Boys’ Varsity Basketball - All Fired Up

By: Laura Barrett-Elfering
Dunn student journalist

The Dunn boys’ varsity basketball team looks as if it will have a good 2010/2011 season. Coaches Ulises Casteneda and Eric Deguin feel that their team, with eight returning players, five of whom are seniors, will play cohesively as a team against top competitors: Cate, Thacher, and Laguna Blanca. This season the coaches are trying to focus on establishing a positive chemistry with the team. The Earwigs will be led by senior, Corbin Meyer. Corbin has been a key player on the varsity team since arriving at Dunn his freshman year. Other seniors on the team are Troy Johnson, Michael Tseng, Jeff Wang, and Alex Zheng, all of whom have been a part of Dunn basketball in previous years. The boys are scheduled to play a pre-season scrimmage against a young Orcutt Academy team on December 2nd . League play begins the following day, December 3rd, against cross town rival, Midland. Both games will begin at 5:30 in the Dunn gym. Take a brief study break, and come out and support the boys in their first games, which will hopefully lead to a very successful season.

Dunn Students Excel at International Equestrian Event

Click here to read about two outstanding equestrians currently attending Dunn School.

Student Blog -- The Lip-Sync Competition

The following blog is by Katey Gillispie.  As a new junior at Dunn last year, Katey wrote frequently about her thoughts and activities as she went through the year. By popular request from a number of newly-enrolled students who followed her blogs last year as they were considering attending Dunn, Katey has agreed to continue the blog as her schedule permits.

Nothing shows enthusiasm for school spirit like the majority of the student body cramming themselves into the barn to watch as kids and faculty alike performed lip-sync acts to compete for their D.U.N.N teams! This past weekend as part of a series of events held to engage kids in teambuilding and bonding, the lip-sync was a huge success. Doubled in size from last year, the audience was clutching at their sides from laughter as act after act got up on stage and whipped out extremely entertaining skits. Each act was well rehearsed, and decked out in full costume (including a bright blonde wig for the song “Barbie Girl” and a girl dressed up as Justin Bieber who sang to her friend the hit song “Baby.”) Best of all however, was the impeccable timing of the lip-to-lyric synchronization demonstrated by all the actors. Sitting near the back, by the third song I was standing up on my seat in order to get a clear view over the heads of kids who were standing, dancing and clapping along with the performers!


When the time came for my friend Connor McMorrow and I to perform our skit (the song “Breaking Free” from High School Musical), the theater buzzed almost audibly with energy as I did my best to gulp down butterflies. Ms. Childs, the Dean of Students who ran the event, introduced us as Gabriella and Troy as the red curtain swung open and the music began to play. We mocked the song a bit; dancing around the stage and mimicking (to the best of our ability) the movie’s dance chorography while “singing” our hearts out. The experience was one of complete silliness and joy; just exactly what was needed for everyone involved at the end of a stressful workweek. I love the way Dunn provides us with opportunities to put our hands to work on something creative; as well as something truly FUN! In the end everyone came away gushing about the evening, smiles on everyone’s faces. Without a doubt the enthusiasm and the full turnout show just how tight-knit and awesome this year's student body truly is! I’m thoroughly looking forward to the next D.U.N.N event!

Winter Athletics Underway

The Winter sports season got off to a successful start yesterday as girls' and boys' basketball and soccer teams began practice, joined by the initial activities of climbing & kayaking, surfing, yoga, community service, journalism, and dance.  Independent sports are also being pursued by about 15 students.  Team competitions begin in early December after students return from Thanksgiving break that begins this Saturday.

Ping Pong Plays Midland

Members of Dunn's Fall Ping Pong Activity hosted a friendly match versus Midland.  Dunn's undefeated record from last year remains unblemished, not so much because of a win or loss but because team scores were not recorded.  The Len Kado Memorial Ping Pong Palace has been much in use throughout the fall and our table tennis stars are eager to take on all comers. 

Dunn Girls’ Tennis Ends Season Tomorrow

By: Sazan Pasori Dunn Student Journalist
After a season filled with ups and downs, Dunn girls’ tennis is finally coming to a close. After an away match in Ojai this past Saturday versus Thacher School, Dunn’s final match will be away versus Laguna Blanca.

