Durham Academy: DA Multiple Stories News & Notes

Durham Academy News & Notes/May 21, 2015

Middle School celebrates new garden,

remembers Gail Walker, Charlie Piekaar

A dozen years ago, a maple sapling was planted outside the Middle School office in memory of legendary teacher Gail Walker. In the years since, the tree has grown strong, towering over the adjacent buildings — but not quite matched in its beauty by the ho-hum carpet of grass that surrounded it. On Tuesday, the entire Middle School community gathered to celebrate the rectification of that incongruity — the opening of the campus's second garden — and to re-dedicate the tree to Walker and plant a nearby dogwood in memory of former maintenance foreman Charlie Piekaar. Read More

Junior Christopher Camitta plays

the grandest stage: Carnegie Hall

From the time that Durham Academy junior Christopher Camitta was a young boy, his grandfather was fond of reciting the old joke about one of the world's most prestigious concert venues: "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice." Camitta took it as a joke, but the young pianist did practice — and practice — and practice. And on Sunday, he found his way to New York City's 881 Seventh Avenue, strode out on the stage of Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall and performed Chopin's Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor. Read More

Excitement of fourth-grade play

rivals a Broadway opening

The fourth-grade play has been a DA tradition for more than 30 years, and the 2015 version didn’t disappoint. The Magic Fairy Tale Book, a clever mash-up of storybook characters from Snow White to Elsa, took the stage Tuesday and Wednesday in Brumley Performing Arts Building. The story was created by fourth-grader Seldy Schiff, and the script was written and adapted by Lower School drama teacher Elizabeth South and DA fourth-graders. Read More

Seniors honored for excellence in

academics, arts, athletics, service

Twenty-nine members of Durham Academy's Class of 2015 were honored for success in all facets of campus life, including academics, arts, athletics and service at the senior awards assembly on Thursday. Read More

Middle School awards celebrate

academics, athletics, Cav spirit

The Durham Academy Middle School faculty recognized excellence in academics, athletics and character on Thursday at the school's eighth-grade awards ceremony.

Middle School Director Jon Meredith urged the fifth- through seventh-graders to pay special attention to the attributes that were lauded at the ceremony — from politeness and care for others to academic excellence — and try to emulate them in their own lives. Read More

Senior Projects give graduates

a chance to explore possibilities

Each year, Durham Academy's graduating class of seniors is challenged with a question ripe with possibility: "What would you do if your employer told you to take seven days off from work and explore any area of interest through shadowing, interning or volunteering in your local community?" After exams but before donning their caps and gowns, the seniors set out about the Triangle to answer that question.
Read More

Cavs shine as competition

wraps up for school year

Durham Academy's spring 2015 athletics season came to a close over the weekend with a heavy dose of emotion — from the thrill of competing for the girls lacrosse state championship to a stirring goodbye to retiring cross country and track and field coach Dennis Cullen. Read More

#DAClassof2015 set to graduate

The 101 members of the Class of 2015 will become Durham Academy graduates on Friday at DA's 41st commencement excercises, set to begin at 5 p.m. at Memorial Hall.

Follow the DA communication team's #DAClassof2015 coverage and join the fun via social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Lacrosse coach Jon Lantzy tapped

for U-19 selection committee

For the second time in his career, Durham Academy varsity boys lacrosse coach Jon Lantzy has been chosen to serve on the Under-19 national men's lacrosse team selection committee. Along with the nine other members of the selection committee, Lantzy will help select the 23 members of the U.S. U-19 team that will compete for an eighth world championship in Canada in July 2016. Read More

Preschool, Lower School help fill

Urban Ministries' empty shelves

When the Lower School's Student Service Club donated fleece blankets they had made to Urban Ministries of Durham, the third- and fourth-graders toured the center and noticed a lot of empty shelves in the food pantry. They learned that the pantry serves people who don't have money to buy food, and they wanted to help fill the shelves.

To enlist first- through fourth-graders in their mission to help others, the Service Club gave every Lower School student a plastic bracelet marked with the words “Pay it forward.” Read More

32 Middle Schoolers recognized

in National French Contest

Thirty-two Durham Academy Middle School students placed nationally in Le Grand Concours (the National French Contest), an exam-based competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. Read More

Annual DA golf tournament

raises more than $21,000

It was a picture-postcard afternoon on May 7 when Durham Academy hosted its 15th Annual Golf Tournament. With a record turnout of 68 players at Croasdaile Country Club, more than $21,000 was raised for Durham Academy. Read More

Follett textbook buyback and

rental return set for June 2 to 3

Durham Academy is once again offering the opportunity to sell back new and used textbooks and to return rental textbooks to Follett. Book buyback/return dates are Tuesday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday, June 3, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., both in the lobby of Kenan Auditorium on the Upper School campus. Read More

DA in the News

American Heart Association Blog:
Former DA student Lauren Lindberg raises $60,500 for Jump Rope for Heart in memory of grandfather

News & Observer:
Jackson Dellinger among 12 to earn Angier B. Duke Memorial Scholarship

GeneralsSports.com:
Alumnus Cam Lewis '11 is named to Old Dominion Athletic Conference all-conference lacrosse team — and to USILA Scholar All-America Team

This Week's Events