On To Nationals: The National History Day Competition
Posted by Debbie Leidlein
In the fall, five students committed to compete in the History Day Competition. This is an extensive research project which requires students to choose a topic based on a theme, research their topic and create a website, documentary or exhibit, or to write a paper or write and act in a performance demonstrating what they have learned. The students met twice a week with Mrs. Leidlein and attended two in-school workshops, along with countless hours spent on their own, researching and preparing. In March, these five students, seventh graders Daniel, Brooke, Samantha and Sneha, along with sixth grader Kelly, participated in the local competition. Brooke, Sneha and Samantha all finished in the top three in their category, qualifying them to advance to the state competition. In April, they competed at Central Connecticut State University, where Sneha took second place for her website regarding the fall of the Berlin Wall and Samantha placed first for her performance about Audrey Faye Hendricks and the Children’s March of 1963. This qualified Samantha and Sneha to travel to the University of Maryland in June to compete at the national level. We wish them the best of luck and can’t wait to hear the results. Friends and family can log on to www.nhd.org to access the live webcast on June 15th between 8:30 AM and noon.
Leading the Pack
Posted by Sarah Pollex
Half way through the spring season, Unquowa’s runners have already exceeded expectations. With its roster of 17 athletes, the cross country team has made an impact both individually and as a team. Dominating the courses at Wooster School, Waveny Park and Merwin Meadows, Unquowa is the team to beat in grades 6 and 7 with Kelly, Ben and Brooke all in the top 5. Most notably, our runners are consistently earning best times at each meet and having fun. Go Gators!
Taking A Stand: The 2017 History Day Contest
Posted by Debbie Leidlein
Five students recently competed in the local, Fairfield County, CT History Day Competition, at Sacred Heart University. This year’s theme, Taking A Stand, encouraged students to look at individuals and groups throughout history who have made a difference by taking a stand. Seventh graders Sneha and Daniel produced websites regarding the Fall of the Berlin Wall and Maximilien Robespierre respectively. Seventh grader Samantha wrote and performed a one-woman skit, playing the part of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a participant in the Children’s March in Birmingham Alabama in the 1960s. Audrey was just 9 years old when she was arrested and jailed, with thousands of other children, as they protested the treatment of blacks in the South. Seventh grader, Brooke, and sixth grader, Kelly, both created a documentary. Brooke researched Malala, a young Pakistani girl who fought for equal education for girls in Taliban controlled Pakistan. Malala was shot three times in an effort to silence her, however, she survived and her story became a national one. Kelly focused on Martin Luther King and his fight for Civil Rights in the South. In the end, Sneha and Samantha earned first place and Brooke placed third in each of their categories. All three will go on to compete at the state level at the end of April at Southern Connecticut State University.
Cross Country Kicks It Out!
Posted by Sarah Pollex
The cross country team had an outstanding finish to the fall season. We have significantly improved as individuals and as a team. Each runner achieved their goal and clocked a personal record. In fact, nearly all runners achieved best times at every meet! Overall, Ben placed 5th and Kelly placed 4th among grade six boys and girls, respectively. At the championship meet last Thursday at Waveny Park in New Canaan, Kelly won the 1.2 mile race against grade 6 girls. Congratulations Kelly and the entire team. Go Unquowa!
Cross Country Mid-Season Update
Posted by Sarah Pollex
The cross country team has been busy! We raced at Ridgefield Academy where Kelly placed 4th among grade 6 girls, Penfield Beach where each of our grade 7 and 8 runners earned their personal best, and Merwin Meadows where Kelly placed 2nd among grade 6 girls. Last week we returned to Sherwood Island. We enjoy repeating courses during the season because it gives us the opportunity to improve our best times–and we did! The team took a total of 12:00 off their best times! Also at this meet, Kelly placed 4th and Ben placed 3rd among grade 6 girls and boys, respectively. The team is now enjoying their taper for the championship meet at Waveny Park on November 3rd. Go Gators!
Girls White Soccer Update
Posted by Eric Werner
Unquowa vs Greenwich Catholic (2-3)
The Girls White Soccer team traveled to Greenwich on October 19th to take the field against Greenwich Catholic for a game which featured five new additions to our team. Unquowa dominated the first half of the game through a combination of skill, urgency and strong counter-attacking with a goal from Ella as the only difference maker in the half. Unquowa took their foot off the gas pedal in the second half, opening up the game for Greenwich Catholic to score three goals in quick succession in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Seeking a way back into the game, Unquowa pressed harder and harder up the field, with Sophia finally breaking through again with three minutes remaining in the game. The game ended with a heart-breaking series of shots off the post and crosses in front of the net that weren’t turned in, and in the end the girls walked off the field with a 2-3 loss. Notable performances in the game were Ella’s strong attacking, Sophia’s hard work in the midfield, and strong debuts from Samantha, CeCe, Crystal, Elizabeth, and Lexi. We’ll get ’em next time!
St. Luke’s vs Unquowa (4-4)
Those present at the Girls White Soccer game against St. Luke’s on 10/24 witnessed a real treat. Two perfectly even-matched teams with talent to spare fought a physically and mentally demanding eight-goal game which ended in a much deserved draw. With some of our best players man-marked, Unquowa needed solid performances out of every position, and that is exactly what we got. Our girls showed grit, composure, and tons of character, coming from behind to eventually tie the game in its dying moments. Notable performances included Ella’s attacking, Sophia’s outstanding substitute goalkeeping, and Raphael’s best game to-date on defense.