Holton-Arms School opened its new Science and Performing Arts Center on Monday, Sept. 8, on the day the students returned to school. The $20 million project broke ground in May 2002, and will house new classrooms including a lecture hall, physics lab, chemistry lab, earth/environmental science room, AP biology room, a Black Box theater and rehearsal rooms for band, chorus and orchestra.
“It is absolutely gorgeous,” said Holton biology teacher Patricia Carver. “As a science teacher, you were so involved in designing your space. … We were able to give so much input into some of the basics, like having enough space to do more experiments.”
The Black Box theater is designed to be an innovative space for performing arts projects. It will house a coffee house, and can be set up a variety of formats, holding between 80 and 300 spectators. “We don’t even know all we can do in there,” said Mary Jane Pagenstecher, Holton’s music department chair.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the new building for business after a convocation ceremony with an “Opening Doors” theme welcomed Holton’s students back to school.
Charles Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Armstrong of Potomac, received the award for Best Student in Study Skills at Randolph-Macon Academy in July. Armstrong attended the Randolph-Macon summer program, offering enrichment courses to students entering grades 6 through 8.
Holton-Arms ‘03 graduate Allison Larsen of Potomac was named a winner of Denison University’s Dean’s Award by university admissions counselors. The $10,000 award is made on the basis of a student’s academic, extracurricular and personal record.
U. S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-8) announced that his office is accepting applications from students in the Eighth Congressional District, which includes Potomac, for nominations to one of the uniformed service academies.
The academies for which nominations will be made are the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Applications may be obtained in person or by writing to Van Hollen’s office at 51 Monroe Street, Suite 507, Rockville, MD 20850. Those requesting an application are asked to include a brief biography and some information to allow the office to open a file on the applicant.
Completed applications and supporting materials must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Rockville Office by Friday, October 17, 2003. Call (301) 424-3501.
The Bullis School will participate in the upcoming season of NBC-4 quiz show “It’s Academic!”