Masterman Minute 2/19/26

Dear Masterman Community,
​Please join me in extending warm congratulations to Vidur Diwakar, our 7th Grade Masterman Spelling Bee Champion. Vidur's impressive performance and dedication to his craft earned him the top spot in this year's competition.

Vidur will proudly represent Masterman at the Regional Spelling Bee at WHYY on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The winner of the regional round advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

We are very proud of Vidur and grateful to Ms. Rowley, Ms. Amit, and all the staff who supported this year's competition. Please join us in wishing him the very best as he prepares for the regional stage.

National Merit Scholarship Finalists
Congratulations to Tova Albert, Kenrick Chen, and Zoe Chen, who have advanced to the  Finalist round of the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the nation's most prestigious academic recognition programs. Finalists represent the highest-scoring students on the PSAT/NMSQT and have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, strong coursework, and meaningful contributions to their school communities. Fewer than one percent of U.S. high school seniors reach Finalist standing.

We are incredibly proud of Tova, Kenrick, and Zoe for this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to cheering them on in the final stages of the competition.

Ramadan Observance
Yesterday marked the beginning of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan, many Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and focus on prayer, reflection, generosity, and community.

At Masterman, we are committed to supporting our observant students. We are providing a dedicated space during the school day for students who wish to pray.

Special thanks to Ms. Geiger, Mr. Gilken, and Ms. Montgomery for their care and support in preparing and supervising the prayer room.

The Wiz Opens Next Week
A reminder that our school musical, The Wiz, opens on Thursday, February 26, with additional performances on Friday and Saturday evenings.

• Tickets: $10
  
• Doors Open: 5:30 PM
  
• Curtain: 6:30 PM
  

More than 250 Masterman students are involved across cast, crew, and orchestra. It promises to be a wonderful celebration of student talent and hard work. We hope to see many of you there to support our performers.

Staff Shout-Outs

• Gabriella Tavianini and Hans Muse for being amazingly supportive, enthusiastic, and helpful chaperones on the Quebec trip.
  
• The Sunshine Committee for organizing the Palentine's activity. It was such a fun way to spread joy among faculty and staff.
  
• Ms. Fox for her amazing and tireless work with the stage crew in preparing for the show.
  
• Donna Mc for always having a smile on her face.
  
• Steve Gilligan for being a good sport and a great colleague.
  
• Elana Solomon for being a fearless advocate.
  
• Janel Vesci for being a great collaborator and idea generator.
  
• Bego for her joy in teaching and being with students.
  
• Chris Lebold for working diligently with students to ensure they understand and love physics.
  
• Mrs. Brunner for ordering the food to celebrate the Lunar New Year for the fifth grade.
  
• Miss Hemminger for ordering fortune cookies and red envelopes so the fifth grade can celebrate the Lunar New Year.
  

Thank you all for the many ways you strengthen our One Masterman community.

Stay classy, Blue Dragons!
Principal Laurie