Milken Mini Stories: Auditions, LEGOS, and College Counseling

 

Auditions were held for the Upper School play “Merry Man,” September 5-7. A workshop on stage combat & physical comedy, two skills that are a big part of the style of the show, was held on the first day of auditions. The basics of how to fall, punch, and be punched on stage were covered. Clowning and Commedia dell’arte were also part of the workshop. The remaining audition days consisted of reading various roles from the script. Director Sarah Figoten will announce the cast on Friday, September 8. Rehearsals begin on September 10.

 

 

The robotics team hosted a successful FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League (FLL) workshop on Sunday, September 2, in the Guerin Family Institute for Advanced Sciences. Approximately 65 students from 10 different FLL teams attended. Jared Hasen-Klein ’18 organized and led the workshop. Other robotics team members, Talia Gandin ’21, Zeke Levin ’18, Marcus Bernstein ’18, Bryce Heitner ’19, Yoel Nozar ’19, Drew Weisserman ’19, and Alex Swerdlow ’19, were there to assist. Using a PowerPoint displayed on two monitors, along with two monitors streaming video from a webcam showing an overview of the FLL table, Hasen-Klein presented on each of the 18 missions of this year’s game— there is a themed challenge each year.

The challenge takes place on a 4x8 foot tabletop mat and uses LEGO models as game pieces. Teams program their robots with instructions for the missions and earn points for each one successfully completed. Hasen-Klein also explained changes in the judging procedures, such as the time allotted for presentations. Following the presentation, students were able to ask questions and get a closer look at the tabletop. The other student volunteers led tours of Guerin.

Over 100 Milken senior parents attended the Senior Parent College Counseling Night on September 5. The evening was highlighted by keynote presentations by Emily Benoit from the University of Chicago and Ed Devine from Lafayette College. Following the wisdom and guidance provided by their professional colleagues, the college counseling department worked directly with the parents of their respective cohorts and guided them through the ins and outs of the college application process.