As the spring sports season starts (with more than a foot of snow on the ground) and a three-week spring break right around the corner, Reserve is still in full swing and combating the negative effects of wind and snow with successful events like the annual winter carnival. Also a tradition on campus, this year's Bicknell Bonanza was a huge success with its beach theme. Students took a night off to get massages, make shell necklaces, get fake tattoos, take photo booth pictures (see above) and sing karaoke. The school also recently had poet, Dan Rzicznek, a Hudson native, on campus to give a reading at the school on February 20 in the Wilson Reading Room. The winter season is a long one in northeast Ohio but, as always, Reserve manages to find ways to have fun despite the lack of sunshine.

Winter break is over and Reserve is up and running again after the holidays. The first week back there were several guests on campus. The Kenyon Chasers, a Kenyon College a capella group, performed this past Monday and on Friday, Ted Gup '68, an award-winning journalist, spoke to the school as this year's Marticke Speaker. On Wednesday, Mr. Burner '80 (see photo), our dean of faculty and WRA's next head of school, spoke to the student body about Reserve's future. Also on Friday, seniors traveled to Kent State University to check out books for their Senior Seminar Research paper.

It was a full week on the team sports front: swim meets, wrestling matches and basketball games galore. Rehearsal continues for the winter play, "The Miracle Worker" and students are studying hard as the second semester draws to a close. It's been a busy, tiring first week back, but everyone is definitely into the rhythm of the schedule and ready for more...

This past Sunday, Reserve had its annual Vespers celebration. Starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel, the Western Reserve Academy choir sang Christmas songs representing various cultural and ethnic traditions. After the performance, which ended with a classic rendition of "Silent Night" sung by both choir and audience, the best dinner of the year was served over in the dining hall. After dessert Santa made a visit to the faculty children while Reserve students sang Christmas carols around the piano. This year, as always, the night was spectacular, and more than lived up to its reputation.

Last weekend Reserve hosted a computer recycling drive. Anyone who had old or broken computer parts, cell phones etc. could drop them off at the parking lot behind Wilson Hall on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. A company that breaks down the desktops, printers and other parts for recycling hauled away three truckloads by the time the drive was completed on Saturday. Students, faculty and staff all pitched in to help move and sort the various parts from each load. It was definately a community effort and the drive helped take WRA one step closer to being a green campus.

This past Friday night the Dads Club hosted their yearly party and auction. The party kicks off Parents Weekend with dinner and a live and silent auction. As always the event was a huge success. Students and parents arrived to great food and exciting bids. Green Key Society members were present, serving drinks, keeping track of bids and greeting parents and students as they arrived. Entertainment was provided by the Academy Orchestra, Jazz Band and the cast of the upcoming musical, Urinetown, with a sneak peak at their production. Overall, a spectacular night!