Congratulations to the Girls and Boys basketball teams for earning spots in the 2019 WPIAL playoffs! Join us in supporting the Bears.

Girls Basketball will take on Frazier High School in the first round of WPIAL playoffs on Friday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Charleroi High School.

Boys Basketball earned a first-round bye and will compete in the second round of WPIAL playoffs on February 22. More details will be posted here as they become available.

Ticketing Information
New this year, pre-sale tickets will only be available online through the Huddle-Go Fan website. Pre-sale student tickets are $5.00, and adult tickets are $7.00. All tickets at the gate are $7.00 – there will be no student tickets sold at the gate. If you have any questions regarding tickets, please contact Director of Athletics, Kevin Miller.

Visit winchesterthurston.org/athletics for the full Athletics schedule.

In an impressive comeback from fourth place, seventh grader Vivian Loh finished first place overall at the Pittsburgh Chapter MATHCOUNTS competition and qualified for the state competition – along with sixth grader Thomas Li, who finished fourth overall.

During the written rounds, consisting of the "sprint round," in which students must answer 30 questions in 40 minutes, and the "target round," four sets of two questions, which students must answer in six minutes per set, Vivian finished fourth. In the "countdown round," where students answer questions head-to-head, Vivian defeated the top five competitors to move from fourth to first place.

Sixth grader Thomas Li finished third in the written rounds and fourth place overall. Both Vivian and Thomas will represent WT at the state competition in March.

The WT MATHCOUNTS team also competed and finished in third place.

Congratulations to all!

MATHCOUNTS provides engaging math programs to US middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving.

Five Upper School students earned 12 awards in four different categories, including three Gold Keys and five Silver Keys, in the 2019 Scholastic Awards for the Pittsburgh Arts Region. Pieces were judged by a panel of artists, art educators, and art professionals.

Class of 2020
Yixin 'Allison' Cai, three Silver Keys in Painting for "The Daises," "Fishing for a Friend," and "Falling for You"

Rivers Leche, one Silver Key in Photography for "Kieran"

Class of 2019
Isana Raja, two Gold Keys in Photography for "Los Cuernos" and "La Boca" as well as three Honorable Mentions in Photography for "Torres del Paine," "Gaucho," and "Three"

Daniela Schafer, one Gold Key in Sculpture for "Cuddly Caffeine" and one Silver Key in Photography for "Doors"

Jafar Turner, One Honorable Mention for his Art Portfolio

Winners will be honored at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, February 23, at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) North Campus. Pieces honored with Gold Key awards were entered into a competition to compete for national awards.

Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation's longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.

Sample students' winning pieces:

Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation's longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.

Winchester Thurston School (WT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Anne Fay as Director of Upper School, effective July 1, 2019. Dr. Fay has been serving as Interim Director this year.

In a process that attracted more than 30 applicants nationwide and spanned nearly five months, Dr. Fay's broad and deep experience in researching how students learn and in training faculty, along with her work this year in the interim role, impressed faculty, students, parents, administrators, and staff at each stage of the hiring process.

In this role, Dr. Fay will work closely with the rest of the WT Leadership Team to ensure that Upper School students are engaged in a way that allows them to be prepared for today's challenging, changing world.

Prior to serving as Interim Director, Dr. Fay served as WT's Director of eLearning. In this role, she worked with faculty at all levels on the thoughtful integration of technology tools into the curriculum, and oversaw membership in the Malone Schools Online Network.

"With this appointment, and the strength of the rest of the WT Leadership Team, I am confident that WT is well-positioned to develop the structures that will allow us to continue to be agile and effective as we guide our students through an ever-changing path to becoming vibrant, engaged citizens of the world," said Head of School, Dr. Scott. D. Fech. "As WT develops its next strategic plan, Anne's voice will be instrumental in helping craft a plan where both our students and our institution thrive."

