On 9 March, Dr. Peter Hyde’s Advanced Bio students presented their research in a poster session set up in the Jarvis Refectory. Over the course of winter term they designed and executed an experiment to research a topic of their choice. Early on they received guidance from alumni and parent scientists who vetted their proposals in classroom visits. The poster session is the culmination of the long-term, in-depth assignment, which, says Dr. Hyde, lets students engage directly with the power of the scientific method.See photos here.

The world and the ages were on display in the Great Hall in the form of the celebrated Western Civ Projects. The Class IV ritual produced creations ancient and modern and represented culture and technology from around the globe. Take the Grand Tour here.

Coach Josh Wildes and his varsity wrestlers captured second place at the Graves-Kelsey tournament on 13 February. Hosted by Belmont Hill (who took 1st), 12 of 14 wrestlers qualified for New Englands and each of these wrestlers contributed to the team’s edging out Brooks and Nobles to finish ahead of our third place finish in the ISLs for the regular season (behind BHS and Middlesex).

 “It was an all-around team effort with many kids getting clutch pins and performing above their seed,” reports Coach Wildes, “with 12 place winners out of 14 weight classes.” Those 12 are:

106- Doevy Estimphile 3rd place 113- Zach Lehan 2nd place 120- Darcelis Worrell 3rd place 126- Ian Kelly 5th place 132- Brent Samuels 2nd place 138- Rafael Brantly 2nd place 145- Adam Banks 5th place 152- Evan Epstein 5th place 160- Tyler Yan 3rd place 170- Noah Piou 6th place 182- Chris Jimenez 5th place 220- Chris Rota 3rd place

On Ash Wednesday Sister Barbara Rogers, headmistress of Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, addressed the School in Hall. It is Roxbury Latin’s tradition to commemorate the major religions during the year. Last fall we heard from Rabbi Wesley Gardenswartz during the Jewish High Holy Days. For Christians Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the penitential season leading up to Easter.

Fundamental to keeping a holy Lent is the awareness of our own mortality. “Remember, oh man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return,” the priest says while making a sooty smudge on foreheads. Sister Barbara focused her remarks on the implications of this fact—specifically how Jesus’s human experience can guide us through the desert pilgrimage of Lent’s 40 days.

“Christians believe that Jesus is true God and true man. I want to talk about Jesus as true man.” Sister Barbara explained that Jesus was attracted to the zealots and radicals who wanted to overthrow Roman rule and return Israel to self-governance. Judas Iscariot was one, John the Baptist was another. Jesus probably waited in a long line to be baptised by John, and when the moment came he heard God’s call (“my beloved son”). Anxious for what it meant, he wandered the desert for answers. It was there he faced three temptations: to make bread out of stones to relieve his own hunger; to jump from a pinnacle and rely on angels to break his fall; and to worship the devil in return for all the kingdoms of the world. Managing to resist all three, he left the desert to engage with the world—and God’s call.

Sister Barbara reminded us that we too are called to engage with the world, and listen for God’s call. “What am I going to do with this great education?” We are confronted with the temptation to power. Or we doubt God’s call: we squander the gifts we have been given; we view life as a sideshow. We are tempted to step back from engagement with life, to not be our fullest selves.

“Lent is an invitation to know how loved you are and to listen for that which you are being called to,” she said. “Jesus chose the route of being with the poor.” As true man, Jesus understood mortality: that at the end of life, all that is left is our good deeds.

As part of his welcome to Sister Barbara, Kerry Brennan noted that RL and NCDS share some common history. NCDS moved to its current location in 1925, just two years before RL moved in 1927 from Roxbury to West Roxbury. They expanded their school from four Commonwealth Avenue townhouses to the Loren D. Towle estate in Newton, which was designed by the legendary architect and Roxbury Latin graduate, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., Class of 1890. Like RL, NCDS develops the intellectual and spiritual side of students while encouraging them to dedicate their individual talents and gifts to others.”

A sister of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ) and an energetic, effective, and beloved school leader, Sister Barbara earned an undergraduate degree at Manhattanville College and an MBA from Yale. Over her 27 years as headmistress of NCDS, she has had a significant impact on its growth and advancement including increasing the endowment and building a new science lab and arts center.  

Looking for an antidote to a bleak mid-February? Try two ensemble performances in the space of a week.

Symphony Nova is a confederation of aspiring musicians who play in large ensembles but more often in chamber configurations. The group handpicks its fellows annually from top conservatories, and five of these (on flute, clarinet, oboe, French horn, and bassoon) presented a chamber music recital in Rousmaniere on 9 February. Based in Boston, Symphony Nova was founded in 2007 and gives four concerts each year in Old South Church (Copley Square). See photos here.

RL’s own Jazz Combo primed the pump just five days earlier with a stunning recital hall in the Smith Theater on 3 February. Coached by pianist David Leach ’09—who logged many performances himself while a student at Roxbury Latin—the Jazz Combo includes Aiden Collins I (electric guitar), Liam O’Connor V (trombone), Ian Richardson V (drums), Jack Ringel V (trumpet), Jake Wexelblatt III (sax), and Josh Winograd II (trumpet). See photos here.