Members of the Class of 2009 gathered just before the beginning of the school year for a yearbook party held in the spectacular new 9th Grade Lounge in the Upper School. After many exclamations over the transformation of the former art room into the new lounge space, the alums caught up on who did what this past summer and where they were headed to school this fall (See list below). They then headed out to the covered walkway to see their newly installed named bricks.
Afterward, they toured the Arts and Technology building where they stopped to chat with former teachers. They were amazed at the new facility which houses Digital Media and Digital Music studios, a Media Production Studio– the new home of Summit’s TV-6, the Robotics Studio, two spacious light-filled art studios, band and music practice rooms, the Black Box Theater, and the Design Studio. Many of the graduates were heard wishing they could return to Summit to take advantage of the amazing state-of-the-art facilities included in the new building.
Part of the summer 2009 construction projects included the renovation of the former Upper School art room into a space designed exclusively for 9th graders. Bright orange lockers with photos of each student ring the perimeter of the room. There is a sleek sofa and matching chairs for lounging, and a table and chairs– with more pieces on order. Special thanks go to parent Laurie Whitaker for donating the furniture and for her design expertise. Her son, George, a Summit 9th grader, served on the Interior Decor Committee along with fellow students Benjamin Carson, Olivia Hinson, and Emily Troxell.
George says he enjoyed the process of helping to take the dimensions, working on a floor plan, and scouring catalogs for just the right contemporary pieces to make the room come together. “I think it was a really good idea to turn the dirty, beat-up old room into the new space,” says George. “It was fun to watch it formulate. It is really cool.” George also gave credit to his aunt who had the ingenious idea of making throw pillows out of t-shirts with school logos.
Ninth graders use the room in a variety of ways throughout each day. Advisor Groups meet first thing in the morning to discuss the day’s schedule and students are allowed to eat morning snack in the lounge. A group often gathers there during free time following lunch in the Dining Hall.
If you haven’t seen the new space, make sure and stop by. Stay tuned for upcoming news on 9th grade activities.
What is Next for the Class of 2009?
Dana Barnhill…………………………West Forsyth High School
Lasley Cash…………………………….Forsyth Country Day School
Caroline Ciener……………………….R.J. Reynolds High School
Austin Conger………………………….Episcopal High School
Imran Cronk……………………………Forsyth Country Day School
Mimi Daniel…………………………….Mt. Tabor High School
Carolyn Ebeling……………………….Forsyth Country Day School
Mariah Edwards………………………Reagan High School
Gray Eller……………………………..…R.J. Reynolds High School
Sam Falken………………………..……Episcopal High School
Zada Gabriel…………………………….Salem Academy
Jordan Hicks……………………………Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts (Opelousas, LA)
Catherine Hinshaw……………………R.J. Reynolds High School
Trent Holmes…………………………….St. Paul’s School
Savannah Jones…………………………R.J. Reynolds High School
Briana Lawrence………………………..Mt. Tabor High School
Maya Lipscomb………………………..…Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy
Miranda Lipscomb………………………Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy
Hannah Lonsinger………………………Salem Academy
John Mann…………………………………Forsyth Country Day School
Bethany Mann…………………………….Reagan High School
Jack McCall…………………………………Forsyth Country Day School
Hayley Moyer………………………………Reagan High School
Mary Thompson Phillips……………….R.J. Reynolds High School
Leslie Rainey……………………………….R.J. Reynolds High School
Evan Sohmer…………………………..….Mt. Tabor High School
Lauren Spencer…………………………..Salem Academy
Annie Wittenberg………………………..Salem Academy