Dr. Fay began her career in academia at the university level as a fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her dissertation was focused on Computer Programming Instruction: The acquisition & transfer of design skills. She also served as a Visiting Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at Carnegie Mellon University. While there, she joined Carnegie Mellon's Office of Technology for Education & Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence first as an Educational Assessment Specialist, then as Assistant Director of the Center, and finally as its Director. Dr. Fay then joined the University of Pittsburgh as Executive Data Assessment Liaison & Co-Director of Business Intelligence, Computing Services & System Development.

Dr. Fay holds a Ph.D. in psychology with distinction from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a B.A. in psychology with honors from York University, Ontario, Canada. She also completed post-doctoral positions at Carnegie Mellon University and as a McDonnell Post-Doctoral Research Fellow for Cognitive Studies in Educational Practice.

Dr. Fay is a WT alumnae parent of Fay Blelloch '16 and Siena Blelloch '18.

Last summer, Jacob Dubner '17 and Jack Waters '17 had the opportunity to implement their WT Research Science project in Uganda. Dubner and Waters crafted their project, the "Oral Rehydration Therapy Tube," or "ORTube," in their Upper School Research Science Class during the 2016-2017 school year.

Their story is now featured on TribLive.

Learn more about their Research Science project.

Congratulations to Girls Basketball who has earned a spot in the PIAA State Playoffs. The Bears will take on West Middlesex at Sharon High School at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8. Join us in cheering on the Bears!

Ticket Information
Pre-sale tickets can be purchased in the Athletics Office until noon on Friday, March 8. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Tickets will also be sold at the gate for $6.00.

Questions? Contact Director of Athletics, Kevin Miller.

Visit winchesterthurston.org/athletics for the full Athletics schedule.

Student pieces inspired by the Carnegie International 57^th edition spanning all grade levels and both campuses were unveiled to WT parents, faculty and staff, and even the curator of the Carnegie International, Ingrid Schaffner, at the WT International: Student Work Inspired by the Carnegie International 57^th edition Opening Reception on Monday, March 11.

Student docents, who have visited the Carnegie International as part of City as Our Campus over the past few months, provided tours of the exhibit, which includes works ranging from installation sculpture to drawing and painting in the Art Gallery and throughout Molloy Posner Hall.

At WT, the only thing more powerful than what students learn is why they learn it.

We're so proud of the following Upper School students who were recognized for their volunteer service, humanitarianism, and academic achievements.

Anna Nesbitt, Class of 2021, was honored for her exemplary volunteer community service with a Certificate of Excellence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Anna was among the top 10 percent of all applicants in Pennsylvania for this program, and she also earned the President's Volunteer Service Award in recognition of the many hours she has dedicated to serving the community and country.

Alexandra Friedlander and Thatcher 'TJ' Montgomery, both Class of 2020, were recognized with 2019 Carson Scholar designations for their community work, humanitarianism, and academic achievements. Alexandra was one of the 505 students from across the country recognized as a 2019 Carson Scholar for which she will receive a $1,000 college scholarship. TJ was one of 878 students honored as a 2019 Recognized Carson Scholar. In addition to excelling in academics, Alexandra and TJ were recognized for their dedicated service to the community. They will be celebrated at a regional awards banquet in April.

As well as being a 2019 Carson Scholar, Alexandra's response to the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh's Waldman International Arts and Writing Competition additional essay prompt for this year's competition – "In the aftermath of the Tree of Life massacre – What do you see as the causes of hate crimes and antisemitism, and what would you do to stop these forms of hatred?" –earned the top prize in this category. Alexandra will be honored at the award ceremony in May.

Congratulations to all!

From left to right, Anna Nesbitt, Class of 2021, Alexandra Friedlander, Class of 2020, and TJ Montgomery, Class of 2020.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service.

The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities.

The Waldman International Arts and Writing Competition allows middle school and high school students in Allegheny County and in partner region Israel, Karmiel-Misgav to submit original art and compete for academic scholarships.

