Binks Pointe Luxury Townhome Community Now Open To Residents

Years in the making, the new Binks Pointe community has arrived, and residents can finally purchase these high-end, luxury townhomes located off Binks Forest Drive, just across the street from the prestigious Wellington National Golf Club.

As the original families of Wellington look to downsize and new couples seek homes in the family-friendly community, Binks Pointe couldn’t have found a better time for its grand opening.

Perfect for families or the semi-retired, each of these three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath homes comes with a two-car garage, impact doors and windows, and use of the 4,750-square-foot clubhouse with its spacious Grande Hall, bistro bar area, fully equipped fitness center, game room, catering kitchen, heated swimming pool, sundeck, putting green and horseshoe pit.

Priced from the $370,000s, each of 90 units has an open plan, quality finishes and high ceilings.

“We’re a very small, intimate builder,” Mike Smolak of Schickedanz Builders Group explained. “We’ve been in South Florida since 1981. We make every effort to make our homes as quality-minded as possible, and that goes not only from the structure itself, in meeting — and exceeding — all the building codes, but to our service. If you’ve got a problem, we’re going to be there to take care of it. You don’t have to call an 800 number somewhere. We’re accessible.”

Sales agent Teresa Appelgate stressed that it is a family-owned builder business with the highest of integrity and quality.

“Our clients are never disappointed when they close,” she said. “I meet the buyers, help them with their color choices and so on. We’re getting young families that are here specifically for the schools — Binks Forest Elementary School, for instance — and many current Wellington residents from the Binks Preserve and the Binks Estates, who know the value of the Binks Forest area. They want to downsize, so they can lock and leave without worrying about mowing the grass, putting up hurricane shutters and dealing with a pool. We are also getting some seasonal equestrians looking for a second home. It’s a very nice neighborhood for people — and they still get a new house, not a re-sell.”

Schickedanz Building Group chose Wellington carefully, even as the community approached the maximum build-out for new construction. They liked its “hometown character.”

“For the people who want to live in Wellington, the schools may be important for them, the Wellington lifestyle would be important to them,” builder Garry Schickedanz said. “There aren’t that many opportunities in Wellington to buy a new home.”

Wellington has been named among the “Top 100 Best Places to Live” by Money Magazine based on it having more than two dozen neighborhood parks and its reputation as the international epicenter of equestrian sports. The community’s newly renovated, world-class Wellington National Golf Club is within walking distance of Binks Pointe.

The townhomes of this small gated community feature walking trails with numerous gazebos, a nature preserve with a boardwalk and lookout, and abundant guest parking.

“When you walk into this townhome, it feels and lives like a home,” Smolak said. “You’ve got volume ceilings on both the first and second floors — it just gives you a feeling of expansiveness. We’ve incorporated a covered patio on the first floor, and above it, off the master bedroom suite, is a covered balcony. You’ve got a huge master bedroom area, along with two very large walk-in closets, over 12 inches of vanity top with two sinks. You’ve got a shower that is just magnificent. You’ve got to come see that to believe it. It has frameless doors and two showerheads.”

Appelgate agreed that the homes are surprisingly spacious.

“That’s one comment that we do get frequently,” she said. “When people come in, they say it doesn’t feel like a townhouse. The volume ceilings, the downstairs open area, there aren’t a lot of chopped-up areas.”

When designing the Binks Pointe townhomes, Schickedanz Building Group took into consideration what is of primary importance to families today:

• The main living space offers 8-foot-tall doors, LED lighting and oversized tile. The carpeted stairway has a red oak handrail with black ornamental balusters. The entire home has been pre-wired for telephone, cable television, high-speed internet and entertainment system speakers, and has a built-in security system.
• The eat-in kitchen features solid quartz countertops with a backsplash, maple cabinetry with soft-close drawers and doors, under-cabinet xenon lighting, a stainless-steel appliance package, crown molding, recessed lighting and a separate breakfast bar.
• The powder room has polished chrome fixtures and a pedestal sink, while the second bathroom offers maple cabinetry and a quartz vanity. The master bath offers maple cabinetry with soft-close drawers and doors, a quartz vanity top with a dressing table and two sinks, that awesome shower and a linen closet.
• The master suite has an elegant coffered ceiling, 8-foot-high double-entry French doors, two spacious closets with 8-foot mirrored sliding glass doors, and a covered second floor balcony with a railing.

