Alumni News 2009
Former Arbor student Maria Baetti is spending 9 months in Vienna on a Fulbright Scholarship for International Studies.She writes, "The people I have met here are from all over the world (my 5 closest friends come from Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Austria and Iraq). Academically, it is an extremely strenuous program. I study languages for 9 hours a week (French and German) and then a variety of other courses including international law, EU law, environmental law, political science (taught in French), economics, international relations and European history. Exam week for the first trimester (in December) was quite possibly the most I have ever studied in my life! Six exams in six days. Luckily I was given time to recover over the holiday break which I spent in Spain visiting family in Castellon near Valencia. Since the new year started, I have been enjoying the Viennese ball season. These extravagant events are a perfect excuse to dress up and do some very interesting people watching. Austrian culture is an interesting thing!"
Former Arbor student Aidan Bevacqua is a member of Lakeside high school’s Viking Math Team which won 2nd place in the JV division at the St. Valentine's Day Mathacre at Creekview High School.
Julian Bridges (Arbor '07), a Lakeside High School sophomore, will travel to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. Julian is active as a percussionist in Lakeside's band program and was selected to join the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble (MAYWE) this season. He will perform with the ensemble as part of Carnegie's Excellence in Education Series in May, 2009.
Lauren Deibel graduated in May from UNCW with a degree in psychology. She moved back to Atlanta and is now in Emory University's nursing program.
Deanna Deibel writes, "I am currently a sophomore at UNCW and I am double majoring in Spanish and Communications Studies and I am headed for a semester of school in Valencia, Spain in January '09."
Connor Wakamo (Arbor '05) is a National Merit Semi-Finalist, an AP Scholar with Honor, and a Rensselaer Medal winner (Math and Science).
Aleja Parsons (Arbor '02), currently a Howard University junior, spent last semester studying abroad in Granada, Spain. She says that it was an amazing experience and she encourages anyone that ever has the opportunity to study abroad to take it. Aleja writes, "...Living in a new country, learning a new language, meeting new friends and learning about myself--I'm so in love with this experience and all that it encompasses!.... What a treasure the world has waiting to be explored. I'll keep discovering---I'll keep uncovering the treasure, for with it comes treasures in myself."
Kimberly Roberts (Arbor '05) is a national merit semi-finalist at St. PiusX.
11 Arbor alums made Honor Roll at St. Pius with an average of 90 or better. "It was the excellent foundation they received at your school that has allowed them to achieve such distinction here at St. Pius. Congratulations." Steve Spellman, Principal, St. Pius X
County Science Fair Winners
Lakeside High School went on to participate in the DeKalb Regional Science and Engineering Fair Wed., February 4th, 2009. Here’s how Arbor graduates did:
| 1st | Aidan Bevacqua: Computer Science |
| 2nd | Mallory Ellingson: Microbiology |
| HM | Michael Fodrie: Medicine and Health |
SPECIAL AWARDS
Aidan Bevacqua: Intel “Excellence in Computer Science” Award
STATE FAIR REPRESENTATIVES (Apr. 2nd - 4th)
Aidan Bevacqua, Mallory Ellingson