“Overall, it was a good season,” stated captain Julia Jones, “sure, tough at times, but I think as a whole, we really improved.”

Dunn’s game against Thacher yielded some pleasing results even though it concluded with an unfortunate loss. With Dunn winning six sets, two of the games went to singles players Tiffany Vanichvaroon and two to Danielle Walker; meanwhile, one game went to senior captains and doubles partners Julia Jones and Audrey Volmer, and one to doubles team Katri Morrison-Goulias and Sunita Williams. The game was lengthy and took place on Thacher’s parents weekend. Tomorrow Dunn will be traveling to Laguna to play their final league match. Wish them luck!

Dunn Tackles Cyber-Bullying

By Janaya Reid
Dunn Student Journalist
Recently, the issue of cyber bullying has sky rocketed across the nation and in the media. Many teens are unaware as to the severe affects name calling and verbal abuse has on another. In an attempt to inform and educate the student body, each dorm recently hosted a residential chat for the underclassmen. This chat included the definition of cyber bullying and its consequences. Students shared stories and ideas along with asking questions. Faculty members explained sexting, and the different scenarios where technology can cause various issues. Cyber bullying has become a serious world-wide epidemic. Often times the definition of bullying is confused and is not taken very seriously by peers however by confronting the issue Dunn School is informing the community to help stop any incidents in the future.

Happy Halloween

Pumpkin Picking

In preparation for Halloween, a group of Dunn students and faculty members went pumpkin picking at a local farm. The group picked about 90 pumpkins for boarders to carve as a part of dorm unity.

Girls' Volleyball on Win Streak

By Casey Crawford

Dunn Student Journalist

With a 3-0 victory against Midland on Wednesday, the Dunn Girls’ Volleyball team extended their win streak to three games, all of them shutouts. Midland didn’t present much of a challenge to Dunn, and Dunn was seen substituting in girls that hadn’t seen the court this year. Emma Anderson, one of the team’s starting outside hitters, began setting in the third game, and performed brilliantly in the role. Katie Shea had another brilliant performance, and although the girls seemed to lack the explosiveness they’ve exhibited throughout the season, they still managed to take apart a weak Midland team. The girls go to Laguna Blanca next Friday to reignite the biggest rivalry of the season.

Earwigs Named #1

If the MacPreps website is not on your daily viewing list, you may have missed this:

 

 Staff Report

MaxPreps.com

Every other week, MaxPreps.com’s experts square off to tackle high school sports’ toughest questions. Today, we celebrate the nation’s most unique high school nicknames/mascots and attempt to make a case for the best.

Which high school has the nation’s most unique nickname/mascot?

Kevin Askeland, National Baseball Editor

The small town of Los Olivos, Calif., tucked away in the wine country of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, is the home of the prestigious Dunn School. The town has been the setting for films such as “Sideways” and the ever-popular made-for-TV movie “Return to Mayberry.” Former Davy Crockett star Fess Parker owns a hotel there and Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch is just a few miles away. None of this, however, explains why Dunn School's mascot is the Earwig. The earwig is an insect most notable for the forcep-like structure at the end of its abdomen. Also known as a pincher bug, the earwig was named based on an old wives tale that this insect burrowed into people's brains to lay their eggs by crawling through the ear. A member of the Dunn soccer team reportedly took on the Earwig name in the late 1970s, perhaps as a joke. The school later officially adopted the nickname in 1979. The Earwig is officially listed on the Southern Section website as that section's No. 1 most unique nickname.

Dunn Graduate Highlighted in Duke News

Nyuol Tong survived the Sudanese civil war and has made it to Duke. Now his goal is to help other survivors through education. More

Girls' Volleyball Falls Short Versus Laguna

By Casey Crawford

Dunn Student Journalist

The Dunn Girls’ Volleyball team played a tough match against Laguna Blanca on Saturday of Fall Family Weekend, but was swept 3-0, by scores of 13-25, 16-25 and 19-25.  As the match progressed, the girls' play improved, as evidenced by the score of each individual game.  The girls started the first game out of sync, but found their rhythm coming into the second and third games.  JV Coach Irvin Martin said that it was both “really intense and promising” to see the team rise to the occasion and continue to play hard through a losing situation.  The next match is this afternoon against Santa Ynez.  This will attract both students and faculty, not only because it promises to be a great match, but because the game will play a role in the D-U-N-N Olympics, as each team will try to get as many supporters there as possible.

