It was an eventful Friday night for Cincinnati Country Day School as students flocked to see their peers perform both on the court and the stage. The evening kicked off with the varsity girls basketball game against Seven Hills High School. The girls, led by senior Jamie Huelskamp, juniors Erika Armstead, Ricci Snell, and sophomore Cassie Sachs, dismantled a tough Stinger squad to improve to 5-4 on the year.
Varsity boys basketball followed with a nail-biting contest against the Seven Hills boys team. The Seven Hills crowd was riled up as CCDS students blanketed the bleachers in their preppiest attire for a “Prep-Out,” which the fans of the Stingers had done at last year’s game. The Indians trailed most of the game by fewer than four points. However, a myriad of questionable calls by the officials in favor of Seven Hills, including several unsubstantiated foul calls on senior Ryan Galloway, hindered the team’s efforts. While freshman J.R. Menifee and senior Rob Pierce made key contributions on offense, the Stingers ultimately prevailed by a score of 36-29.
Following the boys game was the annual Ovations Club Coffee House, held in the Upper School cafeteria. Hosted by senior Jules Cantor, the event showcased ten incredible performances and affirmed CCDS’ strength in the Arts.
Olivia Schwartz kicked off the evening with a beautiful original song that she sang and played on the guitar; sophomore Khreah Everett dazzled the audience with her rendition of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten;” freshman Annie Mullee continued the montage of incredible voices with Katy Perry’s “Firework” as freshman Ashley Streit accompanied her on guitar; seniors Greg Dick and Cody Pomeranz mixed things up with some particularly funny
comedy sketches; senior MC Jules Cantor joined in to play on guitar and sing the classic camping song “The General;” senior Elizabeth Blackburn once again showed off her incredible talent as a pianist; CCDS alumnus Jeffrey Bismayer ’08 returned to deliver wonderful original poetry; Chef and the Ingredients, a band comprised of sophomores Jack Willingham, Michael Barton, Elliot Cofer, and “Rob the Chef,” electrified the crowd with a collection of songs from Dave Matthews and Empire of the Sun.The evening concluded with the always wonderful senior Ali Breneman, who sang and acted out a Broadway song.
From a “Prep-Out,” to basketball, music, poetry, and a tincture of comedy, the night was a warm gathering for the start of a new year.
Photos by Ilana Habib ’11, Photography Section Editor