Lausanne Collegiate School

Lausanne's Upper School Choir presented their winter choral performance on Wednesday in Elder Performing Arts Center, sharing the beautiful arrangements they've been working on this year. Thanks to Katie Shea, Lausanne's Choir Director, and Dr. Sean Ye, their accompanist. Amazing work, Lynx!

Congratulations to the 15 Lausanne artists that took home 30 awards at this year's Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, including 11 Gold Keys! Read more about the awards on our website at https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/lynx-earn-30-scholastic-art-awards

Congratulations to the 15 Lausanne artists that took home 30 awards at this year's Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, including 11 Gold Keys! Read more about the awards on our website at https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/lynx-earn-30-scholastic-art-awards

Congrats to Malaika Kumar '23 for being selected as the December Youth Excellence Award recipient by the Germantown Education Committee.

As a well-rounded individual and model IB student, Malaika earned the award for always taking on an academic challenge, displaying a tenacious work ethic, maturity, inquisitiveness and a positive, joyful attitude. Outside the classroom, Malaika spends time developing her skills as a talented singer and songwriter, volunteering within the community, and participating in multiple clubs, among many others.

Read more about Malaika's achievement in the article featured on the City of Germantown website below:
https://www.germantown-tn.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7746/30

Fifth-Grade theatre students performed in front of an eager audience of kindergartners this morning during a Readers' Theatre adaption of the children's book Goldilocks and The Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems and The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.

Readers' Theatre offers students a strategic approach to reading, writing, listening and speaking and integrates new ways to learn storytelling basics and explore character and voice on the stage.

"Our 5th graders love to interact with our younger students, and this was an excellent way for them to show the kindergartners a different way of performing while getting them excited to read these books themselves," shared Middle School Theatre teacher Ashley-Bugg Brown.

Thanks to partnerships with Wolf River Conservancy, Memphis Food Bank and other organizations, LynxServe has achieved significant community outreach over the years. Now, the program’s co-presidents Nikhita Srinivas ‘23 and Hayley McManic ‘23 and vice-president Evan Lewellyn ‘23 are using their positions to further amplify student service efforts by teaming up with organizations on campus.

“LynxServe is aiming to become more integrated with the school through collaboration with other clubs,” Evan said. “In the last year, our focus has been on collaborating with school environmental groups, the National Honor Society and the Student Government Association (SGA) in order to become a pillar at Lausanne.”

Read more about the trio's community engagement initiatives below:
https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/lynxserve-leadership-amplifies-civic-engagement-across-campus

Middle School Students Collaborate To Create Pop Art

30 Lausanne Middle School students came together to create one unique piece of art that now hangs in the Upper Middle School stairwell.

Called Pop Art, the popsicle mosaic features individual squares from each student in the eighth-grade Advanced STEAM class. Each square was then put together to create one large collaborative piece.

Middle School Students Collaborate To Create Pop Art 30 Lausanne Middle School students came together to create one unique piece of art that now hangs in the Upper Middle School stairwell. Called Pop Art, the popsicle mosaic features individual squares from each student in the ___ class. Each square was then put together to create one large collabora...

Students Come Together To Form Student Activity Council

On Wednesday, eight students in Middle School held their second meeting of the re-instated Student Advisory Council (SAC).

Made up of a diverse group of two students from each grade level and headed by Middle School counselor Amanda Pearson, the group’s goal is to give the students a voice and better understand the current issues they are facing.

Students Come Together To Form Student Activity Council On Wednesday, eight students in Middle School held their second meeting of the re-instated Student Advisory Council (SAC).Made up of a diverse group of two students from each grade level and headed by Middle School counselor Amanda Pearson, the group’s goal is to give the students a voice and bett...

We're enjoying this sunny weather on campus, but a little snow would have been perfect for the robotic dog sled teams our Senior Kindergarteners created in Makespace!

The SK students used Mouse and Go Robots and various recycled materials to make their dog sledding crews, which tied into a recent lesson on the different types of transportation.

Unlike cars that use wheels, students observed how the bottoms were more like skis and had to brainstorm various ways to make the sleds smooth enough to move with the robot pushing them forward.

