Twelfth Grade
Four seniors named National Merit Finalists
This month, four KCD seniors were selected by the National Merit Scholarship Program as National Merit finalists. Danny Cooper, Alden Dowds, Benji Niswonger, and Michelle Worthington were bestowed this honor based on their academic record, SAT scores, activities and leadership record, and an essay. Only one percent of the high school senior population nationwide receive this honor each year. Danny, Alden, Benji, and Michelle will now compete for 8,200 National Merit Scholarships awarded this spring. Congratulations to these students on this achievement!
Driving simulator warns students about distracted driving
On February 5, KCD seniors participated in a driving simulation illustrating the dangers of distracted driving. In particular, the simulator demonstrated how texting while driving can lead to disastrous results. The simulator program is operated by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.
The previous day, students had heard from Manual student Wil Craig, who was severely injured in a crash resulting from text messaging while driving.
A bill banning texting while driving was recently passed by the Kentucky House of Representatives, making this a particularly timely issue. WAVE-3 covered the story during their February 5 broadcasts (no video, but you can read the transcript here), and WKYU radio included the KCD simulation as part of their story on the issue.
Daniel Mark receives State and Metro Honors
Senior place-kicker Daniel Mark continues to receive high accolades from various news organizations for his brilliant performance on the football field. Daniel was named to the Courier-Journal All-State Team (Honorable Mention) and the Voice-Tribune All-Metro Team. Mark becomes the fourth Bearcat to receive this All-State honor in the last four years (kicker Brad Zoppoth, 2006; punter Trey Beam, 2006; and kicker Campbell Brewer, 2007). Daniel is the only player from Class A or Class AA to receive the All-State honor and is one of only two All-Metro kickers selected from every school in Jefferson County. His All-State and All-Metro recognition becomes more impressive recognizing the fact Daniel was a two-sport fall athlete receiving Honorable Mention All-State status in Boys’ Soccer.
Daniel was earlier named PAC Conference “Kicker of the Year” and is the first KCD kicker to be named two years in a row. Additionally, he was selected District “Player of the Year,” becoming the first Bearcat and the first kicker in the entire district to earn the honor. Mark led the state of Kentucky this season in successful field goals and completed his career at Kentucky Country Day breaking four place-kicking school records.
Read the Courier-Journal article
Daniel Mark named District Player of the Year
Congratulations to senior Daniel Mark, who has been named as the 2009 District Football Player of the Year as well as the 2009 PAC Kentucky High School Kicker of the Year. Daniel is the first kicker to win the honor of All District Player of the Year. As of November 17, Daniel led the state in season field goals with a total of ten. In the 2009 season, he broke four school records with eighteen career field goals, ten season field goals, a career made field goal percentage of 75%, and a season made field goal percentage of 83.33%. Daniel is also being considered for the Kentucky All-Star Football Team.
Daniel has also found success in other sports as well. As a nationally ranked tennis player, he achieved a top-five ranking in the Southern Region in 2006. On the soccer field, he was selected to the USA Youth Soccer Team for the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2008. Daniel was also a member of the 2008 National Semi-finalist Javanon Soccer Club.
Above: Daniel and other multisport athletes get a ride from the soccer field to the football field.
Daniel, who is a two-time All State Soccer player, accepted a scholarship last summer to play soccer at the University of Pittsburgh of the Big East conference in the fall of 2010.
KCD seniors win U of L 4v4 lacrosse tourney
Earlier this month, a team of KCD seniors recently won the 4v4 Shootout Tournament sponsored by University of Louisville Lacrosse. The November 20 event drew eleven teams of women's high school lacrosse players from Kentucky and Ohio.
KCD's winning team was comprised of seniors Lauren Adams, Ellen Esterhay, Mimi Magruder, Michelle Worthington, and goalie Laura Campbell.
“We are very proud that our girls were able to showcase their skills at this event,” said KCD Head Coach Patrick McAnulty. “Everyone is looking forward to a great season led by these seniors, and the others, who have worked so hard over the years.”
