Big congratulations to all students who participated in the recent spelling bee for Grades 3-5. Winners and participants are as follows:

Grade 5 first place and Grand Champion Cullen McCarthy, second place Alan Schlichting, third place Zach Whitt and Taylor Wills.

Grade 4 first place Fiona McCarthy, second place Carlton Hellandsjo, third place Trevor Achilles and Katie Wonders.

Grade 3 first place Faith Scheifelbein, second place Gus Moshos, third place Sierra Aceto, Julia Bennett, Cayley Eaton and Mary Stewart Pierson.

Connor Lounsbury, Grade 7, will star in one of the lead roles in the upcoming production of "Seussical, The Musical," by the Pied Piper Theatre. Connor was one of about 40 selected from the more than 150 children who tried out for the production. The play is centered around a 13-year-old boy named Jo Jo, played by Connor, whom Dr. Seuss calls "a thinker that thinks, thinks." The musical will be performed at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas on Saturday, May 7 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 and 15 at 3:30 p.m. Call (703) 330-ARTS for more information.

Enrollment in Highland's Summer Camp program is progressing rapidly. This week's spotlight is on the popular Harry Potter camps. During the weeks of June 20 and 27, campers between the ages of 8-12 will have the chance to attend classes in Potions and Care of Magical Creatures, play in Quidditch matches and more. There's always something new brewing at the Harry Potter camp!

On Wednesday, parents gathered in the Black Box Theater for a Grade 2 performance of several musical pieces and recitations - the first Highland production in this intimate space. Accompanied by Lise Hicklin on her acoustic guitar, they concluded the program with a musical Irish Blessing. Afterwards, Senior Highland "Lifer" Andrew Farrar made a presentation announcing the dedication of the Black Box Theater in honor of one of Highland's favorite teachers, Mrs. Lise Hicklin.

Obviously surprised by the revelation that the event was in her honor, Mrs. Hicklin remarked, "I'm just simply overwhelmed. It really means so much to me to have such a beautiful legacy here at Highland, the place I love. Many, many thanks to you all." Mrs. Hicklin has taught more than 200 students during her many years at Highland. Through her example she teaches a legacy of a love for learning, patience, compassion and maintaining a sense of humor to the entire school community.

National Geographic Editor Visits Highland School

Chris Johns, newly named Editor of National Geographic magazine, shared his dream with Highland students as part of the School's Earth Day celebration, which this year focused on Africa. He showed the group many photographs of Africa, some taken on the ground, others taken by a camera on the shoe of a man with a propeller on his back. Of his travels to Africa he said "it's a fascinating place. It's one of the most interesting places I've been to in the world."

He showed students photos of hippos in the water, crocodiles, women building huts, lions, pygmy boys in a rite of passage, a priest in Nairobi, oil wells in the Niger Delta, rare mountain zebras, and even a photo of a baby elephant walking through a hotel lobby. The students were fascinated.

He, much like Joseph Lekuton before him, reiterated to students that the problems and issues that Africa faces are really not that different from those we face here in the United States. "We must find a balance between the needs of people and a healthy environment," he offered. "It is important that we leave a world in which our children can thrive."

As editor, Johns hopes to make the magazine bolder, more exciting, and more entertaining. "National Geographic is an institution I really believe in," he concluded, "and we're really excited about where we can take this magazine."