Weston’s Sagemont High School Science Fair Winners

We are very proud of our 10 Sagemont Science Fair winners. These students will be working along side our high school teachers to prepare for the regional competition. In February they will be competing against other Broward County Schools. Good luck to all!

This post originally appeared here: http://www.sagemont.com/page.cfm?p=682&newsid=49&ncat=5

Our Weston Elementary and Middle School Students Learn About the Election

Our Weston Elementary and Middle School Students Learn About the Election

Students throughout both Sagemont campuses learned about our election process this month.

Mr. Hemeon said of the middle school art students, “In an effort to engage my students in the political process, the latest project had them each creating their own campaign posters as though they were running for president. I instructed them to stay away from referencing the actual candidates, but to concentrate on issues...some serious, some not so much. They are/will be placed along the drives leading to and from school.”

It was an epic Election Day battle in fourth grade. Students got to vote for their favorite candydate (a.k.a. candidate See what we did there?!).  Their choice? Crunch or Skittles

The students have been learning a month-long unit about the three branches of government and the election process. Ms. Fiet assigned students a state. With each state, the student got the actual number of electoral votes that the state gets for the general election. Each student represented their state in the candy election.

On election the students made their official choice by filling out their ballot. They then filled out the electoral map and the digital map. They colored the electoral map to reflect their choice. Red was for Skittles and blue was for Crunch. After each ballot had been cast, the announcement was made that Crunch won 328 to 210. The election unit was concluded with a Dr. Seuss story called One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote. This was truly a “sweet” lesson in American politics.

The Sagemont School Celebrates 20 years a Top Broward Prep School

The Sagemont School Celebrates 20 years a Top Broward Prep School

Congratulations to everyone who helped us celebrate The Sagemont School’s 20th Anniversary on November 4th with an in-school event. There was a pep rally at the Upper School Campus including performances by our cheerleaders, Sagemont Band and Synergy Rock Band. At our Lower School Campus there was a pep rally and a mini dance party! All students enjoyed decorated cupcakes at lunchtime. Thank you to our media sponser InWeston Magazine for your support and logo design. Once again a Super Sagemont Thank You to our joint PTO's who always help us celebrate in style!!! Thank you to our PTO's who provided the students and staff with red commemorative t-shirts and so much more! Photos to follow.

The Sagemont School proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary in achieving excellence in academics, athletics and the arts! Sagemont gives campus tours daily. Are you looking for a smaller school with BIG opportunities? Sagemont graduates attend the finest universities in the nation. Please visit our website and learn more about our exciting program for students in preschool through 12th grade.

Weston Sagemont School’s Drama Department Deserves Standing Ovation

The Sagemont School boasts a critically acclaimed drama department. Beginning in fourth grade, interested students are introduced to the magic of musical theatre. By high school, Sagemont's award-winning International Thespian Troupe performs to packed houses and takes top honors at arts awards programs such as the Cappies and Florida State Main Stage Festival.

Sagemont Theater Teacher Elizabeth Garrard believes the drama department's success is due to its progressive program. "At the elementary level, students begin to develop a working vocabulary of the atrical terms, as well as a respect for the art form and the technique that an actor must use on the stage."

A unique partnership with the Fort Lauderdale Children's Theater provides Sagemont Lower School students the opportunity to learn and train alongside industry professionals.

"The Fort Lauderdale Children's Theater runs our elementary school production and assists with sets and costumes for the middle school and high school productions," explains Garrard. "They also provide our students and teachers access to knowledgeable theater artists and community resources."

Once students enter middle school, they can expand their knowledge by taking theatre classes as arts electives. "By the time they enter high school, many students have already had five years of training and are prepared to excel on the stage," states Garrard. "The are able to incorporate more advanced techniques in acting, voice and movement. Many of our graduates go on to study theatre at some of the most prestigious programs in the world."

Senior Jessie Jordan will attend the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. It is one of the nation's only universities dedicated solely to educating students in the visual and performing arts. She believes her training at Sagemont has prepared her for this opportunity. "I have gained confidence as an artist and learned to collaborate with my peers on creative projects."