"We also explored how the weight of our sleds made a difference in how fast our sleds went and used that to determine speed," A.N.T.S/Makerspace teacher Lindy Roberson shared. "The students had a lot of fun while gaining a new perspective on transportation."

Neither snow, sleet, nor rain can stop our incredible maintenance crew from ensuring our campus always stays in tip-top shape. Even through freezing temps over winter break and today's downpour, maintenance made sure our Lynx have the best learning environment!

Thank you to Mr. Dan, Mr. Patrick, Mr. Kevin, Mr. Irvan, Ms. Tishuna and Ms. Alice for all you do for Lausanne! 💙💛

Lausanne kicked off the new year by welcoming back seven alumni who spoke to our Upper School students during Lausanne's annual Young Alumni Panel today.

The graduates, ranging from the classes of 2015-2022, shared the experiences that led them to choose their colleges, universities, graduate programs, internships and careers.

The panel provided insight into how Lausanne prepared them for the future, what to expect when entering college and if they would have done anything differently if they were to go through the college process again.

Read more about the alumni panel below:
https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/lausanne-graduates-return-to-campus-for-annual-young-alumni-panel

Families and friends gathered in the Lower School music room before break for Lausanne’s annual Spelling Bee.

With student winners from Lower and Middle School grade levels, each one took a turn at the microphone spelling out the words given to them. The students included:

First Grade: Eliana Abramson
Second Grade: George Beylerian
Third Grade: Aariz Nansiyani
Fourth Grade: Rhiya Ramachandran
Fifth Grade: Devi Weber
Sixth Grade: Vivaan Anand
Seventh Grade: Alexandra Barrasso
Eighth Grade: Brogan Ratliff

In total, the Lausanne Spelling Bee went 20 rounds, with Rhiya Ramachandran ’31 winning by spelling the word -- winning word “unsettling.” The runner-up: was Vivaan Anand ’29.

Our Junior Kindergarten artists had the opportunity to showcase recent creations with family members and friends during the annual JK Art Show.

The annual event is a part of the Primary Years Programme unit, "How We Express Ourselves." Students learned about various famous artists and used their techniques as inspiration for their own artwork.

Vincent VanGogh, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollack are just a few who inspired the bright and beautiful pieces on display at this year's show.

It isn't every day that you get to listen to and ask questions of a space explorer. Lausanne Lower School students got just that chance as they heard from Hayley Arceneaux, who took a ride to space on a SpaceX rocket in September of 2021.

Arceneaux blasted off in Inspiiration4, on a mission that marked the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit. The rocket was named in recognition of the four-person crew that raised awareness and over $240 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Read more: https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/lower-school-students-hear-from-spacex-explorer

IB Business Management Students Takes Virtual Tour Of Amazon

In correlation with their curriculum, IB Business Management students explored how computer science, engineering and Amazon's warehouse employees help ensure online purchases reach customers' doorsteps even during the holiday season, the retail giant's busiest time of year.

Students had the opportunity to engage in an hour-long virtual tour of Amazon's Milwaukee and Chatanooga fulfillment centers. The behind-the-scenes experience included a combination of live streaming, videos, 360° footage and real-time Q&A with an Amazon tour guide.

Read more about their experience below:

https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/ib-business-management-students-takes-virtual-tour-of-amazon?fbclid=IwAR2gJhWRGeaE4PSHDdbwPwDEtrPxle1JyC7FzpwWmyzugcy4ffRCOn1pMVQ

IB Business Management Students Takes Virtual Tour Of Amazon In correlation with their curriculum, students explored how computer science, engineering and Amazon's warehouse employees help ensure online purchases reach customers' doorsteps even during the holiday season, the retail giant's busiest time of year.Students had the opportunity to engage in an hour...

As an international school representing 77 countries, it is essential to have a learning environment that enables all students to thrive.

Thankfully, Lausanne has passionate faculty members like EAL instructor Lilly Minor, who continuously work to make a global campus community possible. Through her role leading Lausanne's EAL tutoring program, Minor teaches international students English as an additional language while helping them become comfortable in their new surroundings and introducing them to life in their new city.

"EAL is a very special part of the Lausanne community," Minor said. "These kids come, sometimes, with no family here at all. Some with very limited English and not knowing anyone when they arrive. Yet, they work very hard to be able to not only come to school at Lausanne but to do well, continue to college and become prepared for life in a global environment."