After finishing in first place at the Pittsburgh Chapter MATHCOUNTS competition in February, seventh grader Vivian Loh did it again! She won the state competition, becoming the first girl to win the title in Pennsylvania in the organization's 36-year history.

For the win, Vivian came back from the written rounds, where she finished in third place, to win the countdown round, in which the top students go head-to-head and "buzz in" to answer questions.

She will represent WT at nationals in May.

Vivian at last year's Math Kangaroo competition at WT.

MATHCOUNTS provides engaging math programs to US middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving.

Jocelyn Hayes and Rishi Mukherjee, both Class of 2023, won first place in junior group exhibition at the 2019 National History Day Pittsburgh competition for their project "Operation Paperclip: Moral Betrayal for the sake of National Security." Jocelyn and Rishi will represent WT at the state competition in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in May.

From left to right, Jocelyn Hayes and Rishi Mukherjee at the National History Day Pittsburgh Competition.

Upper and Middle School students won 11 awards at Carnegie Science Center's 80th annual Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair (PRSEF), including Aria Eppinger, Class of 2020, who won first place in Medicine/Health/Microbiology. Aria was also one of four students selected to advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world's largest international pre-college science competition. She began this research in Middle School when she was the recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement for her project "The Effect of Roundup® on Human Gut Bacteria" at the Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology, and Engineering Rising Stars).

At the PRSEF, competitors present projects in science, mathematics, and engineering. WT Students competed with more than 1,000 sixth – twelfth graders from Western Pennsylvania and Garrett County, Maryland.

Congratulations to all awardees and participants:

Isaac Berman, Class of 2019
Fourth Place in Computer Science, Senior Division

Pablo Coen-Pirani, Class of 2021
U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps (Office of Naval Research) Sponsor Award

Aria Eppinger, Class of 2020
First place in Medicine/Health/Microbiology, Senior Division
One of four selected to advance to the Intel ISEF
Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation Sponsor Award

Jiaping 'Derek' Li, Class of 2019
U.S. Airforce Sponsor Award

Aria Narasimhan, Class of 2023

Gus Robinson, Class of 2021

Nicole Shigiltchoff, Class of 2020
Carlow University Scholarship Award
La Roche College Scholarship Award
Princeton Alumni Association of Western Pennsylvania Sponsor Award

Julia Stern, Class of 2022
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Sponsor Award
Pittsburgh Intellectual Property Law Association Sponsor Award

Jackson Zemek, Class of 2022
American Meteorology Society Sponsor Award

These students will also present their projects at the upcoming WT STEM Symposia. The Middle School Symposium will take place on May 9, and the Upper School Symposium is on May 22.

The regional fair has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940. It is also the third oldest science fair in the United States under the affiliation of Society for Science and the Public, which facilitates the International Science and Engineering Fair.

From left to right, Science Department Chair Graig Marx and Aria Eppinger at the Pittsburgh Regional Science Fair.

Seventy students in grades 5-12 from Pittsburgh Area Independent Schools, including The Campus Laboratory School of Carlow University, Community Day School, The Ellis School, St. Edmund's Academy, and Falk Laboratory School, will join WT students and Head of School Dr. Scott D. Fech for a unique opportunity to converse and connect through The Big Table Pittsburgh, sponsored by Leadership Pittsburgh Inc, this evening from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

As part of The Big Table Pittsburgh conversations happening across the Pittsburgh region today, students will have meaningful discussions, over food, to deepen their understanding of shared values as a community. They will break into groups of 8-12 for an hour of conversation focused on the fundamental question, "How can we work together to build a strong, connected community?", and then reconvene as a full group for a 30-minute discussion.

Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. is the foremost multi-disciplinary leadership identification, enrichment and networking organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania dedicated to developing a robust pipeline of diverse civic leaders to serve the region.