The Sagemont drama department closed out the year with the Middle School production of Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

This year's high school drama students performed Chicago, The Musical. The production was nominated for seven Cappie Awards including Best Lead Actress in a Musical (Jessie Jordan); Best Female Dancer (Susana Obando); Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Erica Merlino); Best Set Design and Constructio (Dan Entenberg, Victor Paes-Leme, Santiago Reyes-Retana and Crew); Best Costumes (Taylor Briesemeister, Andres Hernandez and Crew); Best Lighting Design (Arturo Fernandez, Skylar Scorca and Crew); and Senior Critic (Claudia Moncaliano).

The Sagemont Upper School’s production of Chicago, The Musical received seven Cappie nominations.

Garrard says she takes the potential to win awards into account when selecting which plays to perform. "A great production begins with selecting the right material. First I assess the skill level of the current student body. The script should challenge them, while at the same time being accessible to our audience base. I try to choose material that has some level of literary merit and three dimensional characters. I want the audience to be entertained, but the material should also be thought provoking

She says she also likes to look for pieces with historical significance. "I encourage the students to do extensive background research, not only on the characters and time period, but also on the significance of the script and playwright," explains Garrard. "For Chicago, students researched the significance of Bob Fosse's choreography, the rise and fall of Vaudeville, sensationalist crime reporting, and the 1930's in America."

Sagemont's Black Box Theatre was the perfect intimate setting to reflect the cabaret feel needed for this production, decorated with red draperies and twinkle lights. This is the second year the school has had its Black Box Theatre on campus, and Garrard is grateful to have access to a working theatre laboratory. "Students are able to experiment with different styles, forms and techniques that go beyond the traditional 'proscenium' staging. For Chicago, I introduced students to the three-quarters thrust staging devices, and incorporated a Brechtian distancing effect into my direction of the piece," explains Garrard. "The student lighting designers had the opportunity to put together a three direction lighting plot, and students learned many new acting techniques that they would otherwise not have had access to."

Mariah Pumphrey-Solomon as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical, Jr.

The younger students also have the opportunity perform in Sagemont's Black Box Theatre. Middle school students were able to use their time in the "actor's studio" to work on performance, song, set design, lighting and stage direction for their produc-tion of The Little Mermaid. These talented young thespians performed a spectacular production of the beloved story of a mermaid's wish to become human. Fourth and fifth graders also brought a popular children's story to life with Seus s ica l, Jr. , which brings the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and all of the favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life onstage.

The fourth and fifth grade production of Seussical, Jr. featured elaborate costumes and set design.

All three productions were performed to packed houses and received rousing standing ovations a true testament to Sagemont's successful drama season.

Weston Elementary School Celebrates America

Our preschoolers have begun their exploration of our school wide semester theme, “Celebrating America!

Our preschoolers have begun their exploration of our school wide semester theme, “Celebrating America!” They learned about the Statue of Liberty and made crowns and torches! They even made some bald eagles and learned that it is a symbol of America. Over the next few weeks our preschoolers will focus on our preschool essential question, “What is special about America?” They will continue to incorporate project-based learning by reading books, creating wonderful hands-on crafts, watching informative, educational videos and enjoying the process of learning about our wonderful country!

College Fair for Weston’s Top High School is October 11th

Each year, The Sagemont School hosts an on-campus College Fair for its students and families. This event has grown in size to now hosting over 90 university and college representatives. The Sagemont School produces graduates who are on the radar for an exceptional list of Universities and Colleges. This is a very exciting on-campus event and proves as one step in acquainting Sagemont families with the great opportunities that lie ahead after high school graduation.

Who: The Sagemont School, Upper School Campus

What: 2016 College Fair on Campus

When: Tuesday, October 11th, 9:30am to 11:00am
Where: The Sagemont School, 2585 Glades Circle, Weston FL 33327

One of Sagemont's best programs is its College Planning Guidance with Cecilia Grana De Oro. College planning starts as early as 6th grade as students are tracked and mentored through graduation.

The College Counseling Program at The Sagemont School believes that the college process is based upon individualism and self-reflection as students prepare for the next phase of their academic experience. The College Counselor serves as a liaison between The Sagemont School students and universities. For more information visit our website: www.Sagemont.com

Another of Our Weston Middle School’s “Message in a Bottle” Found!

A 2^nd of Our Weston Middle School’s “Image in a Bottle Project” Floats Ashore in Spain Two Years Later

Exciting news! Another bottle has washed ashore overseas! Two years ago students sent their "Image in a Bottle" projects out to sea and, yet again one has survived the journey. Read the email below that we received from the girl who found it.

