This article was compiled by Susan Curnow Breedlove with info from Henry instructors Latoya Grier, Chris Michael, David Sylvestre and Brionna Harder
PHHS Herobotics continued their incredible record, appearing at the February Great Northern Regional competition in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where they received the Engineering Inspiration Award recognizing their promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) in the community. The next step in competition was to participate in the North Star Regional robotics event at the University of Minnesota on March 25-28; however, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, that was cancelled. PHHS Herobotics would like to thank their partners and friends who support them. Staff and students are spending this time to think of their next projects as this group is a year-long continuous venture.
PHHS Theater thespians were looking forward to presenting a play titled Anon(ymous) by playwright Naomi Iizuka, based on Homer’s Odyssey, a story of a young refugee’s journey throughout the U.S. searching for his mother. Director Christopher Michael enthusiastically said, “If the opportunity arises we will put the show on.” He recently purchased the rights to another play, but at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions, all is naught.
PHHS Green Team is an after-school activity group started by a number of students in the IB Career-Related Programme. Their goal is “To make our school and community a more green and cleaner environment.” Their moto is “This is our world and it’s our responsibility to take care of it.” The students would like to get other schools on board and make an impact throughout Minnesota.
The greater team is composed of the following smaller teams: Graphics and Design, Indoor Gardening, Outdoor Gardening, Aquaponics, Social Media, Composting, Hazardous Waste, Education and Outreach, and Recycling. The Green Team was awarded a grant this past year by Green Partners of Hennepin County. Maria Ahlgren of Check and Connect is a staff supporter as well as Brionna Harder and David Sylvestre. Funds will be used for developing a visibility campaign, including purchasing high visibility reflective vests for such activities as Earth Day.
Thirty students participated in “Litter Be Gone Day” in the Camden Community this past Fall. Team members have been involved with presentations at information tables for Holiday on 44th, the upkeep of the Henry High courtyard, and building a Green Wall (composed of several small herb gardens). Plans for April and May, but now postponed, included mini-teachings at lunch at PHHS, environmentally conscious school announcements, outreach in feeder schools Loring and Jenny Lind, partnership activities with the Victory Environment Committee, and reestablishing Henry’s decades-old rare Oak Savannah Garden, which had been shepherded by neighbor Eric Nystrom, that was destroyed by construction workers last year. For info on the Green Team contact student co-presidents at Tlee2101@mpsedu.org or Avue2001@mpsedu.org.
This is a list of some of the additional events currently cancelled at PHHS due to COVID-19: The trip to Morocco by some students of French classes; the HBCU (Historic Black Colleges and Universities) tour of mid-west colleges; all athletics; more than 30 non-athletic after-school clubs and organizations; annual all-school trip to the Guthrie with prior preparation of Shakespeare’s play 12th Night; field trips; ACT testing; etc., etc. The PHHS community was looking forward to the Annual May Show put on by the Asian Cultural Club and the springtime Annual Talent Show, both in limbo.