Annie Wright School - Shield Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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The Upper School traditionally starts the year with Orienta- tion, and this year it was held at Camp Lake Retreat. The purpose of this annual three day event is to get acquaint- ed with new classmates and faculty in a relaxed atmo- sphere. Everyone got into the spirit by becoming involved in such games as Personality Bingo, Tug-o-war, and Annie Trivia. The juniors really started the year off with a bang by igniting the junior-senior rivalry. The juniors confiscated all of the seniors ' sleeping bags in broad daylight and left a cherry red tomato in its place. Later that night the sleep- ing bags were returned in a semi-orderly fashion, un- harmed by the day ' s events. Because of the community feeling established at Orientation, it proved to be very beneficial for all involved. The Middle School had a grand time getting to know one another during Orientation. What a wonderful way to get the year off to a rousing start! They returned to Camp Killoqua. with its great waterfront and dark trails. They searched for their jungle breakfast in the woods, in dra- ma they melted like ice cubes, and they planned family skits. They also built huge newspaper towers, played Dog- patch relays, and decorated paper airplanes. They also got to cook their dinner over the fire each night and sing at the campfire. Besides developing such culinary delights, they learned about each other, their teachers, and about the AWS Middle School. The Lower School had an enthusiastic start to a great year. The students were able to see old friends who were gone over the summer and to get acquainted with soon- to-be new friends. The students also saw some of their former teachers and were able to get to know their teachers for this year. The classes were able to interact during the annual Ice Cream Day. During this festival, the fifth grade enjoyed fresh homemade ice cream and the company of their peers. It was a great chance for the students and teachers to relax and enjoy their time to- gether as friends instead of students and teachers. Teachers and stu- dents untangle their knot at U.S. Orienta- tion. Registration is a time to fix all last minute problems. 12

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AWS Academics ... A Different Perspective The Annie Wright School adheres to the philosophy that a strong educational program nurtures the intellectual social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the students. With small classes, a challenging curriculum and a wide range of extracurricular ac- tivities, AWS gives students the opportunities that they need to gain self-confidence, to assume leadership and to learn to think. The Lower School ' s enriched pro- gram for average to above average students emphasizes the mastery of basic skills but also introduces students to other areas of learning not typically found in elementary schools. The Middle School offers a program with small classes which builds academic skills, independent study habits and the ability to work with others. Emphasizing a rigorous college-preparatory program, the Upper School chal- lenges the students with a liberal arts curriculum that requires them to earn more credits than the minimum required for college en- trance. Overall, AWS provides small classes so that teachers are able to appreciate their students as individuals. Students benefit from the diverse student body and the innumerable opportuni- ties for leadership. AWS makes us think about the future, about where we ' re going. The teachers ask us to do our best and a result of that is we want to do the best for ourselves. -Jennifer Haley ' The classes are rather challenging and stressful. -Trina Schoenberg 14