"I found your bottle with a message inside. My name is Laura, I am 12 years-old, and live in Galicia (Spain). I found the bottle on a beach in Ferrol. I was playing on the shore with my father, sister and cousins, when I saw the bottle floating in the ocean. It was a big surprise when I saw that the bottle had a note inside. Your project has been a success and the story will be published in a local newspaper. By the way ... When did you send the bottle? I hope you are proud of your work and we can communicate soon."

In the spring of 2014, approximately 80 Sagemont middle school students created collages of their lives, wrote a “letters to the world”, sealed them in bottles they decorated which were sent out to sea from Ft. Lauderdale. The project was called “Image in a Bottle” which middle school art teacher Scott Hemeon conceived to challenge his students to consider how they wanted to project their image to a global community…a virtual concept delivered in an old-fashioned way. Two years later, and an ocean away, two of those bottles have washed ashore…so far!

Weston’s Top High School College Guidance Program Begins

Weston’s Top High School College Guidance Program Begins for the 2016-17 School year

One of Sagemont's best programs is its College Planning Guidance with Cecilia Grana De Oro. Here she kicks off her program for the year. College planning starts as early as 6th grade as students are tracked and mentored through graduation.

The College Counseling Program at The Sagemont School believes that the college process is based upon individualism and self-reflection as students prepare for the next phase of their academic experience. The College Counselor serves as a liaison between The Sagemont School students and universities. For more information visit our website: www.Sagemont.com

Weston’s Sagemont School High School Middle School Elementary 20th Anniversary

Weston’s Sagemont School Proudly Celebrates It’s 20th Anniversary 

The Sagemont School proudly celebrates its  20th anniversary in achieving excellence in academics, athletics and the  arts! Sagemont gives campus tours daily. Are you looking for a smaller school  with BIG opportunities? Sagemont graduates attend the finest universities in  the nation. Please visit our website and learn more about our exciting  program for students in preschool through 12th grade.

Nike Sponsors Weston & Davie Area Top High School Basketball Program

Nike Sponsors Sagemont Basketball as Elite Weston & Davie Area High School Program

By Stacey Bomser

When basketball season starts in a few months, the Sagemont Lions will be wearing Nike from head to toe. The team has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with Nike, Inc. It is one of only 150 high school programs nationwide to align with the sports apparel leader.

“This partnership is a monumental step forward for our program,” stated Head Basketball Coach Adam Ross. “To be part of program that has been sought out by the premier sports apparel company in the world is an incredible accomplishment.”

As a Nike Elite team, The Sagemont School is among the country’s 150 best high school basketball programs. “We are very fortunate to have been identified as such,” said Coach Ross. “I believe they look for consistency and character starting with the administration of the school, through the coaching staff and then on court performance. I believe Nike wants to be involved with programs that have had significant impact on the lives of their players. We are flattered to have this opportunity.”

As a Nike sponsored school, Sagemont players will be provided Nike products to train, practice and play. The team will wear Nike on the court exclusively. Additionally, Sagemont will have the opportunity to play in some of the Nike-sponsored national tournaments. The Lions will begin their season this year at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers. They will also play in the Slam Dunk to the Beach tournament in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Next season, Sagemont will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii.

According to Coach Ross, another benefit of being a Nike-sponsored school is that this partnership furthers Sagemont’s reputation nationally and among college basketball coaches. The Lions have placed many players in the NCAA, with players at Syracuse, Indiana, UCLA, and Boston College, to name a few.

Coach Ross predicts big things for his team this season. “We have a really great group of guys coming back this year. I’m looking forward to getting to work with them. We have a great schedule put together.”

Although the first pre-season game is not until November, Coach Ross is setting his sights on post-season play with hopes of making it to the playoffs. “In my 11 seasons, we have been to Florida’s Final Four six times, winning two state championships in 2011 and 2014.” Sagemont was also the first school in Broward County to finish a season undefeated.

Broward County’s VPK Program to Launch at Sagemont

Broward County’s VPK Program to Launch at Sagemont /

By Stacey Bomser

The Sagemont School is offering its award-winning college preparatory program to even more students this coming year. It is introducing a free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) education program for four-year-olds. The program helps build a strong foundation for school using educational materials that are geared toward the various stages in a child’s development to ensure success in kindergarten and beyond.

