A Message from President Armbrister
March-April 2013
Greetings to the entire Girard College Community!
As winter comes to a close, our thoughts begin to turn to the new beginnings that are indicative of spring. However, before we turn the page on winter, I would like to share with you the sense of optimism and renewal – natural feelings that accompany the arrival of spring – that we all feel when we reflect on the accomplishments of our students. I am happy to report to the Girard College community that our students have made us especially proud in a variety of ways over the last few months. Here are a few examples:
TRACK:
Senior Khiry T. finished second in the state long jump competition! This state championship involves 245 schools – private, Catholic and public – regardless of size. In February, Khiry leapt 22'8.5" to finish second in the field of nineteen! His second place leap is the third longest in Girard College history behind record holder Diamond Woolford (State Champion 1999) 23'11.75 and Marc Elie 22'9", also in 1999. Khiry will go to the Penn Relays High School Invitational Long Jump. He will be in a field of the top thirty (30) long jumpers from the United States and the Caribbean.
MUSIC:
Director Paul Eaton and the Junior Cavalier choir performed at the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) convention in Philadelphia March 1. Singing in front of a very large crowd of educators from all over the U.S., our young singers received a standing ovation. The NAIS coordinator sent these comments about our students to Mr. Eaton: “From beginning to end, they were professional, poised and nothing short of outstanding.” In short, they “rocked!” (… my words, not the NAIS coordinator’s!)
BASKETBALL:
The boys and girls squads had excellent seasons. Both squads made it to Districts, and the girls won the District 1 Championship. Moving into state competition, our Lady Cavaliers moved as far as the sweet-sixteen level before falling to Lourdes Regional 57-42 on March 13. Our players represented Girard well, and fan support was much appreciated. In fact, the girls team appearance in Reading, Pennsylvania brought out a 97-year-old, class of 1934 Hummer, who lived in the area and came out to support the Lady Cavaliers. How special is that?!
MOCK TRIAL:
In only its second year of competition, the Girard College Mock Trial team 1 made it to the City Finals. As a new team last year, they won the developmental league. They proved that the excellence they exhibited last year was no fluke. In competing at the highest levels in the regular league, they won repeatedly, earning entry into the City finals last week with determination and poise! As one example of their grit, the team had to win twice (in quarter-finals and semi-finals) in one evening to move forward to the finals, and they did just that! Defeated only at the very end by Central High School, our young team stands proud as the runner-up in the City-wide Mock Trial competition in 2012-2013.
I hope you welcome spring with the sense of optimism and renewal that the students continuously exhibit in their activities and accomplishments.
Keep checking the website for current news. I look forward to seeing you at the Gala April 5 and at Founder’s Day May 18.
Hail Girard!
Clarence D. Armbrister
