The MUS Lower School Blog

Model UN results

Mr. Tenent writes: On December 5, thirty eight Lower Schoolers attended the 7^th Annual YMCA Middle School Model United Nations at the Memphis City Council Chambers. During the program, students represented different United Nations countries presenting resolutions to committees in the morning, and in the afternoon the entire group assembled to hear selected resolutions in the General Assembly. These resolutions range from education reform in Honduras to efforts towards eradication of child exploitation in Uganda.

MUS had three different resolutions presented to the general assembly. Spencer Richey and Nick Dimento represented Somalia and presented their resolution on Aiding Somali’s in their Fight against Islamic Rebels. Nick and Spencer’s resolution passed in the General Assembly. Shivam Bhakta and Tejvir Vaghela represented Burkina Faso and presented their resolution on Fighting Malnutrition in Burkina Faso. Shivam and Tejvir’s resolution also passed in General Assembly. Finally, Aditya Shah, Chris Galvin, and Jackson Roberts represented the Republic of Nigeria. In their resolution the boys presented on the subject of having a fixed percentage of Nigerian oil revenues from foreign oil corporations allocated to provide beneficial funds for national needs. Their resolution passed in general assembly as well.

Overall the boys did very well in the conference. Aditya Shah, Jeremy Boshwit, and Andrew Elsakr were all acknowledged as Outstanding Delegates. Congratulations to all who participated!

Model UN boys throwing the U! 

Spelling Bee champion

During Lower School assembly on Monday, December 7, in the Dunavant Lecture Hall, the 2009-2010 Lower School Spell-off selected seventh-grader Andrew ELSAKR as MUS's spelling champion and representative to the Memphis-Shelby County Spelling Bee on February 6 at the Al Chymia Shrine Temple.

Seventh grader, Andrew Elsakr, receives congratulations from King Bee Mr. Terry Shelton (L) and Bee Keeper Mr. Spencer Reese following today's championship round in the Dunavant Lecture Hall. Andrew survives to compete in the 2010 Shelby County Championships in February. 

Six Lower School boys qualified for the spell-off by placing among the top three finishers in two preliminary spelling bees in October and November. Today's finalists assemble following their heated joustings: Pictured from left to right are Zack Spisak, Marshall Sullivan, Mr. Shelton, Alex Carter, Baty Daniel, Mr. Reese, Michael Carter, and Andrew Elsakr.

In the spell-off the six contestants gradually fined down to ELSAKR and DANIEL, with the lead switching several times as they paced through such words as anticoagulant, conundrum, and palatable, until  DANIEL slipped on analogize, which ELSAKR spelled correctly.  Then, tension high, the champ accurately spelled infatuation to clinch his win.

 English teachers Sally ASKEW, Spencer REESE, Terry SHELTON, and Dax TORREY conducted the three bees.

For those going to tonight's game

It's going to be cold tonight in Cookeville, Tennessee (check the weather with this link). My experience with our students, bright and precious as they are, tells me that they can sometimes underestimate the realities associated with a road trip football game in December. I know, I know, call me crazy. Just to humor me, please break all the rules just this one time, and consider bringing Junior a good cold gear repertoire, with enough cash to procure some hot coco. He'll say that he doesn't want to look "uncool," in more or less words, but feeling warm trumps potential adolescent ignoramus fashion sense. He'll thank you later.

Wrestling results

The following boys medaled this weekend at the Collierville Open Wrestling Tournament:

John Kakales - 1st Place

Geoffrey Knowlton - 1st Place

Thorton Brooksbank - 2nd Place

Walker Sims - 2nd Place

Let them gain their independence

Encouraging resilience. Allowing failure. How to let go without letting them down? Hands-on "shape and mold" vs. learning when to back off. What price do children pay for parent's overprotection? Wow. These challenging issues were addressed this morning by TIME Magazine's Nancy Gibbs and Dr. Gayle Saltz on this morning's TODAY. We should consider an opportunity to have a constructive Coffee Talk about their discussion one day soon. Thanks to Mrs. Schuhmacher for bringing it to our attention.

Swimmers win

Congratulations to the Lower School Swim Team for winning their 1st meet of the season. 

MUS - 65
St. George's - 45
MHEA - 43
St. Francis - 39
St. Dominic - 10
White Station - 6

Also, congratulations to the 100-yard Medley Relay Team of Thornton Brooksbank, Austin Dobbs, Sherman Tabor, and Pierce Rose for setting a new SHELBY COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL RECORD with a time of 56.36.  This shattered the old record of 1:00.89.

The next meet will be Saturday, December 12 at the Germantown Athletic Club.  It should start no earlier than noon.  Email Coach Whitney at weclark@memphis.edu about whether you will be there or not.

Honor Council presentation

Today in Lower School assembly, the Honor Council presented some practical and philosophical information for the boys, led by faculty sponsors Mr. Terry Shelton and Mr. Elliott Dent. Please view and enjoy.

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

XBox Tournament a success

Consequent to winning the First Annual Lower School Civic Service XBox Tournament, teammates Conor Dowling and Luke Stallings have earned a Grub Day and front-of-lunchline pass for today. Alex Creson and Keegan Jones were defeated in the finals, but remain enrolled in school and displaying sound mind.

Special thanks to President Ettingoff and Sr. VP John Valentine for orchestrating the activity, displaying quality leadership in their creativity and follow-through. The event raised $115 for charity and involved 14 teams.

Wrestling info, directions to meets

The Lower School  wrestlers open their season tomorrow evening at Briarcrest High School. Wrestling will begin at 6:00 p.m. in their Middle School cafeteria. We will also be wrestling against St. George as well.  The competition should end around 8:30 p.m. 

The next competition date for the wrestlers will be Saturday, November 28 (for those wrestlers who will be in town) at Collierville High School (expect to arrive at 9:00 a.m. and wrestle at 10).  We will also be wrestling in tournaments December 12 at St. George's, Collierville and Germantown High School December 19 with more details to follow later on these tournaments.

It's not too early to think about college

Valuable college advice is hard to come by, but when I encounter wisdom, I pass it along. As exams approach, you may want to consider this for the boys. Enjoy.