2012: The End of the World?

December 9, 2011

With the year 2011 coming to an end, some people have begun to wonder about the new year. Many are beginning to think about New Year’s resolutions. But, others might be planning for the end of the world.

The year 2012 is said to be the year the world ends because it marks the end of the Mayan calendar. Many have become obsessed with this doomsday theory. Songs and movies have been made based on this, our last year. In 2009, the film 2012 by Roland Emmerich was released into theaters. The movie portrays a man struggling to protect his family while the Earth declines to chaos in the face of rising flood waters. In 2010, the song “2012” by Jay Sean and featuring Nicki Minaj was released. Jay Sean urges people on to party “like it’s 2012.” Yeah, OK. Whatever that means.

The most recent prediction that the world would end came on May 21, 2011. Harold Camping, a Christian radio channel broadcaster, announced that the rapture would begin on May 21, 2011. The prediction caused hysteria among some believers. Several people gave up their life savings and reports of suicides were reported on the days leading up to May 21.

Throughout history, many have predicted the end of the world. But here we are. These predictions have come and gone. The 2012 theory may soon be added to the list of false predictions. Could the world end on December 21, 2012? I dunno. Ask the dinosaurs.

AP Studio Art Class Captures the Moment!

November 21, 2011

The following images were created by the students of the AP Studio Art class. In this project, the students are required to capture elements of design. Students create pictures based on the themes balance, rhythm, repetition, contrast, figure ground/ relationship, proportion-scale, unity, and emphasis.

Amanda Pierce (‘12)

A different look at nature:

This image was taken for emphasis. The composition allows the viewer to follow the natural lines of the stem and fluently guide the eyes to the focus of the image. The pollen is the focus of the image, and the colors allow it to pop and catch one’s eye automatically. This image had been one of the first times I had used a macro lens, and worked out perfectly.

Maddy Chait (‘12)

This photo satisfies the Contrast element required for AP Studio Art. The light is more outstanding against the harsh black.

Mark Marcello (‘12)

The graphite drawing was done as a prerequisite anatomical study of the muscular structure of the torso but was later developed by symbolism.The symbol of the “Angelic Fall” is a take on the idea of falling from grace, hence the torn wings and the mangled features of the aesthetic face (done essentially as an inverted portrait then developed with ripping motions). The countryside both adds to the motion of the piece and expands relate-able idea of the drawing. The focal point at the top center also emphasizes the heavens from which the angel falls, the light source of the piece.

Amanda Arbeit (‘12)

I shot this image with an Olympus E-520 camera and an attached HD macro lens. This image fulfills the principle of design, emphasis. In AP Studio Art, an image taken for emphasis must draw the viewer’s eye to a specific area or point. The closeness and selective focus of this composition combined with the different shades of colors in the foreground and background help create this sense of emphasis.

Jonathan Greer takes on the role as director!

Jonathan Greer '12

November 21, 2011

Jonathan Greer, ’12, is beginning to take on his new role as director of the upcoming school production of the play The Proposal by Anton Chekhov. Greer has been an active member of the theater program since he was in seventh grade.

The play is about a landowner who goes to ask for his neighbor’s daughter’s hand in marriage. But conflicts arise between the landowner and the neighbor’s daughter. The play consists of three characters portrayed by seniors Matthew Silverman, Tim Olson, and Cara Messina.

When asked about his expectations for his first job as director, Jonathan Greer said, “I know directing the play is going to be difficult. But, it will be a learning experience.” Jonathan and Ms. Evans had chosen The Proposal because the play is a classic comedy. There are no official dates for the play, but make sure to keep an eye out for this upcoming performance.

Seniors Receive Their Convocation Gift

October 20, 2011

sophmores serving ice cream to the seniors

On the day of homecoming, the Sophomores surprised the Seniors with their ice cream social. The ice cream social had been a gift that was presented to the Senior class at Convocation. During lunch, the class brought out a table of treats. The Seniors were able to choose from chocolate or vanilla ice cream and add toppings such as gummy bears, sprinkles, Oreo cookies, and whipped cream. Thank you, Sophomore class, for giving the Seniors such an awesome gift!

