In a historic moment, the Kingfisher volleyball team won its first game of the season in a double-header September 18 at home!  The girls lost the first game but several of the sets were close.  “We started winning when we started playing as a team,” observed Sarah, senior captain.  Fans were thrilled at the victory in the second game, an important milestone for our school.  Several of our younger players like Avery Rose and Tiyon put in a super performance while experienced players like  Lizzy and Savanna were very consistent.  The team celebrated at Tony’s  Famous Pizza after this long, hard and very fun day.

The Georgetown School Kingfishers faced off against the Cathedral Academy Generals in west Charleston on September 2.  In an amazing first-time contest against last year’s SCISA state champions, the Kingfishers gave them a run for their money.  “I can’t believe how well we all played together!” said Isabella, who helped stop the Generals with her awesome serve.  Coach Gates and the team expressed their admiration for the new members of the team, who stepped right up (Bronwen also has an awesome serve!)  Stay tuned — although the Kingfishers did not prevail against Cathedral, they are playing Coastal Christian of Mount Pleasant on September 4.  All in all, a great first serve!

Fall sports conditioning began on the traditional date of August 1, with volleyball and soccer players meeting Dr. Gates at East Bay Park for stretches, sprints and strength/agility training.  The kids report that it has been hot down there, but not as hot as last year.  We hope that even more kids will come out for conditioning next week–participating in sports is the best way to build friendships and school spirit!  The conditioning always ends with a short soccer scrimmage, so put on your running shoes and get down to East Bay Park on Monday and Tuesday (August 17-18) for some fun and fitness from 5:00-6:30.  On Wednesday, the volleyball and soccer teams will begin regular practice right after school every day.

Something old, something new…something for everyone!  Families, friends and faculty of TGS gathered on the patio at Hog Heaven to enjoy the music of local musician John Lammonds and to welcome several new families and two of our Board members.  The evening was cool, damp and pleasant and the buffet was as delicious as ever!  Thanks go to Greg Eaddy, owner of Hog Heaven, and to his wonderful staff for making our evening together relaxing and fun.  Thanks also to our PTO and its new president, Lisa Haas, for arranging and running the event and to John Lammonds for sharing his awesome talent.

Tuesday evening August 29 was the opening of the All-County Youth Art Show, an annual event sponsored by the Cultural Council of Georgetown. The Georgetown School was very well represented.

R. Scott Jacob, executive director of the Cultural Council, welcomed members, guests, parents and students to a lovely reception at 637 Front Street. He awarded five scholarships providing funds for private study. Three went to art students from The Georgetown School: Sara Green, Ryleigh Neubauer, and our new student, Avery Rose Higgins.

Sara won one of the top scholarship prizes and also received purchase offers for one of her pieces. Ryleigh, a rising seventh grader, received a scholarship and kudos for her talent and hard work. Avery Rose won a scholarship and a monetary award. Scott complimented all the students and said that the judge, Ruth Cox, was extremely impressed with the outstanding quality of the students’ pieces.

Students of The Georgetown School who also showed art work included: Sara Cyr, Langston Rockhill and Isabella Neubauer.

The Georgetown School would like to thank art teacher Kathy Patrick for her fine work inspiring all of these young artists. Thanks also go to all who came out to support our students and for the wonderful opening reception by the Cultural Council of Georgetown!

How can a student relax and celebrate the end of the fantastic first year of The Georgetown School?  On Friday May 23, students and faculty drove out to Black River for an afternoon and evening of fun on the water at the lovely waterfront home of Mrs. Lane Crosby.  After a brief period of awe and exploration, the excited students jumped into various water sports: swimming, sliding, kayaking, wake-boarding, knee-boarding.  Some people were content to relax in rocking chairs on the beautiful gazebo.  Others spent hours on the boat with Dr. Tom Crosby going up and down Black River.  Still others swam around the dock and slid down the slide.  Everyone made a Kingfisher tie-dye tee shirt.

By the time 6:00 rolled around, Mr. Razzi and Drew Crosby had the grills going on the deck, preparing hot dogs and hamburgers for the hungry and wet kids.  When 7:00 came, everyone thanked the Crosby’s and packed back into the cars, tired and happy.  It was a great day and we appreciate the generosity and hospitality of the Crosby family so much.

Family, friends and faculty gathered Friday evening of May 30 in the Es’Dorn Room to honor the first two graduates of The Georgetown School, Chris Elliott and Chandler Lee.  Mrs. Joyce Gates, president of the Board of Directors, welcomed everyone and gave the floor to our salutatorian and our valedictorian.

Chandler addressed his fellow students with kind and humorous words, telling them, “You have given me many memories I will hold onto for the rest of my life.”  He then gave advice to the Committee of Stuff, Coding Class, the soccer team, Spanish Class, the Middle School, math classes and the rising seniors.  Chandler said in closing, “I wish I were with you longer.”

Chris spoke of his decision to transfer to TGS in his final year of high school.  Some people told him, “Wow, that’s risky,” and “It’s crazy to switch in your senior year.”  But he knew the new school (which was no more than an idea at the time) was the place he wanted to be.  He expressed pride in everyone and in the progress that his fellow students made this year.  Chris closed with heartfelt thanks to his teachers, saying, “I’ve spent countless hours with you and learned so much from all of you.”

Dr. Gary Gates addressed the assembly on the subject of our school’s motto: Non nobis solum nati sumus (Cicero).  It means “we are not born for ourselves alone.” He quoted Pericles: “We do only kindness to others, not because we stop to calculate whether this will be to our advantage, but in the spirit of liberality, which motivates us.”  This kindness is related to the ideal of service and the true definition of a gentleman.  Dr. Gates said that Chris and Chandler conducted themselves in a very gentlemanly way this year: “You were out in the heat of August, before we had even secured a school building, making sure we’d have a soccer team…And when we got students, you made sure they became a student body—trucking them around, setting up movie nights, ginning up school spirit from thin air.”  These selfless acts bind Chris and Chandler strongly to our community.

Mrs. Joyce Gates and Dr. Gates handed Chris and Chandler their diplomas together, then there was thunderous applause and great joy.

Rags Coxe, deacon of Prince George, Winyah, closed the ceremony with a prayer for the school and the graduates, then the music came up.  They were congratulated by family and friends at a lovely reception in the hall, the perfect and relaxing end to a banner day at The Georgetown School.

Thank you for coming out, family, friends and supporters.  This year would not have been possible without you.  Thank you, P.T.O., for putting on the reception, and thank you, Mr. Coxe, for blessing our assembly with beautiful and considered prayers.