“In today’s world, there’s nothing more important than quality,” Smolak stressed.

By mid-June, eight units had been completed. One was being used as a model, one buyer was moving in at the end of the month, and three families were already firmly ensconced in their new luxury townhomes. A seven-unit building will soon be move-in ready, and a second model is being prepared to show an interior unit.

The new Binks Pointe development will have only 17 buildings at close-out, making it a rather friendly little neighborhood. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, you may want to hurry.

Binks Pointe is located at 15700 Binks Pointe Terrace, just off Binks Forest Drive. Model tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.binkspointe.com or call (561) 508-1324.

European Wax Center Brings Unique Expertise And Stellar Customer Service To Wellington

After practicing law for 24 years, Lisa Monica Schiller was looking to own her own business. She was a regular guest of the European Wax Center, so she was familiar with the company’s product and quality of service. When she discovered that EWC had a prime franchise territory available, it was a match made in Wellington.

“I couldn’t imagine a better opportunity for me than owning an EWC franchise,” said Schiller, whose new business opened in May near Whole Foods Market on State Road 7.

“Corporate did its research and saw a need for an EWC in the Wellington area,” Schiller explained. “I was lucky enough to be presented the opportunity. I can’t imagine a better location than Wellington’s unique hometown, family environment. Our center is the perfect addition to a community that expects and deserves the highest quality services. Where better to offer the ultimate wax experience and pampering from the moment a guest steps into the center to the moment they strut out?”

Since her grand opening, Schiller has been thrilled with the community’s initial response. “The business is seeing a rapid increase in new guests and a consistent increase in our repeat guests,” she said. “Our scheduling books are getting busy, and our guests seem to be thrilled with the services.”

Schiller said that EWC’s success can be attributed to exceptional customer care, premium quality services and products, and the belief that luxurious waxing should be attainable to anyone seeking beautiful skin. Regular waxing, she noted, ensures that hair grows back softer, finer and sparser, making ongoing maintenance much more comfortable.

Her new location has been steadily building clientele with her local marketing.

“This includes our refer-a-friend program — for every friend referred, the guest receives $10 on their account — our advertising, our e-mail and local mail campaigns, meeting people out and about in Wellington, partnering with neighboring businesses, and our involvement with the local chamber of commerce and the community.”

The focus, however, is on providing the ultimate guest experience so that existing clients are so happy with the experience that they tell others.

“One of our first acts as a new business was to join the Wellington Chamber of Commerce,” said Schiller, adding that she and her manager are members of the chamber’s Medical & Wellness Committee. “Additionally, we were the host business for the Women of Wellington’s Luau Summer Mixer to benefit Animal Care & Control. We are very excited to have been able to host this wonderfully successful event. We have additional events in the works throughout the second half of 2018 with local businesses and charities.”

Schiller is proud that her franchise has become an integral part of the Wellington community.

“Our facility, like each and every EWC, features the highest level of professionalism, timeliness, unparalleled products and the top experts available in waxing and customer service — all in a chic and sophisticated European-inspired center,” she explained. “But the number-one reason our guests return is that they love the way we consistently deliver smooth, silky skin from the most comfortable wax experience they’ve ever had.”

The store also carries its own line of pre-wax and post-wax maintenance products that continue to work between waxes to ensure visibly smooth and hair-free skin. “The EWC product line will improve the way the skin looks, feels and responds to the hair regrowth process,” Schiller said.

Summer is a great time to try out the EWC experience, she said.

“We are offering our summer product limited-edition travel kits with some of our most popular products, as well as our back-to-school brow kit,” Schiller said. “Additionally, through the summer, we will be offering $10 off any $45 or more full-priced services for anyone who mentions that they saw our ad — or this article — in Wellington The Magazine. We will also offer, throughout the summer, our specially priced wax pass, which allows guests to buy nine services and get two free, or buy six services and get one free. Plus, we offer our 12-month unlimited bikini, eyebrow, underarm or full-face wax pass, as well as our student wax pass, which allows those with a valid student ID to purchase four services and get one complimentary.”

Schiller expects to add other promotions over the next few months.

“Guests should also check back through the summer for surprise promotions, specials and new product launches, including our newest face mask, which not only hydrates, but is the only mask on the market that contains hair growth inhibitors,” she said. “And for first time guests, we will continue to offer women their first eyebrow, underarm or bikini line complimentary, or 50 percent off their first Brazilian, and for men, their first eyebrow, nose, ears and brows treatment is complimentary.”