Convocation Rings this Friday

The Out-of-Door Academy victory bell

September 21, 2011

On September 23, 2011, the school will celebrate Convocation. For those who do not know, Convocation is a day that honors the seniors. The day marks the school’s entrusting the seniors with their new roles as leaders of the school. The tradition began in 2002 as an assembly for the seniors to sign the honor code in front of the high school. Over the next few years, Convocation evolved into a day for the school community to come together in this celebration for students entering their last year at ODA.

One of the enduring and most loved traditions associated with Convocation is the pairing of each senior with a kindergarten buddy. A week before Convocation, the seniors go to the lower campus to meet with their buddies. When they arrive, they get together with their buddies to play and get to know them. The seniors continue to meet with their buddies after Convocation has ended as a way to bring both campuses together.

On the day of Convocation, all lower school students travel to the Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch. Students go to the gymnasium, the Thunderdome, where they attend an assembly. On Convocation morning, the seniors again meet up with their kindergarteners and enter the gmynasium with them. Once everyone is settled, each grade presents a gift to the senior class. Gifts include songs sung by the younger students, car washes, poems, and slideshows. At the end of the assembly, the seniors and their buddies gather on the quad to ring the school bell; students then come together to take the annual all school picture.

We are all looking forward to the annual event. Thank you to everyone who has been working hard to make this event so memorable!

Dress Code Receives a Range of Responses

from left to right: Gianna Christnesnsen ’13, Stephanie Meunch '13, Tim Olson '12, and Robby Polidoro '12

September 6, 2011

Due to last year’s leniency with the dress code, new enforcement and limitations are in effect for the new year: no dresses or skirts; all shirts must be tucked in; and pants must be solid colored. For seniors, the change in dress code is disappointing. And what about the middle school students? They get excited for the transition into high school because of the new freedom that comes with high school. What happened to those freedoms? But these are not the only reactions to this year’s dress code. There have been many reactions from the student body about the new change. We decided to have some fun in asking a few students how they felt.

What other setting might you wear your school attire?

“Anywhere! There is no such thing as overdressing. I like to wear button downs, ties, dress boots, and slacks just about anywhere. I think it gives us a wide selection of clothes to wear in an out of school.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“It depends on what I am wearing. Usually I would not wear this.”-Stephanie Muench ’13

“Weekdays.” -Tim Olsen ’12

Speaking metaphorically, if the dress code were a celebrity, what celebrity would it be?

“Tim Gunn. No question.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“Steve Carrell’s character from the Office, Michael Scott.”-Stephanie Muench ’13

“Decent. While everyone looks nice, there is really no leniency within the dress code.” -Tim Olsen ’12

What dessert would best represent the dress code?

“Crème brule. It’s a simple, basic,classy dessert. But, you can add a garnish of fresh fruit or mint to it, and this is what gives it a flare r flavor. You can make the dress code as interesting as you want it to be. Add a tie, a nice pair of shoes, suspenders, or whatever makes you, you.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“Vanilla wafer, because it is modest and plain.” -Gianna Christnesnsen ’13

“Carrot cake, because it is something healthy that someone tried to make sweet, but it just turned out really gross.” -Tim Olsen ’12

Use one word to describe the dress code (any word) , and explain why you chose that word.

“Ace, I think the dress code makes everyone look really sharp.”-Robby Polidoro ’12

“Unimaginative, because everyone looks the same every day. No one sets to express themselves while still abiding by a less strict dress code.”-Gianna Christensen ’13

“Tedious. It’s the same thing everyday; over and over. There’s not much change in the outfit and eventually it gets boring.”-Stephenie Muench ’13

“Decent. While everyone looks nice, there is really no leniency within the dress code”- Tim Olsen ’12