Big Win on Fall Family Weekend

By Michael Tseng

Dunn School Student Journalist

The Dunn Football team played against Ojai Valley School on Saturday of Dunn Fall Family Weekend, and the Earwigs proved victorious 45-37.

The Earwigs gave passed only eight times in the whole game, utilizing an efficient rushing offense to run up both yardage and the score. Ken Oppenborn, a senior slot back rushed for forty yards and scored the team’s first touchdown. Connor McMorrow, senior starting tailback, also scored a rushing touchdown. Corbin Meyer, senior starting quarterback, engineered three QB sneaks and crossed the goal line a total of three times.

As the Earwigs extended the margin over the Spuds, Coach Martin filled the line up with a number of Junior Varsity players. “We had the opportunity to play our younger guys,” said the coach, “and they performed admirably. The experience should pay off for us in the future.”

Freshman Bryce McKibbin and Ryan Jones, a sophomore wide receiver, both caught long bombs from Meyer in the game and found their way into the end zone.

In front of their parents, the Earwigs played a great game against their Condor League opponent last Saturday. Congratulations to the Earwigs.

The team’s next match is at home versus Thacher on Saturday, October 23rd.

Pumpkin Carving at Dunn Middle School

It's That Time of the Year.  Dunn Middle School students brought their creative pumpkin carving skills to the front lawn of the school today and produced a wide variety of orange visages.  In the end there were more smiles on the humans than the gords, but overheard descriptions of planned coustumes may change that ratio.  How many Lady Gagas do you expect come Halloween night?

Cross Country Running Fast

By Janaya Reid
Dunn Student Journalist

In recent cross country action, the Earwigs traveled to Midland for their second Condor League meet. Confident and well prepared, the girls and boys had "one of their best races" said coach Santos. Competing with Thacher, Midland,Cate,Ojai Valley, and Laguna, the number one girl runner for the Earwigs Senior Nikole Layton ran the course in 22:25 coming in 19th out of 30 total. For the boys, Niran Figueroa placed 33rd out of 120 runners with a time of 19:35.

This strong streak continued into the friendly meet against Midland at Dunn. Coach Santos stated "this was a successful friendly meet." Similar to the Condor League meet, Nikole Layton ran a 22:30 race placing 2nd out of 11 runners. For the boys, Figueroa and Danny Cullington ran a successful race. Figueroa placed 6th out of 29 and Cullington was close behind in 8th place. Figueroa ran in 19:24 while Cullington ran 20:25. "My time improved one minute from the first Condor League meet to the second. I'm hoping at Thatcher's Friendly meet I'll be able to get under twenty-two minutes" says Captain Layton. The running Earwigs have another meet Wednesday the 27th at Thacher.

Fall Family Weekend

This year's Fall Family Weekend was highlighted by parent/teacher conferences, a picnic featuring student, faculty, parent, and alumni musicians, mini classes for parents, a college advice panel with representatives from the UC univerisites, Whittier, and Skidmore, international cuisine prepared and served by members of the multi-cultural club, and a number of athletic competitions.   Feedback from parents who attended is that the weekend was a great success.  The photos above were taken throughout the weekend:

Dunn Football Team Posts First W

By Michael Tseng
Dunn Student Journalist

Forget about the first game mistakes that plagued the Dunn Football team last weekend, the Earwigs really gave it all and pulled out a win on this past Saturday against Maricopa. The team fought until the last minute, the defense scored a two-points safety to surge into the lead; the game ended in a 22-20 victory for the Earwigs.

Dunn Football has played Maricopa every year for the past four years, and the team has always been a strong and friendly competitor. “In these four years, we lost to them on their field and won the other two games at home; I guess this year is our turn,” said Coach Martin. Nevertheless, Dunn Football also made history in this game. This is the first time ever for the Earwigs to succeed a fourth quarter comeback, “we knew we were in the ball game,” said Martin.