According to the State of Florida’s Office of Early Learning, children who attend a high-quality preschool do much better when they get to kindergarten. In fact, in 2011-12, 79 percent of children who finished VPK were ready for kindergarten, whereas only 55 percent of children who didn’t go to VPK were kindergarten ready.

There has been a high demand for VPK programs in Weston and The Sagemont School is expanding its curriculum to help meet this demand. “It is a major advantage to be a part of a VPK program in a college-preparatory environment with access to a multitude of materials, enrichments, and opportunities,” states Monica Vigna, Sagemont Lower School Campus Principal. “As we will continue to utilize the Links to Learning curriculum, we are very confident that our VPK students will excel academically, socially and emotionally.”

Sagemont’s Links to Learning curriculum includes many educational facets including exploring language and literacy, mathematics, social-emotional growth, wellness, digital interactions, creative expression, citizens of the world, science and social studies.

“With our technologically-rich, supportive, and culturally-diverse learning community, our students will have several opportunities to learn and experience these facets first-hand, having access to multiple hands-on learning tools to cater to various learning styles,” adds Ms. Vigna.

Students enrolled in Sagemont’s VPK program can apply to matriculate into kindergarten and a path to academic success at The Sagemont School. “Our VPK students are a part of our college-prep campus with access to rich technology, innovative learning opportunities, a supportive environment, cultural diversity, and so much more,” shares Ms. Vigna. “Students who stay with us through graduation have had great success in getting into top universities and Ivy League schools.”

To complement the half-day VPK, families may enroll students in the Wrap-Around program. “Children are able to partake in the same specials as our preschool and kindergarten through fifth grade students,” states Ms. Vigna. “They would also have access to our Innovation STEAM Lab, air-conditioned gymnasium, swimming pool, and more.”

For more information on Sagemont’s new VPK program go to www.sagemont.com/vpk. Contact 954-384-5454 to schedule a VPK tour on Tuesday or Thursday nights from 6-7pm.

Weston’s Top High School Athletes Graduate Sagemont Head to College

Some of Weston’s Top High School Athletes from Sagemont Class of 2016 Head to College

We are so proud of these high performing Athletes and our entire Athletics program. Good Luck 2016 athletes on your new college teams!!

Congratulations to The Sagemont School's Class of 2016 senior student-athletes who will be participating in collegiate athletics next year! These graduates were honored at a celebration n May, surrounded by friends, family, coaches and administrators.

Thank you all for the leadership and dedication that you have shown during your time representing Sagemont Athletics. Good luck at the next level!

Nikola Popovic - Boys Basketball / Boston College

Isabella Lowrey - Girls Tennis / Nova Southeastern University

Kelsey Calamaro - Girls Soccer / Chatham University

Nicholas DeFeria - Boys Basketball / Rhodes College

Austin DeBruyne - Boys Tennis / Ferris State University

Broward County High School Salutes 2016 Co-Valedictorians

Broward County’s Top Private High School Salutes it’s 2016 Co-Valedictorians

We couldn’t be prouder of our 2016 co-valedictorians and our salutatorian. We wish them the best as the head off to college!

From Left to Right: Kavya Narendra-Babu, Aleeza Kessler, Braedon Villano

Kavya Narendra Babu

Weighted GPA: 5.16

Outstanding Achievements:

Co-Valedictorian, National Merit Scholarship winner, All-State Flutist (9^th & 12^th), All-County Flutist (9^th, 10^th & 12^th), AP Scholar with Honor, President of Music Honor Society (11^th & 12^th), Concertmaster of FYO’s flute orchestra (11^th & 12^th)

Accepted to:

UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSD, UM, UF, BU, NYU

Will Attend:

UC Berkeley

Career Goal:

Neurosurgeon

Favorite Teachers:

Dr. Oganezov, Mr. Roe, Mr. Leip and Ms. Gronberg

Favorite High School Memory:

Performing at the Broward Center with the Youth Pride Band and performing at Mizner Park with FYO on the same day 

Favorite Quote:

“To define is to limit.” ―Oscar Wilde

Aleeza Kessler

Weighted GPA: 5.16

Outstanding Achievements:

Co-Valedictorian, National Honor Society President, Lead Student Ambassador, Congressional School and Community Service Award winner, AP Scholar with Honor, National Merit Scholar Finalist, Science National Honor Society Vice President, SGA Secretary, Varsity Cheerleading Co-Captain, IMACS graduate, UF Honors Program participant

