News From the Academy 

Strathmore Entrance Construction Begins

In 2004, during the Arts and Science Wing and Theater construction, an entrance on Strathmore Avenue to The Academy of the Holy Cross was designed by DVA, Inc. After undergoing several changes throughout the permitting process, the final design has been approved and construction on the long anticipated entrance began this week. Hitt Construction, Inc. is working diligently on AHC’s new entrance. Utilizing masonry and wrought iron, the entrance will include formal signage, fencing, and gates, as well as lighting upgrades along the driveway. The project will be ongoing throughout the summer but minimal disruption to traffic is expected. As the construction moves forward, the Academy will issue periodic updates to keep the community informed of the project’s progress.
 

A Year with Frog and Toad, a musical based on the classic children’s books by Arnold Lobel, was performed at The Academy of the Holy Cross from Friday, March 14, through Sunday, March 16. This story of two amphibious friends, directed by Linda Ruszkowski, featured 36 Holy Cross students in various roles. Because this unique musical by Robert and Willie Reale is one of few Broadway productions aimed at children, AHC held a special Friday morning performance for area elementary schools. The students enjoyed the 18 upbeat songs and energetic dancing by Frog, Toad, and their assorted woodland friends. Other AHC students participated in the production behind the scenes, assisting technical director Chris W. M. Kelly, music director Mayumi Baker, or performing other essential duties to ensure the success of the production.
 

Math can be fun! In preparation for the Academy’s annual Pi Day celebration (3.14 – March 14), students took time to learn a little about the “irrational number” and participate in math contests. The creative and unique projects included designing advertisements, taking various mathematical measurements, constructing tessellations, creating Mini-Page-style publications, performing statistical analysis on the accuracy of manufacturers’ claims and researching significant leaders (female and male) in the mathematics industry. Students were awarded prizes for their projects at a special Pi Day assembly on Friday, March 14. Students from the Advanced Placement BC Calculus classes organized the assembly and presented certificates and Starbucks cards to the award winners.

 

On March 8, 2008, the ballrooms of the Bethesda North Marriott were transformed into a tribute to the 140 years of AHC education. The Anniversary Salute Benefit Dinner and Auction was host to over 300 parents, alumnae, faculty, staff and friends of the Academy who enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing and both a live and silent auction. Early in the evening, the guests were able to socialize as they browsed and bid on silent auction items such as dining and entertainment, trips, jewelry, sports tickets, and home accessories. The live auction followed dinner and the evening concluded with dancing to live music from C.P.R. All proceeds of the Anniversary Salute benefit tuition assistance and student programs at the Academy..