Before winter break, Minor helped her students connect part of their EAL curriculum to the local community when she took the group on a field trip to Theatre Memphis to see "A Christmas Carol." After reading an abridged version of the Charles Dickens novel in class, Minor wanted her students to experience it through a live theatre performance. This year also marked the 45th consecutive production of "A Christmas Carol" at Theatre Memphis, making the field trip extra special for the EAL students, as it allowed them to be a part of a long-standing and beloved tradition for Memphians.

Read the full story below:
https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/eal-instructor-shares-theatre-memphis-tradition-with-students

This year's Winter Concert offered a whimsical night for a packed audience in EPAC. With performances from Upper School Strings Ensemble and Concert Band and Middle School Strings and Band, the groups showcased their talents through songs ranging from Mozart Melody to A Winter Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bells.

The Lausanne Family gathered before the holidays for the Winter Holiday Show that featured all of our Lausanne dancers across grade levels. Students showcased their talents in a variety of dancing styles with music to match the holiday theme.

Lausanne's campus was full of holiday spirit today as students kicked-off winter break with festive outfits, parties, games, gifts and good times!

We hope the Lausanne community has a wonderful break and a happy new year. We can't wait to see all our Lynx back on campus in 2023!

Our first and second graders sent their imaginations on a trip around the globe this morning as they explored different cultures and holidays celebrated worldwide.

With a paper passport and suitcase in hand, students rotated between each first and second-grade classroom to experience a different country, which included the Philippines, Hawaii, Isreal, Germany, France and Sweden. Students received a new passport stamp from teachers at each stop on their adventure and had the opportunity to decorate paper ornaments, create various arts and crafts, sip on hot cider, snack on homemade latkes and even participate in a snowball fight!

Lausanne football held a signing day on Wednesday in the Elder Performing Arts Center, with four Lynx student-athletes signing their letters of intent to play at the collegiate level.

Congratulations to Harvard (Langston Rogers '23), Florida State (Brock Glenn '23), Tennessee (Max Gilbert '23) and Southeast Missouri State (Ethan Hatton '23) for adding these great student-athletes to their campuses!

Read more: lausanneschool.com/news/posts/lausanne-holds-signing-day-for-four-football-student-athletes

"We are WRITERS!"

Lausanne's annual Senior Kindergarten Writers' Parade filled the halls earlier today! The parade celebrates the completion of their first written assignment, and the entire Lower School lines the hallways to congratulate the Senior Kindergartners. Way to go, Lynx!

Second Grade students have been learning about traditions and Lindy Roberson, Lower School A.N.T.S./Makerspace teacher, wanted to share a little about her experience with dark winters while living in Scandinavia.

After learning about the St. Lucia holiday celebrated in Sweden to bring light during the dark, cold months, the students were presented with a design challenge to create a head wreath similar to the one worn by St. Lucia.

The goal was for the wreath to fit their head and have at least 4 candles ( or whatever they wanted to use to represent candles) on the top of the wreath.

"With no specific instructions, I love to see the different directions kids take," Roberson said. "These challenges teach critical thinking and instill a passion for innovation. I could have never imagined on my own the many ways these would turn out."

As the students headed back to the classroom, they wore their wreaths proudly.

When thinking up innovative ways to learn in the classroom, you don't have to look further than Lausanne students and teachers.

Fifth Grade Language Arts teacher Cass Fernandez wanted her students to do an art piece to accompany their written essays about the symbolism found in the third novel they were reading this year. At the time, eighth-grade STEAM students were also working on digital self-portraits using an application called Adobe Fresco, a digital tool used by professionals to create art.

Madison Thomas '27 was eager to assist and help teach the younger Lynx about the application.

Read the full story: https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/students-create-digital-masterpieces-with-assistance-from-fellow-student

Lausanne's Max Gilbert '23 was named a finalist for the Tennessee Mr. Football High School Kicker Of The Year award that was given out on Wednesday at a ceremony in Nashville at Nissan Stadium.

