This fall, The Gunnery Dance Club was started for those students who wanted a physical workout, but not on the fields or in the courts. Started by Lauren Castaldi '11, this fun group specializes in hip hop dance and is open to all with various levels of experience. "Lauren leads the class," said Erin Bingham, faculty advisor. "We have approximately 25 girls of all ages in this club, so response has been very good so far. It is a lot of fun."
Many have commented on Lauren's imitative and strong leadership skills, the driving forces behind the creation of this club. "For all the girls, signing up was just a quick signature on a piece of paper, but for Lauren establishing the club was not such an easy process," said Amanda Houli '11. "The suggestion of a dance club was made in the beginning of the year and slowly developed into a reality. It started out with being able to find enough people to sign up, then finding a place and time to practice." Lauren and her mother also donated practice mirrors and a dance floor for the Emerson Performing Arts Center. Currently, she plans on inviting her dance instructor to teach a master class. "It is really nice to see Lauren in a leadership role," said Erin. "The girls have so much fun with her and have learned a lot in the process."
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January 31
Application Due
February 10
Financial Aid
Application Due
March 10
Notification Date
April 10
Decision to Enroll
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 Under the tutelage of directors Tom Gruenewald and Chris Waldmann, an ambitious cast undertook the production of David Ives' All in the Timing, a series of six one act plays exploring language, communication, and, yes, comic timing. The segments, ranging in time from the ancient era of Babylon in the "Babel's in Arms" to the modern Manhattan cocktail party in "English Made Simple", each had a premise which enticed the imagination. "Mere Mortals" displayed three construction workers who believed they were famous historical personages as they ate their lunch fifty stories above the ground.
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 Gunnery Varsity Athletes received their varsity letters at the annual Athletic Banquet in November. For The Gunnery, this was normal hat, but for these students, it was a big deal since up until this past fall, letters weren't distributed to the athletes at the annual banquet. "I have always distributed varsity certificates to athletes," said Jon Russillo, Director of Athletics, "but we felt it was important to celebrate their achievements in a public forum."
"This is something that the school stopped doing for a while," said Kate Merritt, Director of Residential Life and Student Activities / Assistant Director of Athletics. "This gives the varsity athletes a sense of pride." Following this fall's banquet, athletes who already have a letter from the previous year will receive a sport-specific pin at November's banquet. "Our students earn their letters, and we are so proud of their work, sportsmanship, and dedication to the athletic program," said Jon. "For me, the varsity letter represents their sense of dedication to themselves and the team."
 The National Hockey League's Central Scouting Bureau recently identified The Gunnery's Alex Vazzano '10 and Michael Garlasco '09 as players to watch for the 2009 NHL Draft. Central Scouting graded Vazzano and Garlasco as C level prospects, a rating that denotes "a potential late round selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft."
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 Dorm residents continued the school dorm challenge in an extreme dorm makeover and a friendly game of volleyball. Before Halloween, the students had a chance to transform their living quarters into scare zones. The boarders delved into their creative imaginations during this challenge with Browne Dorm winning first place. Bourne came in second, and Emerson in third.
Shortly thereafter, a volleyball game which included students and faculty also doubled as a mini-fashion show. Each dorm coordinated their outfits with the following philosophy: the crazier the better. Some wore all black, others wore ties around their heads, and others wore bright colors with different leggings. One set of costumes looked painful: one boy's dorm wore spandex and hiked their shorts up excruciatingly high. It's any wonder they were able to walk, let alone play volleyball. Thirty points were given to Browne Dorm who once again came in first place. Gunn came in second with 20 points, and Butler, Gibson, and Memorial came in third with 10 points. The Gunnery Dorm Challenges will continue throughout the rest of the year.
The December dorm challenge, in keeping with the holiday season was devoted to giving back. A clothing drive brought much needed resources and materials to local shelters. More info to follow in the next edition of Highlander Highlights.
 If you want to spend your entire semester behind a desk taking lecture notes, don't come to faculty member, Marlena Rodriquez' Intro to Sociology class. Now that it is extended to a full year course offering, she promises a ten month experience that examines the historical, theoretical, and practical elements of sociology.
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 The One World Club is off to a compelling start this year with a Connecticut debut of a documentary on the plight of child survivors in northern Uganda. Boarding students gathered in November to listen to Matt, Jay, Rachel, and Johannes, four young people from all over the country, have left their jobs and schools to travel to New England schools and promote support for the Schools 4 Schools program. The students watched a documentary about the program, heard the presenters give their reasons for joining the program, and had an opportunity to purchase crafts from the area. The young people also gave programs at Newtown High School, the Taft School, and Branford High School.
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If you would prefer to receive Highlander Highlights at a different
email address, please email our Admissions Office with your name and new/preferred
email address: admissions@gunnery.org
Highlander Highlights is produced by the Admissions Office. Todd
Santa Maria is our editor. Please feel free to
email or call Todd at (860) 868-7334 if you have any questions
or comments about our newsletter.
The Gunnery · 99 Green Hill Road · Washington, CT 06793
(860) 868-7334 · admissions@gunnery.org
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