The game started when Ken Oppenborn, a senior defensive end, picked up a fumble against Maricopa. The team started weak on offense, but played strong on defense; Dunn caused two turnovers against Maricopa in the first quarter, including an interception from Jonny Hogan. Compared to last weekend, the Earwigs defense has grown in a quick beat.

The Earwigs fired up their offensive attack in the second quarter; Spencer Huttmann, a junior tight end caught a 20-yard toss from Quarterback Corbin Meyer and scored their first touchdown. In the third quarter, Hogan recovered the ball after Meyer ran for 40 yards and then fumbled on the one-yard line. Hogan’s recovery was good for the Earwigs’ second touchdown. Later, Meyer ran a “QB Sneak” and made their third touchdown three minutes before the clock stopped, leaving the score at 20-20. The most exciting part of the game happened when Connor McMorrow tackled a Maricopa running back and made two points safety to win the game.

In this second game, Dunn’s young players again performed tremendously well. Freshman Bryce McKibbin substituted for McMorrow at the tail back position on the second half, and McKibbin was able to run through gaps and made big plays for the team. Another freshman Jake Eisaguirre started the game as stationary guard; Eisaguirre not only helped the Dunn offense but also played a crucial role on defense.

Maybe the loss from last week made the team fight harder in this game. The crowd and all team members were the big factor to cause this first win. Cheers came out from everywhere, and it indeed bolstered the team confidence and encouraged them to stay strong on the field. Great game for the Dunn Earwigs!

The team’s next match versus Laguna Blanca on Saturday, October 2nd, away.

Earwigs Top Maricopa, 22-20

Connor McMorrow sweeps around left end during Saturday's gridiron victory.
Photo by Michael Tseng

Girls’ Tennis Remains Unbeaten with Win over Carpinteria

By Sazan Pasori

Student Journalist

Yesterday, September 22^nd, Dunn girls’ tennis ventured to Carpinteria to play in their second league match. Initially, the team was skeptical, not having played Carpinteria before, they anticipated a loss, little did they know what the outcome would be three and a-half hours later.

The team struggled in the beginning as all three doubles teams were well matched. Following a number of substitutions, the Earwigs were able to pull out a lead. Singles players Danielle Walker (sophomore), Tiffany Vanichvaroon (junior), and Hayley Harrison (senior), stayed strong through tense and long matches. Senior Ashley Song, and senior captain Audrey Volmer, played at number one doubles winning two of their three matches. Meanwhile at number two doubles, senior captain Julia Jones, and new sophomore Sunita Williams, won one of their two matches. 

After starting at number two doubles along with Katri Morrison-Goulias (freshman), new freshman Danielle McNally was substituted into number three singles where she won her match 6-0. Head coach Beth Brownson exclaimed, “She did so great! I really look forward to putting her in at number three singles. I think she’ll continue to play singles instead of doubles if she keeps playing like she did.” In a tie-breaking final match, junior Tiffany Vanichvaroon pulled out a win at 6-1. The team’s final score was 10-8. Dunn girls’ tennis now goes undefeated, and will be playing another match at home this Saturday against Besant Hill at 2pm. Come out and support!

Tiffany Vanichvaroon readies for a return in her tie-breaking match

Girls' Varsity Volleyball Sports Winning Record

Jane Pugh (left) and Maddy Carroll rise to the challenge

Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Wins Again

By Casey Crawford
Student Journalist

Behind Andie de Werd’s 12 aces and Maddie Carroll’s 9 kills, the Dunn volleyball team rebounded from a harsh loss to Mission Prep and defeated Carpinteria in a roller coaster 3-1 victory.

Dunn started off hot, with de Werd acing four in a row to open up game one, and never looked back, dominating Carp 25-8 in the first game. Emma Anderson also aced the Warriors 3 times in the first game, and Maddie Carroll got the only kill for Dunn in the first game.

However, without the hot start that led to a 4-0 lead in game one, the second game proved a bit more challenging for Dunn, and despite Maddie Carroll’s three kills and an ace, Dunn fell to Carp 22-25.

Both Carroll and de Werd took matters into their own hands in game four, with Carroll recording 4 dominant kills, and de Werd aced the Warriors 3 times with Emma Anderson finishing the game with an untouched kill right down the middle.