As a brand, EWC is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled experience, Schiller said.

“Our center offers our guests a luxurious waxing experience with our proprietary, trademarked comfort wax, in a modern environment featuring crisp, clean centers, with our private waxing suites and the most professionally trained waxing experts with exceptional service,” she said. “There are other businesses that offer wax services, but here at EWC, that is all we do, and it’s what makes us the experts in waxing.”

Founded by siblings David and Josh Coba in 2004, the EWC concept is to bring its unique waxing expertise and experience to women and men across the United States. The Wellington location is open seven days a week, with late evening hours to accommodate busy schedules.

“And with close to 700 centers open nationwide, guests can enjoy our first-class experience that is competitively priced and consistent every single time at every location,” Schiller said. “Plus, guests have the luxury of using their wax passes in any EWC throughout the country.”

European Wax Center in Wellington is located at 2557 S. State Road 7 in the Whole Foods Market plaza. For more information, call (561) 257-5099 or visit www.waxcenter.com.  

Wellington Youth Battle Blood Cancer Through LLS’s ‘Pennies For Patients’

For 10 years, the students of Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Wellington have rallied as only the young and energetic can to battle an unlikely foe — blood cancer.

This year marked a decade of the students participating in the Student Series Pennies for Patients program, benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Palm Beach Area Chapter. In 2018, they raised more than $10,000, all while having a ton of fun.

On March 15, the students put their teachers and administrators to the test during the annual Pie Day. Students paid $10 to “pie” a teacher, $20 for the assistant principal and $30 for the principal.

“This was our fourth annual Pie Day, so our kids look so forward to this event every year, and now it runs like such a well-oiled machine,” said Nicole Martinez, guidance counselor at Elbridge Gale Elementary School and Pennies for Patients coordinator. “We all try to have fun with it, as we know what an amazing cause it supports. The kids think it’s the best thing ever when they get to pie their teachers.”

Since 2008, the Elbridge Gale students have also held dress down days, bake sales and skate nights to support blood cancer patients and their families. During that time, the students have raised more than $100,000 total, one penny at a time.

“We are truly grateful to the students and faculty of Elbridge Gale Elementary School through our Pennies for Patients campaign. Their commitment to instilling leadership and support for those fighting cancer will add tremendously to our mission to find cures for blood cancers,” said Pamela Payne, executive director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Palm Beach Chapter.

Students of other Wellington-area schools also accepted the challenge to raise as much money and awareness as they could during the month of March in small, yet meaningful ways. By collecting the smallest dominator of U.S. currency, they raised thousands of dollars. Three schools challenged each other to a “Penny War” among the students and staff of the Renaissance Charter School at Wellington, the Renaissance Charter School at Cypress and the Renaissance Charter School at Palms West.

The Renaissance Charter School at Wellington emerged victorious, collecting $2,281.82 in donations in three weeks. An award ceremony and check presentation was held on March 27 with Principal Mary Beth Greene; Karla Santiago, administrative assistant to the Principal; and teacher Jessica Fischer, the school’s Pennies for Patients coordinator. Kindergarten and first-grade students were also in attendance.

Other participating Wellington schools included Binks Forest Elementary School, which has consistently raised between $4,000 and $6,000 for the past seven years, and Wellington Elementary School, where students finished strong this year by doubling the amount they raised in 2017.

This year, the local LLS chapter was able to partner with the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center. With 138 pediatric beds, it is the largest children’s hospital in Palm Beach County. With its award-winning pediatric emergency department, special surgical care unit, prestigious pediatric cancer program and comprehensive outpatient centers, it is committed to area children. Additionally, the hospital has a dedicated team of child life specialists. These highly trained professionals use various medical play tactics and kid-friendly language to help children of various age groups understand why they need medical treatment, while also guiding parents on how they can help their child feel more relaxed during a hospital stay.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.lls.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

Area Private Schools offer Strong Academic Programs for All Grade Levels

The old adage “live and learn” is alive and well here in the Wellington area. The living is wonderful, and the learning opportunities include some of the best private schools in the nation at all grade levels, preparing students for the next stage of their education.

