20 Highlights for the 20th Anniversary

My recent 20th anniversary celebration of my Julian 8th Grade Graduation has energized me as I realize how much I have to celebrate from those 3 years.

In keeping with the spirit of celebration, here's a list of 20 highlights from my Julian years:

One of the first aspects of the building that caught my attention was the atrium that looked upward from the first floor to the roof with a skylight.  In those early days as I adjusted, it inspired me.

I completed an essay assignment on Harriette Gillem Robinet and had the opportunity to personally interview her.

I made it to the All-School Spelling Bee all three years.

I participated in the Word Power Challenge, which I think that I did in both grades 7 and 8.

I participated in the News Bowl competition in grades 6 and 8.  It was a team effort, and both years, our News Bowl teams scored high.  I remember enjoying those January and February Tuesday mornings in grade 8 in Mr. Krapf's room looking over news articles and enjoying snacks as we prepared for the competition in March.

I was elected Student Council Co-Vice President in 7th grade.  I made a 2-minute speech that I wrote in front of a packed auditorium as part of the campaign, and I repeated in two days later.  I continued on student council as a member in 8th grade.

In 7th grade, we did a math project to calculate how much it costs to light the school building for an entire year.

I participated in the Middle School Math Event in 6th grade.  After participating in the competition, we got lunch and lots of entertainment.

Our end of the year field trip in 6th grade was Medieval Times.

In keeping with a family tradition, I served as an office helper in the first trimester of grade 8.

In 8th grade, I went on a field trip to the Chicago Auto Show, which was connected to a project we did to determine how much it would cost to have a car for an entire year.

Two days later, I went on a field trip to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  I think we saw A Comedy of Errors.

Going to Tommy Gun's in 8th grade was a great way to celebrate what we had been learning about the Roaring 20's.  I portrayed Calvin Coolidge, as did another classmate, Aaron.

I participated in a service project sponsored by Seguin with my classmates as we did yardwork at a home with residents supported by Seguin.

I was on the staff of the Jayhawk Flyer newspaper in 8th grade.

We watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 8th grade, likely a connection point to our study of the US Constitution in the first trimester.

I was the 2005 Julian National Geographic Bee champion.

I really enjoyed Arts and Culture class in grade 6, with Ms. Worley, who came from serving as the art teacher at Longfellow School.  We explored multiple cultures throughout the world during this year-long elective.

Among the many art projects I did throughout my time at Julian in various art classes, one that was most memorable was a diorama of the National Mall and its environs in Washington, D.C.

My classmates voted me the "Most Likely to Succeed" along with Emma Lewis.

Mom and I once had a conversation about that distinction many years later.  Through it, I realize that I've found success by taking what I gained in middle school and offering it in service to others, most especially in Religoius Education class.

Indeed, Julian continues to bring me joy and be a blessing.