The Nexus

• Merryman challenges himself with college calculus

  October 03, 2008  |  Kevin Crowley
  Where some students see difficult math, numbers and letters and integrals, Alex Merryman (12) sees a goal, one that he’s had since elementary school. He sees a college he’s pursued and the dream job as a ride designer at Disney it would help him land.

• Through the ranks: Wickens earns black belt

  October 03, 2008  |  Melissa Truong
  For her entire life, Danielle Wickens (11) had been a student. Today, however, she had become the teacher.

• Dedicated to religion, MSA

  October 03, 2008  |  Nicole Kush
  Zainab Badi (11) listened to her teacher as she eyed the clock—it was time to pray.

• Taking language inspires Wilcox to pursue career

  October 03, 2008  |  Yoojin Kim
  As a home-schooled student in eighth grade, Heather Wilcox (12) stared blankly at the pages of the Spanish workbook in front of her. She picked up her pen to start writing, then put it back down, wondering why a second language was necessary.

• Student band Antique steps up

  October 03, 2008  |  Andra Kovacs
  Nearly a hundred people willingly crammed inside of a hot, uncomfortable 100 square-foot coffee shop to witness where it all began. One could feel the excitement and nerves as the newfound band, Antique, performed for the first time in front of a live audience. Most of the crowd, being the band’s friends or acquaintances, showed admiration for the raw talent the boys had kept hidden for so long.

• Team Spirit plays important teambuilding role in sports

  October 03, 2008  |  Ashley Moy
  With music blasting from the stereo and her field hockey teammates sitting around her on the garage floor, Malia Robertson (10) laughed and chatted with her new friend, Sarah Haggerty (12).

• 'Pandamonium' aims for perfection

  October 03, 2008  |  George Jeng
  There wasn’t much Alexis Osborne (12) could do as she saw her teammates go down one by one. As much as Osborne wanted to help her teammates, it is illegal for spectators to coach the team. Soon, her entire team was tagged out by hostile paintballs.

• Stine, Nguyen create trade from crafts

  October 03, 2008  |  Helen Bavin
  As Jessica Stine (12) walked through a random aisle at Michael’s two years ago, she came across a group of plain tote bags. She decided to buy one as ideas circulated through her mind about what she could add to it, making it her own.

• Lafferty balances consistency, speed in switching classrooms

  October 03, 2008  |  Ashley Moy
  “Okay, everyone. It’s time to head for homeroom,” English 1-2 teacher Karen Lafferty said to her class in D-103. It was one minute until first period ended.

• Family memories made on campus

  October 03, 2008  |  Yoojin Kim
  While Mark Lutgen (9) ate lunch with his friends in the plaza, he waved to his dad, social science teacher Dan Lutgen, who walked by. A few minutes later, Mark’s mom, math teacher Jayne Lutgen passed by, telling Mark that he would be going home with her. This year, three of the four Lutgen family members are on campus. Being at the same school gives the parents an opportunity to share extra time with Mark before he heads off to college.

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