Once, Dunn gained the lead, it was vital to put away the match in the 4th game to prevent a frantic, “winner take all” 5th game wouldn’t let down. They struggled to put away the Warriors, blowing a 5 point lead to go down 22-21, but once again, de Werd’s serving proved vital to helping Dunn secure the victory in the 4th and lock up the match.

After the game, setter Sophia McGee was proud of her team and said, “Carp was a great team, but we communicated well, and we kept aggressive. We just played a great game.”

Earwigs Pinch the Lions

By Janaya Reid

Student Journalist

On Saturday, September 18th, Dunn Girls’ Volleyball traveled to Westmont College to play Providence High School. Initially the team felt intimidated, unaware of how well they played. However these fears were unwarranted. In the beginning of the game, the Earwigs established their authority with the help of Sophie McGee’s strong serves. The first game was a true battle of equals throughout, with Dunn getting the better of the Lions by 25-23.

In the second game, the Earwigs continued with powerful serves and Senior Katie Shea assisted with multiple kills. Several players had good runs of serves maintaining the lead over the Lions. Winning 25-11, the girls overcame their nerves and slowly gained confidence to ensure their victory. In the last game the team finally got their rhythm winning again 25-15 defeating the Lions in three consecutive games. “It felt really good” said coach Judyki “at first I wasn't sure what to expect when missing two key players Emma Anderson the setter, and Maddie Carrol a major voice on the court. Initially there were many unknowns but the teamed performed well and everybody stepped up." Coach Norris followed with “everyone got excited and stepped up, it was awesome!"

The Earwigs finished the game with eighteen aces.

Girls’ Volleyball Victorious over Orcutt

By Casey Crawford

Student Journalist

With a dominant performance against Orcutt, the girls’ volleyball team started its season off with a win on the road. Katie Shea led the charge against the Spartans with three aces in the first game alone and a winning kill in the second game. Cleo Cleary and Sophia McGee also turned in brilliant performances, with both holding ace streaks of at least four, and the Earwigs rolled past Orcutt in three games. Dunn’s point of strength was its serving, as the girls racked up ace after ace, and replicated their performance from last year, in which they took apart the Spartans in three games.



Earwig Football Suffers Loss in Season Opener

By Michael Tseng
Dunn School Journalist

This past Saturday, the Earwigs lost their first game at home in a non-league competition against Valley Christian Academy. The game ended in a 33-14 victory for VCA Lions.

On the first play of the game, Connor McMorrow, a senior captain, returned the opening kickoff 20 yards. However, the Dunn offensive line could not get McMorrow to break through VCA’s defensive “wall” in the first half. The VCA’s ground game was a big factor in the Earwig’s loss. Junior halfback, Dustin Taylor, from VCA rushed 121 yards and a touchdown in 23 carries. The Dunn defense is still young, which allowed VCA’s running backs many opportunities to score.

Throughout the game, the two captains McMorrow and Corbin Meyer played well on both defense and offense. Meyer, the first string quarterback rushed 30 yards to the one yard line setting up the team’s first touchdown of the 2010 season. McMorrow played well on defense, leading the team in tackles.

“Our young players gave a wonderful effort in this game,” said Coach Martin. Freshman Bryce Mckibben received a 10 yards toss from Meyer and rushed for another 40 yard run to score Dunn’s second touchdown, and another freshman Jake Eisaguirre played defense during the first quarter and made big tackles showing his potential in this 8-man football game. Jonny Hogan, a junior receiver caught some long bombs from Meyer and gave an outstanding performance in his first game.

Even though Dunn football had to suffer their first lose on their home field, this will remind them to work even harder on daily practices before facing their first league game in two weeks against Laguna Blanca. This game not only presented the team’s great spirit in staying in the game, but it also showed a good potential for Dunn players to improve in future games. “We definitely have lots of space to improve, but I am really happy to see these younger kids stand up for the team,” McMorrow said.

The team’s next match versus Maricopa on Saturday, September 25th, at home.



On left, Jonny Hogan leaps to make a completed pass from QB Corbin Meyer (right)

photos by Alex Glick-Howe



Nancy Yaki Selected as Art Juror

Dunn's art teacher and professional artist Nancy Yaki has been selected as a juror by the Artists Guild of the Santa Ynez Valley.   She will be adjudicating adult art shows in Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Buellton.