Accepted to:

Brandeis University, Boston College, University of Toronto, Queens University, University Of Central Florida and University of Florida

Will Attend:

UF Honors

Career Goal:

Dermatologist

Favorite Teachers:

Dr. Oganezov, Ms. Sponnoble, Mr. Leip and Mr. Roe

Favorite High School Memory:

Dancing at Battle of the Grades

Favorite Quote:

"Even Achilles was only as strong as his heel." ―Frank Underwood

Braedon Villano

Weighted GPA: 5.13

Outstanding Achievements:

Salutatorian, Varsity Soccer Captain, Senior Class President, Georgia Tech Provost Scholar, AP Venture Scholar, Junior Travel Award Spanish Scholar, National Honor Society Tutoring Chair, Spanish National Honor Society Vice President, two-time Literary Fair Winner, Harvard Merit Scholar

Accepted to:

Columbia, Harvard, Duke, Yale, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Swarthmore, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Butler University and Fordham University

Will Attend:

Harvard 

Career Goal:

CEO of a start up company 

Favorite Teachers:

Ms. Sponnoble, Mr. Leip, Dr. Dennis, Dr. Oganezov and Mr. Roe

Favorite High School Memory:

Playing soccer with my best friends

Favorite Quote:

"If you don't like how the table is set, turn over the table." ―Frank Underwood

Weston Middle School “Message in a Bottle” Found

Our Weston Middle School’s “Image in a Bottle Project” Floats Ashore in Spain Two Years Later

Sagemont School student Maria Paredes washes up on the shore of Spain!

Well…her bottle did, anyway.

In the spring of 2014, approximately 80 students created collages of their lives, wrote a “letters to the world”, sealed them in bottles they decorated which were sent out to sea from Ft. Lauderdale. The project was called “Image in a Bottle” which middle school art teacher Scott Hemeon conceived to challenge his students to consider how they wanted to project their image to a global community…a virtual concept delivered in an old-fashioned way.

Two years later, and an ocean away, one of those bottles washed ashore where a fisherman found it encrusted in shells on a remote stretch of beach near Bilbao, in northern Spain. A newspaper reporter from El Correo newspaper was contacted to investigate the find. Using contact information in the bottle, he reached across the ocean to The Sagemont School where he learned of the project and the lucky girl whose bottle was found, and provided us with the details of the extraordinary discovery.

Summer School in Weston Reimagined

Here’s Part 1 of our interview in the March 2016 issue of Our City of Weston Magazine.

BY STACEY BOMSER

Camp Sagemont is known for offering a wide variety of camp programs that appeal to children of all ages and interests, ranging from a traditional day camp program for preschoolers and younger students to a travel camp for teenagers. This summer, Camp Sagemont is unveiling new educational camp programs designed to supplement lessons learned throughout the school year and allow children to explore new interests.

Camp Sagemont Director Danielle Guski shares more about what’s in store this summer at Camp Sagemont.

What are some of the new programs available this summer?

Academic Advantage Plus, formerly known as Summer School, now offers campers the choice to focus on specific subject areas. It also includes a daily Reading Rocks! Session. We’re also introducing a Spanish Immersion Plus camp and Cooking Up Math & Science Plus camp, where children will learn the math and science behind cooking and baking.

Why is Camp Sagemont adding new academic-based camps to its menu?

We have seen that parents are looking for fun and enriching academic-based activities to keep their children’s minds active through the summer. In addition, research indicates that students who keep their minds actively engaged throughout the summer do not display summer regression upon returning to the classroom. The goal to increase student knowledge is especially important for English language learning students who have the greatest probability for regression, not only in content but overall English language development. Camp Sagemont strives to answer the global demand to provide a continuous and fun academic learning experience during the summer.

If you’re looking for a summer academic programs for your kids register for Camp Sagemont online today.

This blog post originally appeared here: http://www.campsagemont.com/summer-school-weston-2016/ 

Weston Elementary School Luncheon

Weston’s Sagemont Elementary School Hosts Empty Bowls Luncheon

Recently, Sagemont hosted its seventh annual Empty Bowls spaghetti and meatball luncheon. Our fourth and fifth grade students created a ceramic bowl as a reminder of the empty bowls around the world. The Empty Bowls Project is an international, art-based movement aimed at ending world hunger. Since it was started in 1990, the Empty Bowls Project has raised millions of dollars towards fighting hunger. All proceeds were donated to the LifeNet4Families food bank organization and will help feed children and families in our local community.