Not one, but two Upper School students were recognized as gold medalists in the Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen Awards. Of the 489 students nominated and 100 recognized, junior Aria Eppinger and senior Nadine Oury were two of only ten students to receive gold medals for their exemplary character and leadership, community service, and academic excellence.

Aria was recognized for winning the national grand prize in Warren Buffet's "Grow Your Own Business Challenge" and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement at the Broadcom MASTERS Awards, as well as for her extracurricular pursuits as the president of the STEMinist Society and editor-in-chief of Sigma STEM Journal, her swimming, cross country, and track pursuits, and study of the violin.

Nadine earned the gold award for being a National Merit Semifinalist, winning writing awards, for being an Advanced Placement scholar with honors, a 12-year Girl Scout and gold award project leader, and for community service in Morocco. In addition to earning an Outstanding Young Citizen gold medal, Nadine also received the 2019 Girl Scout Humanitarian Award from the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania Council for her Gold Award project, "Get Outside: GO – Explore, Discover, Protect."

Congratulations to both Aria and Nadine!

From left to right, Upper School Computer Science teacher Kate Sickler, Aria, Nadine, and Upper School Dean of Students Matt Bachner at the Outstanding Young Citizen Awards Banquet.

For 26 years, Trib Total Media has recognized the achievements of local high school students with the Outstanding Young Citizen Award. An Outstanding Young Citizen is a junior or senior high school student who shows exemplary character and leadership, goes above and beyond within their community, and excels in the classroom.

Seniors Isaac T. Berman, Katharine S. Chaillet, Patrick J. Costa, Evanna Jin, Jiaping Li 李嘉平 , Alexis J. Molder, Sena Noaman, Nadine H. Oury, Kevin D. Salipante, Daniella H. Shear, Zihe Tian 田子禾, and Hanna E. Woo were inducted into the Cum Laude Society on April 24, 2019. To be eligible for membership in the Cum Laude Society, students must be in the top 20% of their class academically and exhibit commendable character.

The WT community celebrated the inductees in an Upper School community-wide ceremony with remarks from Head of School Dr. Scott D. Fech and the inductee-selected keynote speaker, English Department Chair Dr. Christine Benner Dixon.

Congratulations to our Cum Laude inductees!

Keynote Speaker Dr. Christine Benner Dixon and the 2019 Cum Laude Inductees. (Not pictured: Patrick J. Costa)

Sophomore Keran 'Coco' Chen has been named as one of just 63 NatureBridge Alcoa Scholars from across the globe. The program, designed to develop future environmental leaders, allows students to participate in a two-week summer program at Yosemite National Park or Olympic National Park. Coco will backpack through Olympic National Park, conduct hands-on science research, participate in a service project, and explore environmental issues from a global perspective.

Coco hopes that her experience in the program will deepen her connection to the environment and empower her as an environmental advocate. She believes in the importance of a diverse group of people having a "connection to nature" and is eager to serve as a representative for Asian students. "I've always believed that protecting the environment is not one person's effort... [it] is a responsibility for all of us," notes Coco.

Congratulations, Coco!

WT Coach Jennifer 'Jen' Bigham qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Eugene, Oregon marathon. Bigham surpassed the Olympic Trials standard, 2 hours and 45 minutes, and won the marathon with a time of 2:41. The Olympic Trials will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on February 29, 2020. The top three women and men from that race will advance to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Bigham, who coaches our Varsity Cross Country and Track teams, reflected on how her experience at WT as a coach and parent impacted her performance in the race:

"I thought about the WT Cross Country and Track teams while on the course, and they were a big motivation for me. Every day at practice, I reflect [on] my own years of training and think of what I might teach them, while also gaining so much knowledge and perspective from the student athletes! Our team likes to say 'our best effort satisfies everyone,' and I wanted to put forth my best effort for myself and everyone who supports me. I also thought of my own children... Different parts of the course would remind me of them, and it would give me a burst of energy. I feel so loved and supported by the WT community."