Mrs. Yaki is well known in the Valley and far beyond for her work in a wide range of mediums. Never content to repeat herself, Mrs.Yaki morphs easily through media and ideas.  Her body of work ranges from photorealistic detail to bold non-representation.  Her works have been internationally published on book covers, in calendars, datebooks and greeting cards, and have also been selected to appear in many periodicals including American Artist and Art in America.

"It's an honor to be asked to judge the work of the many outstanding artists who are members of the Guild," said Mrs. Yaki.  "I know how important it is for artists to hear from other artists.  We're always trying to push ourselves and juried exhibits and feedback are a great way to help achieve that."   

The Artists Guild of the Santa Ynez Valley is a non-profit organization open to all artists and supporters of the arts. Its purpose is to encourage artists to grow in artistic ability, to enable them to exhibit their works for sale, and to promote artistic awareness in the community-at-large.


Approximately 120 members support Guild activities and are eligible to show their original fine art in the Guild Room at the Gallery Los Olivos. Guild membership includes both amateur and professional artists, who work in a wide range of media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil, collage, mixed media, color and B&W photography, photo-based digital art, and fiber art.

Nancy Yaki's artistic rendition of "The Schoolhouse" that serves as Dunn's music room.  Matt Yaki, Nancy's husband, is the Director of Music at Dunn and a professional musician in his own right.  For more information about the Yakis, and Dunn's art program and other art teachers, please click on http://www.dunnschool.org/arts.html

Football Team Hits the Gridiron Tomorrow

Dunn Football Looks for Winning Season

By Michael Tseng


Phil Martin, the Athletic Director of Dunn School, founded the Dunn Football program in the fall of 2005. The team has grown stronger within these five years, and it has gained more and more attention from all Condor League competitors.

Dunn Football will have five home games this season. In the Condor League games, the team finished with a record of 2-2 last season. “Finish with a winning season has become our goal since the first practice of the year,” Martin said. The team will work hard in order to accomplish this goal throughout the whole season.

Heading into its sixth year, the team has graduated some key players last May. However, with many new members joining the team, Dunn football has a bright future. The Earwigs are led by two seniors captains, Corbin Meyer and Connor McMorrow. Meyer, who has been the first string quarterback for the past three years, is likely to lead the team to a successful season. “It has been great, and I really hope we will get a winning record,” said Meyer, who enjoys his high school football career at Dunn greatly and is hoping to continue playing football after high school.

McMorrow, the recipient of the 2010 Tom Holmes’ Football award, will also play an important role in leading this year’s team. Comparing Dunn Football to other Condor League teams, it is still quite young. However, team spirit has always been the strongest advantage of the program. “Last year, the seniors were both cohesive and individual; but, the seniors this year seem more approachable and more involved with every team member,” said Martin, who believes the team spirit this year is very high. Gaining many young players to the team, Coach Martin expects great things from them. “We want these kids to learn the game and love the game,” said Martin. Not only does Coach Martin look forward to seeing new players show their potential, but also Meyer. “I hope they give what all they have got, and work hard for playing time,” Meyer said.

With the experienced seniors and a talented pool of new players, the team is ready to fight and expects to have a winning season. Nevertheless, Dunn Football doesn’t just care about winning, but most importantly is to have fun, and this is the reason why Dunn Football players work so hard every single day. Join our students in wishing our Dunn Football team has a wonderful season, and see you on the field!

Coach Martin pointing the way to the endzone

Today is Picture Day

Photos were taken of all students and all classes in the Upper School today.  Lots of smiles were caught through the lens.

Girls' Tennis Sweeps Besant Hill

Sazan Pasori filed the following report:

Hayley Harrison at the net

 On the hard courts yesterday,  Dunn hosted the girls’ tennis match versus Besant Hill. This is Besant Hills’ first year competing as a girls’ varsity team, and that played to Dunn’s 9-0 advantage. Senior, Hayley Harrison mentioned that even though their opponents brought only six players, their efforts were admirable.