Weston Preschool Creates Process Artwork

Sagemont’s Weston Preschool Creates Process Artwork

Sagemont preschool students worked collaboratively to create large-scale, safari-themed, process artwork. They worked as a team with one common goal, while learning to appreciate differences of others and developing a sense of community and confidence. During the weeklong process, students gained knowledge about Africa and safari animals, as well as, rich academic preschool concepts and skills.

Weston’s Sagemont Elementary School Hosts Students from China

Weston’s Sagemont Elementary School Hosts Cultural Art Exchange with Students from China

As reported in Our City of Weston Magazine By Stacey Bomser

The Sagemont School recently welcomed several special guests for a cultural art exchange. These students were not only from another school, but another country. Three elementary-age students and the director of the Ruopu Art School in Wuhan, China, took part in the program which included an art show and contest, classroom comparisons, and advanced art lessons.

Ruopu is a museum-like art school which allows children from ages three to 15 to explore their creative side. The school focuses on fine detail and expression through careful interpretation of traditional Chinese art.

“While ‘Folk Art’ is very important to the people of China, it is beginning to fade with fewer and fewer artists practicing the trade,” explains Beth McMahon, Sagemont’s Director of Admissions and International Programs, who coordinated the cultural exchange. “Training young students may help preserve the traditions.”Mrs. McMahon says the purpose of the art exchange event was to provide students with a platform to break down language barriers and learn about one another through art. “Not only was the artwork spectacular, but Sagemont students from both the Upper and Lower School Campuses were able to learn about the children’s lives through their art, which was the subject matter of the paintings.”Ninety-one pieces of artwork by the Chinese students were on display in the Sagemont Lower School Campus cafeteria for all to enjoy. Upper School AP and Honors art students served as judges, under the guidance of art teacher Darcy Hildlebidle. The students carefully selected three  winning pieces; one from each age category: 5-6 years, 7-8 years, and 9-10 years and older.“From this, the Sagemont students experienced how to look and value art, not by whether they liked it or not, but rather by breaking down the art into five categories via a rubric,” explains Mrs. McMahon. “They enjoyed discussing their perspective on the work to the Chinese instructors who were greatly impressed with the knowledge and interest that our students demonstrated.”On the second day of the visit, the young Chinese students spent time with Sagemont second graders. The Sagemont students shared their American culture and education with the special guests by performing songs, giving them a tour of the school, and demonstrating and discussing what they learn in their classes, including art, music, physical education, media technology, Spanish and swimming.

“It was interesting that the three Sagemont teachers were able to include the young Chinese children in the classroom lessons simply by using computer programs and the internet on their white boards that translated the lesson for them,” shared Mrs. McMahon. “The Chinese students answered questions on the white board using Chinese characters.”

She cites an experience with Yibo, one of the Chinese students, during a math lesson on temperature. “Since he did not speak English at all, and was very shy, we looked up how to say numbers in Chinese and our students repeated the numbers in his language while the teacher pointed to the board. Then Yibo pronounced the words for us to repeat after him.”

Fortunately, there were no language barriers in PE or on the playground. Mrs. McMahon says the Chinese students told her recess was their favorite time of day, as they enjoyed playing freely with their new friends. “Sagemont showed the Chinese that in America, students are fortunate to have the arts and athletics as part of the curricular day. Studying is important, but being able to express themselves with music, art and fitness all in one day was pretty impressive.”

Sagemont second grader Paula Pulgar said she liked spending time with Yibo. The two shared a common love of art. “I would like to go to an art school like his because I would learn more about art. I want to be a fashion designer and you need to know art for that as well.”

The culture exchange between the two schools also included art lessons. Sagemont art instructors Darcy Hildebidle and Scott Hemeon gave a class to the young students and the Ruopu Art School’s director taught the Sagemont students about art education in China.

After the culture exchange, a few of the pieces of artwork, including the winning pieces in each age category, were moved to the Young At Art Museum in Davie. Mrs. McMahon says plans are already in the works for future exhibitions to rotate between the two communities, along with teachers actually exchanging art instruction. She says the first lesson may be exchanged over the internet, with travel between the schools likely to happen.