VOLUME VIII, ISSUE 4 May/June 2017 HOPKINS WEST JUNIOR HIGH EXPONENT A NEWSLETTER OF THE GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM

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1 VOLUME VIII, ISSUE 4 May/June 2017 HOPKINS WEST JUNIOR HIGH EXPONENT A NEWSLETTER OF THE GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM Is a parabola a curve? Is it a compilation of straight lines? Is it both? Is it art? Is it math? Is it both? Look at these student-made examples and ask your 7th grader to explain them and find some parabolas in nature and architecture.

2 7th Grade Highlights Henry Scheible (above) presents his project on Collision Physics and Coding. Bergen Huseth takes Global Warming seriously. Above, he educates visiting high school and college students on his findings and predictions. If you re interesting in training your cat to walk on a leash, Edna Ahmed (above) is your go to gal. Jessica Kurus (L) and Becca Sweeney (R) film their final project on common fairy tale themes. Annalise Frodermann (left) greets a visitor interested in her Gymnastic Related Injuries project. Sam Gausmann reveals his moneymaking secrets.

3 8th Grade Highlights Palooza Night always draws a great number of family members who support student accomplishments. Meghan O Reilly s grandfather is one of these proud supporters! Adisa Preston (L) with Barack Obama (center) and attendees of ALM s Palooza Night. Above, Claire Hering exudes the joy that comes from developing the perfect essential oil. At right, Brett Eliason educates a couple of young Palooza-goers on the mechanics of a cannon. Before summer really sets in... As your 8th grader to recite you a poem. They memorized one for class. (Their poem of choice is on Infinite Campus.) Students try their hands at origami under the able direction of Emerson Van Wiele Nolan.

4 9th Grade Highlights Jenna Ashford reveals the joys of animation to a young Palooza Night attendee. (L to R) Cameron Byers and Charlie McNeil, enjoy VIP seating at the Student/Teacher basketball game. Matthew Kovelan jazzes up his ALM project with dramatic aplomb. Gray Kruse demonstrates Tarot cards to a curious audience. Front row (L to R) Jenna Ashford, Sophie Norman, Zach Greenwald, Delanna Do, Susanna Fish, Lucas Taitano, Conrad Gausmann. Back row: Cameron Byers, Evan Komschlies, Charlie McNeil, Gabe Gauderman, Mrs. Johnson, Holly Den Hartog, Molly Patridge, Taree Jo McCabe, Charlie Acomb, Gray Kruse.

5 Quiz Bowl and Knowledge Masters Congratulations are in order! With only eight participants, West s 7th Grade Quiz Bowl team came in 37th place out of 62 teams in the Lakes Conference. And our six member Varsity team ranked 31 out of 107 teams. Knowledge Masters took 3rd nationally among junior highs. All teams rose to the occasion, represented Hopkins well, AND had a lot of fun in the process. Back Row: Kade Arms-Regenold Edna Ahmed Amaya Blanchard Not pictured are Annika Burman and Kendal Isackson. 7th Grade Team Front Row: Charlie Wagner Trevor Olson Varsity Team Front Row: Dominic Valentini, Molly Enzler. Back Row: Rose McIntyre, Stuart Fish. Not pictured are Sonja Milkovich and Sylvia Greenwood. Fall Knowledge Masters Team These Mensa wanna-bes are reveling in their recent victory over some West teachers. (L to R) Solomon Midwinter, Henry Scheible, Ezana Tedla, and Adam Rothman. Not pictured is Holly Den Hartog. This team leaves for the Chicago tournament on June 9th.

6 Thank you to the ALM family and friends who supported the Palooza Bake Sale. You helped raise almost $600 for ALM classroom needs like tea supplies, towels for dishwashing tea cups, new books, and supporting the Junior National Academic Challenge trip to Chicago. These funds are so important to continuing the quality ALM programs here at West. Summer Reading Summer wouldn t be complete without the indulgence of a good book. In an effort to help students maximize their summer experience AND prepare them for next year s ALM classes, the following books have been distributed for summer reading. Assignments are on Moodle. ALM students who will be in 9th grade for the 2017/18 school year will read Mary Shelley s Frankenstein. Reading this classic prose leads the reader to consider, What makes us human? and How do good and evil coexist? Are we inherently one or the other? These weighty questions, and others, will be addressed in 9th grade ALM. First day back at school: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Exponent The Exponent is published by the Hopkins West Jr High Challenge Program for its communities. Principal Shirley Gregoire, Ed.D. Challenge Coordinator Regina Johnson Editor/Challenge Para Joyce Fiedler And if you re going into 8th grade, George Orwell s, Animal Farm is on the docket. Is it about animals? Is it about government? Or maybe something else entirely. Read it, consider your impressions, then be ready for a quiz on the first day back to school in the fall. joyce.fiedler@hopkinsschools.org Copyright 2012 Hopkins West Junior High School