Three Kilmer Students Named to Virginia Middle School Honors Chorus

Of the forty-one students from Fairfax County Public Schools who were selected to the 2013 Virginia American Choral Directors Association Middle School Honors Chorus, three are from Kilmer Middle School: 

• Sonali Doshi
• Will Morrison
• Jared Zell

 The group will perform on Saturday, April 27, at Hanover High School in Mechanicsburg.

Kudos to these three students and to a big commendation to Kilmer Direct of Choirs, Kevin Sapp, for the work he does with all of our choral students.

* * *

Former Kilmer Student Publishes Children's Book

Nicholas P. Kousen, a Kilmer student from 2006-2008 and now a freshman at the College of William and Mary has written a book, with his TJHSST classmate Acacia Dai illustrating. The book is called “Halebopp: A Rabbit’s Tale” and is the real-life story of a rabbit rescued by Kousen’s 7^th grade science teacher at Kilmer, Ms. Stacie Kreitman, and later adopted by the Kousen family.

The book is dedicated to Ms. Kreitman. It was published on February 7 and became available as a Kindle title on February 15. Congratulations to Kousen and Dai on this incredible achievement.

Read the full story from the Fairfax Times.

* * *

Kilmer Student Places First in State in Virginia Scholastic Chess Championships

On March 9-10, Kilmer students competed in the Virginia Scholastic & Collegiate Chess Championships at Longwood University in Farmville, VA. Isuru Attanagoda achieved the HUGE accomplishment of placing first and becoming the K-8 Virginia State Chess Champion.

In the team competition, Kilmer placed 8^th in the state. Kilmer’s team consisted of:

• Isuru A Attanagoda
• Boyoung Zhao
• Chaitanaya M Vij

 Congratulations to Isuru and to our whole Kilmer team.

* * *

Kilmer Team Takes First Place at Regional Odyssey of the Mind Competition

A team of Kilmer students placed first in the Northern Virginia Region 9 Odyssey of the Mind Tournament held on Saturday, March 9 at Oakton High School.

The team chose to complete the Tumble-wood problem for their long-term selection. Their task was to design and build a structure made of only balsa wood and glue that balanced and supported as much weight as possible. Before weight placement began, the team had to present a commercial that included the structure rolling down a ramp. The structure was scored for how far it rolled and for how much weight it held. The team was required to integrate the placement of the weights into the performance. The Kilmer team scored extremely well in all areas, receiving perfect marks for their spontaneous problem and near perfect marks in all areas.

They will next compete in the Virginia State Odyssey of the Mind Tournament on Saturday, April 13 at John Champe High School in Aldie, VA. Congratulations to all involved and best of luck moving forward!

* * *

16 Students Compete in Kilmer's Optimist Club Oratorical Contest

Congratulations to all 16 of the Optimist Club Oratorical contestants who wrote and delivered 4 minute speeches to a panel of judges on Friday.  Winners for the boys were: 3rd place: Surya Ambardar; 2nd Place: Andres Perez; and 1st place:  Thomas Mecherikunnel. Winners for the girls were: 3rd place: Kiersten Paul; 2nd place: Siri Doddi; and 1st place: Maggie McAden.

Winners Maggie and Thomas will go on to compete against the winners from Thoreau and Luther Jackson Middle Schools on Wednesday, March 20.

* * *

Kilmer Orchestra ROCKS State Assessment!

All four Kilmer orchestras participating in the state assessment this past weekend at Kenmore Middle School received STRAIGHT SUPERIOR ratings from the judges. This is a huge accomplishment and we are very proud of all performers.

The students played beautifully and showed incredible maturity and focus and were led by our amazing Orchestra Director, Marci Swift.

* * *

Kilmer NJHS & 8th Grade Class Donate 400 Snack Bags!

Congrats to Kilmer Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society in partnership with the 8th grade class for a successful “snack - Fill 400 in February” campaign.  Students donated over 400 snack bags for needy children and families in Alternative House’ 9 programs and earned 134 community service hours.  Thanks to all who donated or volunteered --   you made a difference in our community!


View the Vienna Patch's article about this accomplishment!



* * *