 

American Heritage School

As one of South Florida’s top private schools, the nationally recognized American Heritage School teaches knowledge, integrity and compassion to pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, with a low student to faculty ratio of eight to one.

The fully accredited school features a 240-acre campus in Delray Beach, as well as a 40-acre campus in Plantation in Broward County. The co-ed, non-sectarian college preparatory day school has an enrollment of approximately 4,300 students.

“One of our strengths is the broadness of our curriculum with almost 300 different course offerings in the high school alone, including 30 different Advanced Placement courses, with the highest passing rate in Palm Beach County, a 92 percent passing rate,” American Heritage Vice President Dr. Douglas Laurie said.

One key strength of the school is its strong specialty programs. “We have a pre-medical program and a pre-law program,” Laurie said. “Right now, we are building a multi-million-dollar science research and engineering building for our engineering, robotics and science research program.”

A key strength of the programs is who is teaching them.

“All three of these programs are taught by medical doctors, attorneys and engineers who are on staff teaching the courses,” Laurie said. “These are courses that no other school has, like medical terminology, embryology, pathology, electrical engineering, trial advocacy, moot court, criminal law, mock trial, family law, business law, civil engineering — and they’re all advanced courses.”

American Heritage students also get real-world experience outside the classroom. “Students can serve internships and visit with doctors and lawyers and engineers, and see the practice of medicine and law and engineering to help them decide if that’s what they want to do,” Laurie said. “That’s one of the unique things that we have.”

The school also has an extremely accomplished math competition program. “We are the number three private school in the nation in math competition, and the number one school in Palm Beach County,” he said. “In the science competition, we’re one of the best in the country.”

All these programs make sure students have the ability to shine academically.

“We’re wont to find competitive outlets for students with high academic standards to be able to compete, and so we make sure that we challenge them in the classroom and we treat these academic competitions as a team, like a lot of schools might treat a sports team, because the students are competitive and highly intelligent,” Laurie said. “We want to make sure they have a chance to shine, and it bodes well for the college resumes.”

Students from the school, representing the United States and 43 other countries from around the world, have three times the national average placement at prestigious U.S. colleges and universities.

There is also an award-winning fine arts program with 75 choices for students. “So, if someone’s interested in the fine arts, it’s also a great place to be,” Laurie said.

The school provides a rigorous private school education with participation in community involvement, a wide variety of service activities and a technologically advanced and well-rounded environment. Express bus transportation is offered from the Wellington area, which is home of many American Heritage students.

Each campus features athletic teams with a no-cut policy, extensive after school activities, a gymnasium, Olympic-size pool and tennis complex. The school seeks to graduate students prepared in mind, body and spirit to maximize their potential and meet the requirements of the colleges of their choice.

For information about American Heritage School, call (561) 495-7272 or visit www.ahschool.com.

 

Wellington Preparatory School

The Wellington Preparatory School offers an accelerated program for kindergarten through sixth grade. Its mission is to deliver a top academic education while providing supportive co-curricular activities in a co-educational, non-sectarian, private school environment.

The school was founded by Jeffrey Altschuler after a successful career growing Meritas Schools, a premium kindergarten through 12th grade family of college preparatory schools around the world.

Wellington Prep follows an accelerated program that encompasses a modified gifted curriculum with various supplemental programs.

“We are an advanced college preparatory school always staying one grade level ahead, with a small ratio of 15 students per teacher,” Principal Sandy Montoya explained.

The core curriculum includes math, science, social studies and language arts, including reading, writing and phonics.

“Co-curricular activities provide for the study of violin, art, karate and Spanish,” said Montoya, adding that Wellington Prep students also learn about health and nutrition. “The program is highly focused on academics with an emphasis on security.”

As academic performance is directly related to instructional time spent on each subject, the school devotes specific hours to core subjects. Additional co-curricular activities are available before or after school for parents requiring additional time at the beginning or end of the school day.

Each student learns conversational Spanish, as well as how to read and write the language, and students take a violin class. In addition to helping with the music education and coordination, the study of a non-fretted instrument has been shown to assist with math and reading skills.

Children are exposed to the lives and art of the great masters at each grade level, with a more in-depth experience as they grow older in the Meet the Masters art curriculum.

For more information about the Wellington Preparatory School, call (561) 649-7900 or visit www.wellingtonprep.org.