Bigham is also the parent of WT students Currence 'Currie' Bigham, Class of 2028, and Wells Bigham, Class of 2031.

Congratulations, Coach Bigham!

WT's Track and Field team had a great showing at the Class AA WPIAL Track and Field Championships, including four medalists, two PIAA State Championship qualifiers, and one WPIAL Champion.

Boys 3200 meters
Scott Routledge, Class of 2020, WPIAL Champion and state qualifier
Patrick Malone, Class of 2021, medalist

Girls 200 meters
Nya Nicholson, Class of 2021, medalist, state qualifier

Boys 1600 meters
Sean Heintzleman, Class of 2020, medalist

Following their success at National History Day Pittsburgh, Jocelyn Hayes and Rishi Mukherjee, both Class of 2023, won first place in junior group exhibition at the 2019 National History Day State Competition for their project "Operation Paperclip: Moral Betrayal for the sake of National Security." Jocelyn and Rishi will represent WT, for the first time in school history, at the National Contest in June at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Congratulations to both Jocelyn and Rishi!

Lower School Visual Arts teacher Kate Gugliotta has recently been published in Exploring Digital Technologies for Art-Based Special Education: Models and Methods for the Inclusive K-12 Classroom, which details the use of digital technologies for inclusive art education.

Gugliotta, who teaches Pre-K – grade 5 students at the City Campus, co-authored "The Crayon Doesn't Do That: Early Childhood and Advanced Technology," a chapter that explores the question, "How might art educators who work with advanced technology participate in the field of special education?"

Each year, the diversity and depth of Upper School students' talents are recognized on Class Day.

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized on May 22, 2019:

Winchester Thurston Growth Award
Rachel L. Sadeh

Winchester Thurston City as Our Campus Award
Meredith J. Warden

Winchester Thurston Equity and Inclusion Award
Akiliann N. Bray

Winchester Thurston Independent Thinking Award
Thatcher Montgomery

Wadhwa Community Service Award
Aria R. Eppinger

Mimi Burke '73 Book Award
Aria R. Eppinger

Zelda Wilmurt Drama Prize
Christina Vlachos

Visual Arts Award
Maya E. Husni, Jafar S. Turner

Student Ambassador Leadership Recognition
Tatiana J. Barelli, Charles E. Burton, Andrew D. Fingeret, Nadine H. Oury

Female Athlete of the Year Award
Katherine S. Chaillet

Male Athlete of the Year Award
Scott R. Routledge

Cassy Richards '01 Athlete of the Year Award
Cross Country Team: Scott R. Routledge, Sean J. Heinztleman, Ben A. Bermann, Gus T. Robinson, Patrick D. Malone, Kevin D. Salipante, Jack R. Robinson, David M. Canavan

Haley Surti '97 Award
Katherine S. Chaillet

Patricia Schuerger Mathematics Award
Isaac T. Berman

Virginia Ann Sheppard '41 History Prize
Meredith J. Warden

The Pursuit of Science
Jiaping Li 李嘉平

Award for Ingenuity in Technology, Research, and Design
Isaac T. Berman

Computer Science Award
Daniela H. Schafer

Nathan Hurrell '14 Performing Arts Service Award
Rocco A. Turano

Technical Theater Award
Sena Noaman

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
M. Roman Washington, Charlie E. Burton

National School Orchestra Award
Yixin Cai, Sena Noaman

Joe Negri Guitar Ensemble Award
Olivia O. Sobkowiak

National School Choral Award
Zoe A. Soteres

Jeanne-Anna Widgery '37 English Award
Meredith J. Warden

Lida B. Johnston Excellence in Latin Award
Bridget K. Hughes

Excellence in French Award
Jacob R. Dumaine-Schutz

Excellence in Chinese Award
Hannah E. Woo

Excellence in Spanish Award
Daniel V. Pellathy

Genevieve Yagodkin Foreign Language Award
Angela E. Hayes