value projects, and a parade. “We got killed in Core Values,” admitted sponsor Mrs. Crosby.  Although they didn’t win any prizes, the students had a great time.  “I enjoyed everything,” said Annika, “but especially the time in between, when we were playing chess and cards.”  Thank you, Mrs. Crosby, for all your hard work and Angry Nerds parents for your wonderful support this year.

 

Latin II and III students gathered on November 30 for their traditional funeral games.  Attendees (Dr. Gates’ Geometry class) enjoyed a sacrifice, javelin throw, discus throw, foot races, and finally a boat race.  The British tribe of the Regnenses prevailed over the Cantiaci, who were left stranded on the rocks.  The games concluded with a feast of fruit, cinnamon buns, crackers, and grape juice.

 

Kingfishers gathered on the last day of school before Thanksgiving break to share our traditional meal and express our gratitude for family, fun, food, and friends.  The whole meal went very smoothly this year during an extended lunch period.  Seniors set up during fourth period and Mrs. Patrick brought festive vases of pyrocantha and greens to grace the long tables downstairs in the hall.  This year, fifth grade got to eat first because seniors chose to be first for dessert.  Everything was delicious, as always!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Kate emerged as the star of our Chess Team at the SCISA State Chess Meet this year.  Mr. Bonds (team sponsor along with Dr. Gates) took Jack, Naomi, Rebecca and Kate to the Sumter Civic Center on November 13 to compete with 140 other kids.  At the Civic Center, each participant played seven rounds of speed chess against different opponents.

“It was a good day,” said Mr. Bonds.  “I was satisfied with the level of personal fulfillment that each student walked out with.”

“The Chess Meet was great and very well organized,” said Naomi.  “Everyone was really nice playing and I made a friend named Raj.”  Naomi beat Raj pretty easily in the first round and they both had a good laugh.  Naomi went on to say that the team had fun and learned a lot from playing against people they didn’t know.  Apparently, the team picked up an exciting five-move checkmate strategy which some of them were able to use successfully in later rounds.  Jack agreed, “It was very fun!”

Kate won five of her seven rounds while the other Kingfishers each won two.  The whole team learned a lot from the experience even though they did not place.  We have high hopes for this young team.  Good job, Chess Team!