On the right: Sunita and Anita Williams

  Dunn was able to play their experienced and inexperienced players, resulting in sweeping victories. Number one singles player Danielle Walker pulled out a win in a 6-4 match, while number two singles Tiffany Vanichvaroon won both her matches by 6-4 and 6-2. Dunn's own tennis Willams' sisters, Anita (freshman) and Sunita (sophomore), played at number two doubles and won their matches at 7-6 and 6-0.  Freshmen Danielle Walker and Katri Morrison-Goulias played at number one doubles in a tight match scoring 7-6.  






Playing #1 Singles, Danielle Walker

Dunn also substituted Erielle Webber and Keenan Manpearl, two new freshmen, as well as returning junior Magdalena Hernandez and new freshman Carolyn Dorwin. Wednesday’s success was “really good,” stated captain Julia Jones, “I was really impressed by our team’s sportsmanship, especially since we outnumbered the opponent, and had the opportunity to act out, or play unfairly, but we didn’t.” The team's next match versus Carpinteria on Wednesday, September 22^nd, at home.



















2010-2011 Edition of the Dunn School Academy Opens Tomorrow

Ralph Lowe '70 has taught at Dunn for more than two decades and has been running the Academy for a good part of that time.  Below is his introduction to this year's edition:

This marks what I believe is the fifteenth year that the Dunn Upper School as convened as a cabal of academics intent on pushing back the specter of dementia, intellectual torpor, complacency or all three of those scourges. It has been a tumultuous ride and I, for one, hope it continues as such.

The Academy is named after the olive farmer Academus who rented his olive grove not far from the Agora in the village of Athens. His first tenant was a man named Plato and he had a student named Aristotle among others who met in the grove to jumpstart history and name the world. Their symposia (drinking parties) were famous, their midnight ramblings, Diogenes led, all set out from the grove of a farmer was immortalized for his prudence or taste or courage as a landlord much like John Harvard two and one half thousand years later.

We call it the Academy because we meet to ask the “impertinent questions” that fuel debate and stock the shelves of the marketplace of ideas. There are very few rules. We all vote on what we will read. We eat lunch and argue or make jokes. Every edition of the Academy is as different as the members each year. The only expectation is that you try your best to attend and once there try your best to be interesting.

We will meet in Ralph’s classroom (the Conference Room is our usual venue) Friday. Bring your lunch. We can begin work on the architecture of this year’s edition.

Girls' Volleyball Team Begins Season with a Victory

Click here to read today's story in the Santa Maria Times.

Girls' Tennis Begins Season Tomorrow

Besant Hill visits Dunn tomorrow to challenge the Earwigs on our hard courts.  Senior Sazan Pasori has followed the pre-season activites of the Girls' Tennis Team and filed the following report:

New Players Strengthen Girls’ Tennis Team

By Sazan Pasori

As the new school year begins to set in, the Dunn Girls’ Tennis season follows. You may see the girls running campus loops, perhaps shagging stray tennis balls in the nearby field, but usually the players are rallying back and forth on the lower campus courts. Under the coaching of Ms. Brownson and Mr. Fox, Dunn Girls’ Tennis is a new team, not only within the Condor League, but also within our local region, playing schools like Carpinteria and Orcutt Charter. “I think we’re going to be a little stronger than last year,” stated head coach, Beth Brownson, “because we’ve got some strong new players. We’re still going to have a struggle with certain teams...but some of our players are going to give them some really good matches.”

Last year, the team was lead by senior captain Vanessa Bell, who has since graduated and therefore left an open spot at number one singles. So, who will be number one singles? “Danielle Walker is our [team’s] very good new sophomore. She’s going to be a real asset to our team, and I can’t wait to see her play her first match,” commented Coach Brownson.

Senior captains Audrey Volmer and Julia Jones look forward to the new season, and Jones states, “Our team has a range of talent, and I look forward to seeing where we end up.” Meanwhile, current senior Hayley Harrison may move into the number one spot at doubles, if she is not playing as number two or three singles. Harrison has been on the team for four years. After a previously postponed game, the girls’ tennis team will be playing Besant Hill’s varsity team in a match on Dunn’s home courts, tomorrow at 2:00pm. The girls’ tennis team at Besant Hill is new to the Condor League and Dunn is ready to start the new season against a new team.

