Volume 12
Local Business Excursions
On Friday, April 26th, AVA students split into groups to go on three different local excursions: pottery at Clay on Steele, yoga at Roots, and tree planting at Shivering Sands. At Clay on Steele, students learned how to use the pottery wheel and created bowls and planters. At Roots Yoga and Healing, students learned about different breathing techniques and did the tree pose, the cobra, savasana, and butterfly pose. Lastly, at Shivering Sands, students planted 150 trees.
Hackathon for Social Change
Freshmen, Estella and Claire, were part of a Hackathon for Social Change hosted by WE in the WORLD. For the competition, they had to pick an inequality and propose how to solve it. Claire and Estella chose to look at resources available to rural youth and how this relates to the education system. Claire and Estella’s project won the Youth competition. Congrats!
Costa Rica Inquiry Project
- There is a group of students going to Costa Rica next spring to learn about different cultures and environments. As a prerequisite for the trip, all the students have to do an inquiry project to learn about Costa Rica. Here are some examples of students projects:
- Berkley is learning about animal characteristics and wildlife in Costa Rica for her inquiry project.
- Lane is researching biotic factors and is working on his final product.
- Aiden Jorns is researching the demographics and population of Costa Rica.
- Bree is looking at pop culture and celebrities that are native to Costa Rica.
These students’ projects are well thought out and exciting. The students are proud of their tremendous work and responsibility they have shown in their Costa Rica inquiry projects and the organization of the fundraisers to help fund the trip.
Real Estate Job Shadow
Juniors, Hannah and Aiden did a job shadow with a local real estate company.They learned about what goes into listing a property and then showing a property. Hannah and Aiden learned how to appraise properties for owners. Aiden said his favorite part of the job shadow was going to see the listing and seeing the ups and downs of buying a house. Hannah said her favorite part of the job shadow was being able to talk to Kathy about everything real estate. They covered everything from different commission rates to everything that went into a contract. Hannah also enjoyed being able to look at a house that was set up for walk-throughs.
Upcoming Events
- After School Movie @ the Algoma Public Library May 3, 2024 3:00 PM
- First Friday @ Downtown Algoma May 3, 2024 5:00 PM
- Mother’s Day Brunch @ Northbrook Golf & Grill May 12, 2024 From 9:30-2:30
Student Spot
This volume’s featured student is… Hunter Roesch
Hunter joined AVA this year. We have seen his PBL skills grow throughout the year and have been impressed with his willingness to try new things and explore areas of personal interest. Hunter has been involved in N.O.W Lettuce Production as one of the assistant farm managers and also has been exploring one of his passions, aviation, throughout the year. We can’t wait to see what Hunter accomplishes in the future!
World News
Morris dance May Day celebrations across region
Written by: BBC on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Morris dancers in the East Midlands have performed traditional May Day routines across the region.
A number of groups in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire headed for high ground as the sun came up on Wednesday to perform their dances.
Morris dancing sees performers holding handkerchiefs, and clashing sticks or swords, to the accompaniment of folk music.
Many dancers also wear hats and attach bells to their legs.
Among the groups taking part included the Rattlejag Morris group, which came together at Laxton Castle, near Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, from 05:30 BST.
Chris Rose, who helped organise the event, said: “We started doing it in about 1988 and we’ve done this every year since – with a year off for Covid and for foot and mouth disease.
“We all start the event with a bit of singing and sing a traditional song Hal-an-Tow, and then we dance for about 35 or 40 minutes.
“It’s a magical event – you see people coming across the fields; you gather together and it’s a really wonderful experience.”
The Leicester Morris group started their celebrations a little later from 07:00 in Bradgate Park.
They started their routine in front of the local landmark known as Old John.
Charlie Corcoran, the group’s “bagman”, a role he has held since 1978, said: “For more than 20 years now we have come to Bradgate Park and danced by Old John.
“Most years – evening when it’s raining – people will come along and enjoy the celebration with us.
“There’s always a few dog walkers and some hardcore of people who will get up early to come and watch.
“The tradition is very important and it’s important for us to keep that going. Not only that but it’s a very sociable thing and you end up making lifelong friends.”
The Morris dancing tradition dates back at least to the 1400s and dancers in Leicester were mentioned in court records in 1599, the group said.
‘Burst of energy’
Last year, the Leicester Morris group marked their 70th year of dancing in and around the city.
Elsewhere in the region, the Ripley Morris in Derbyshire is due to come together on Wednesday evening, meeting at the Horse and Jockey pub in Selston, Nottinghamshire.
The group’s bagman, Alex Bowness, said this year marks his 50th year of dancing.
He added: “We used to get up at dawn a long time ago but not anymore.
“There’s so many folk songs about May and traditions about this being a key date for the start of the farming calendar so we come together to dance to them.
“It’s now my 50th year of dancing and it’s the people that keep you going. You just enjoy being involved with something with people who have a similar outlook.
“I wouldn’t really say it keeps me fit; you you can imagine there’s a burst of energy, but that is soon followed by a pint.”
