by Tobi Salami ’20, 21st Century Journalism class

Energy and anticipation were high on Thursday, April 18th, as the Oak Hill Academy chapter of the National Honor Society inducted its newest members. Students who have shown leadership, academic excellence, service and character were chosen unanimously by a faculty committee.

This year’s inductees were: Molly Williams’ 19; Candice Zhang ’19; Christen Reeves ’20; Tobi Salami ’20; Lauren Oberman ’20; Delaney Heard ’20; Dillon Phipps ’20; Dylan Cardwell ’20; Susheel Vishwa ’20; and Erin Bunn ’21. There was a candlelighting ceremony that represented the passing of the torch of excellence from last year’s inductees to this year’s inductees. The new members repeated after Dr. Groves the pledge of the National Honor Society, and with that, the students were sworn in.

Proud families and friends were in attendance to support their loved ones. Christen Reeves, one of the inductees, was “not expecting my family at all” and felt “really glad” that his family surprised him.

by Lauren Oberman ’20, 21st Century Journalism class

On Saturday, March 30, the Saturday evening social was sponsored by the “A-Team.” This select group of leadership students focuses on character growth and the Oak Hill community. Kyra Souliere ’19 and Lauren Oberman ’20 served ice cream to the student body who then went around the table topping the ice cream with cookie crumbles, cherries, marshmallows, sprinkles, caramelized pecans and chocolate sauce.

At the same time, Mr. Conn and Mr. Meagher held a dodgeball game in the gym. When the whistle blew, students ran to the gym’s center line to grab the dodgeballs and throw them at their opponents on the other side of the gym. If a player couldn’t “dodge” the ball and was hit, that player was out. If a player caught the ball, the thrower was out. The game turned out to be a huge hit! A-Team member Tobi Salami ’20 exclaimed, “It was really fun. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and no one was just sitting around.”

The A-team will sponsor various activities at socials for the remainder of the school year. The group is led by Mr. Aaron Butt and Mrs. Joy Groves.

by Tobi Salami ’20, 21st Century Journalism class

The Oak Hill Academy Praise Band is a group of musically inclined students who perform contemporary praise and worship songs during church services at Young’s Chapel Baptist Church as well as during Vespers services. The band consists of nine students who can sing or play a string or percussion instrument.

“Praise Band gives students a way to explore talents they never had and maybe develop new ones,” stated CiCi Wang ’19. The group’s next performance will be at the May 5th Senior Sunday service in which the school and church community come together to celebrate the graduating class.

They are currently coming up with a stellar performance that captures the day’s essence.

The faculty sponsor, Mr. Taylor Conn, hopes that more students will join next year and help to expand the band’s repertoire.