Girls' Volleyball Starts Season Tomorrow

The 2010 edition of the Girls' Volleyball Team begins tomorrow with a match against Orcutt.  Senior Casey Crawford filed the following preview of the Earwigs chances this season:

Girls’ Volleyball Team Adds New Talent to Experience

By Casey Crawford

After a somewhat disappointing season in 2009, the girls’ volleyball team may have just what they need this year: experience. As the team looks to improve from last season, it is important to note that it has been under different leadership for the past four years. With incoming freshmen Andie de Werd and Emma Anderson, the team is looking to young talent to add to an already tested team. Returning starters Katie Shea, Maddie Carroll, Sophia McGee, and Jayne Pugh have had another year to mature and hope to make a bigger impact on the girls’ upcoming season.

Shea, the team’s captain and only senior, has high expectations for the new talent. “I think we’re better this year… We have Emma, who will be really beneficial to the team as a setter and Andie, who can pick up nearly anything that’s driven at her.”

Head Coach Nuala Judycki also has hopes for the incoming freshman; however, she recognizes that there is still some room to grow. “It’s going to be hard for Emma to become a setter unless she starts to take on more of a leadership role, and I think with time, she can only get better as she becomes more comfortable with her ability” Judycki said before practice.

Since the departure of Sam Maas (’09), the role of setter has become problematic for the team. However, this year, the team looks to sophomore Sophia McGee provide a much-needed lift. The Earwigs plan to run two setters, with McGee and Anderson splitting the role. Katie Shea, the only player to live through the aforementioned change of coaching, expressed confidence in Judycki, the former boys’ coach. “I think she knows what she is talking about, and she’s definitely leading a young team in the right direction.” Judycki, returning to girls’ volleyball for the first time since 2000 is looking forward to coaching girls and is excited to see them perform. Looking to achieve success similar to that of the 2008 team which featured Kasey Rose(’09), Amber Mirabello(’11), and Sam Maas(’09), Judycki is very confident in this year’s team. “I think [the team] is amazing… I’m hoping we go far.”

"Invisible Children" Visible at Dunn

Members of Invisible Children pose with Helena Avery of Dunn's Amnesty International Club.  L to r:  Ms. Avery, Leo Okettayot, Susie Goddard, Papito Francis, and Bryn Hobson

Hosted by Dunn's Amnesty International Club, representatives of the Invisivle Children organization visited Dunn today to present a film and answer questions about what they do. From their website: "We use the power of media to inspire young people to help end the longest running war in Africa. Our model has proven effective, and hundreds of thousands of people have been called to action through our films and the volunteers that tour them.


We are made up of a tireless staff, hundreds of full time volunteers, and thousands of students and supporters. We are young, we are citizens of the world, we are artists, activists, and entrepreneurs. This fall, we are using our voice to ask President Obama to spearhead efforts to bring peace to Northern Uganda. We are mobilizing a generation to capture the attention of the international community, and make a stand for justice in the wake of genocide."

Click here to view the Invisible Children website.

Dunn students check out the Invisible Children display after the presentation in the barn.  Purchases of items help support the organization's goal of ending child soldiers in the Ugandan rebel war.

Ted Alemayhu '91 on Africa

Click here to view a short video on plans for Dunn School to become involved in the U.S. Doctors for Africa program.  The speaker in Dunn graduate Ted Alemayhu '91, the founder and Director of USDFA.

Girls' Tennis Opens Fall Athletic Season

 Pictured is Hayley Harrison, Senior, and current member of the Dunn Girls' Tennis Team during a recent practice session.. This is Hayley's fourth year on the team, and she looks forward to leading the team as an experienced player.  The team's first match is this Saturday at 2 pm at home against Besant Hill.

Dunn Handshake Day

 

Dunn's Third Annual Handshake Day was a great success.  The entire Dunn student body, faculty and staff met on Munger Common and greeted each other with a handshake and/or hug or both.  Photos of the Dunn Middle School students and faculty were taken, followed by photos of the Upper School and finally photos of the entire school community, grades 6 - 12.  After all hands were shaken, the Class of 2011 formed a gauntlet that students ran through to find ice cream sundaes at the end.

The event ended with a lot of smiles