Coming off a torn ACL amidst a record-setting junior year, Gilbert finished his senior season with 57 of his 61 kickoffs being touchbacks, with an average kickoff distance of 60 yards. He also punted the ball 17 times for 704 total yards, with an average of 42.2 and a long of 63.

When it came to field goals, Gilbert was responsible for 63 of Lausanne's points during the 2022 season, knocking through 45/46 PATs and six field goals during his senior season, including a 47-yarder. He finished his Lynx football career scoring 201 points off 19 field goals and 144 point after attempts.

Read the full story: https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/max-gilbert-23-nominated-for-mr-football-kicker-of-the-year

Congratulations to all the Lausanne Middle School students who competed in the MS Model UN competition in Downtown Memphis this week!

The Lynx participants had the opportunity to showcase their global knowledge and walked away from the competition with multiple awards, which included Emma Berger '27, Sam Califf '27, Shanaya Pokharna '27 and Jiya Shah '29 earning an Outstanding Resolution Award for their resolution to provide refugees in Niger and Mali with shelter and needed resources. Additionally, Cooper Mears ’27, Shanaya Pokharna ’27 and Mohid Salman '29 all received Oustanding Delegate awards for their assigned countries.

Read more about their experience below:
https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/middle-school-students-represent-lausanne-at-model-un-competition

How a Lausanne senior turned tragedy into triumph through football

Ethan Hatton '23 found peace this season on the football field after his family experienced tragedy. Despite the pain and emotions of losing a father, Ethan took those emotions and worked through them on the football field.

"I was like 'I can't. I can't stop,'" Ethan said. "This is what keeps me going."

ABC 24 sat down with Ethan and his family as well as some of the Lausanne coaching staff as they shared how his school and family came together to make sure Ethan didn't have to face the grief alone.

How a Lausanne senior turned tragedy into triumph through football Ethan Hatton found peace through football after his father was murdered in November of 2021. He will continue playing at Southeast Missouri State next fall.

Tonight's the night! Matilda takes the stage as our Middle School Lynx perform their Fall Musical for the first time! There are only two chances to see the show: tonight and tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in the Elder Performing Arts Center at Lausanne. Visit our website to get tickets to this almost sold-out show and to see more pictures from the dress rehearsal! https://www.lausanneschool.com/news/posts/matilda-jr-takes-the-stage-dec-2-2022

Middle School Students Explore The Similar Themes In The Giver And The Truman Show

As the students walked into class, it was clear that Thursday's class would be slightly different than usual.

The students just finished reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, and annotated different ways that the setting helped to develop the theme. Thursday's viewing of The Truman Show was to compare the movie and the book. In both, the lead characters' societies are not as they appear.

Middle School Students Explore The Similar Themes In The Giver And The Truman Show "Good morning…”As the students walked into class, it was clear that Thursday's class would be a little different than usual. Popcorn and candy sat at a stand by the door, and the environment looked more like a movie theatre than the traditional classroom. But it simply wasn't movie day in Mari...

Lower School Faculty recently teamed up to serve others when they collaborated on a project to create 100 handmade cards and self-care kits for the local nonprofit Girls Inc.

The group made cards that offered words of encouragement, and the kits included essentials such as a new pencil pouch, lotion, deodorant and lip balm.

Girls Inc. of Memphis serves over 2,000 girls each year, inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.

Building character through service to others is practiced daily at Lausanne, and we love that our faculty and staff members strive to do their part as well!

The World Cup is underway, and as an International School with students from 77 different countries, we knew students would want to root for their team!

Tuesday, we had a special "World Cup Day" at Lausanne: a spirit day to dress in support of the country of your choice.

Congratulations to the 59 Lausanne students who were inducted into the National Honor Society this morning in a ceremony held in Elder Performing Arts Center.

To be eligible for induction into the National Honor Society, Juniors and Seniors must demonstrate a commitment to scholarship, character, leadership and service. In addition to achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher at the beginning of the school year, a committee of five teachers looks at each student's resume to determine whether the qualifications have been met.

Way to go, Lynx!

See some of the ceremony photos below.

Rabbi Micah Greenstein of Temple Israel (Memphis) talked to the Class of 2026 about emotional intelligence, compassion and altruism during our Upper School's weekly sessions on Social-Emotional Learning. Thank you, Rabbi!