 

Education Place

When a flexible schedule is of paramount importance in a student’s life, Education Place in Wellington is on hand to meet their educational requirements.

“We provide for professional children, athletes, those whose parents have constrained schedules and students who find other environments too overwhelming or prefer flexibility in their education,” explained Judy Blake, director of the Lower School at Education Place. “The school is by no means easy. There’s a lot of accountability for the student.”

Nationally and internationally accredited, the school covers grades one through 12 and teaches many equestrians in the Wellington area from around the world, allowing these students to continue their educations by working from outside a traditional school.

“We have students who participate in polo, jumping and dressage, plus child actors and athletes,” Blake said. “They work individually or in small groups, on-site or as they travel. We have a very small population of about 100 students with a small ratio of seven students for each teacher.”

The Education Place program is tailored to each student.

“These teachers can provide a lot of instructional support depending on what works best for the student,” Blake explained. “They get to know the students very well. The program is student-driven with the children managing their time and their academics. They take personal responsibility, learn to be independent and manage their time and their academics, even in the first grade. As they grow older, they are given more demands and responsibility. Our high school graduates find they can go to any college they want and frequently have scholarships available to them.”

Education Place runs 12 months a year because students travel with their sport or career, and this maximizes their opportunities to learn.

“The school also serves the general population, as well as students who are professionals and children of professionals,” Blake said. “It succeeds whenever flexibility is a big factor.”

For more information, call (561) 753-6563 or visit www.1educationplace.com.  

 

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool for children ages 2 to 5 is a place where little learners thrive academically, in an atmosphere of joy, curiosity, self-esteem, friendship and respect.

As the only NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and Gold Seal accredited program in the western communities, its educational strategies are based on cutting-edge research in best practices for young children.

“Our mission is to provide academic readiness, and to instill cultural identity, Jewish values and character development in all of our students,” said Sandy Wilensky, the school’s director.

The program offers a combination of secular and Judaic developmental curricula, designed to empower all children to reach their potential. Challenges that exceed the level of present mastery are offered throughout the day, providing opportunities to learn, practice and expand newly acquired skills and recognize and nourish individual variations.

The preschool’s integrated academic program embeds all of the learning objectives in children’s experiences so that each child’s learning is unique and meaningful. “For children under 6, the research on early learning shows that more of what is learned must be meaningful on the day it is learned, in addition to its context for future learning,” Wilensky explained.

In addition to the indoor classrooms with centers for learning, extensive outdoor spaces include gardens planted and cared for by the children and materials to learn fine motor control, such as outdoor chalkboards and drawing boards.

Throughout the day, the school’s teachers combine carefully framed learning objectives with the spontaneity that emerges from children active in the learning process.

Themed areas of study, including problem solving, scientific exploration, math, language, writing and literacy, along with creative art, music, movement and dramatic play, are an integral part of every child’s day. The Assessments Teaching Strategies GOLD method assures that the children are progressing in all areas of kindergarten readiness.

For more information about Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool, call (561) 793-2649 or visit www.templebethtorahpre school.com.––

Elite Sports Programs Shine At Area Private Schools

The King’s Academy

The TKA boys track team was regional champion for the first time in school history, while girls track captured the team’s second regional championship, and first since 2006. Together, the Lions sent 26 athletes to the Class 1A state meet.

Highlighting the track team’s performance at states was Brianna Oats, who brought home two third-place finishes in the 300-yard hurdles and in the 100-yard hurdles, where she was just 1/100th of a second out of second place. Justin Bridgewater had the best finish, placing second in the 800-meter run.

Cheerleading has been one of TKA’s best programs over the last decade, and this year was no different. The competitive cheer team, coached by Jenn Allen, was the runner-up in the Class 1A medium division non-tumbling, and also earned National Grand Champion honors for a second time at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders Championships.

The girls volleyball team went 26-1, winning the district and finishing as the regional runner-up. Madeline Furtado was named the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) National Player of the Year, and Ashlei Furtado was NCSAA Coach of the Year.

The Lions football team won the South Florida Conference championship for the second consecutive season, and the boys lacrosse team had a breakthrough season, going 16-2 and finishing as the district runner-up.

“It has always been my desire and goal to support our teams, help with resources, and encourage a pursuit of excellence in all of our individual programs,” TKA Athletic Director Adam Winters said. “We have seen a resurgence in many teams, with others really encouraging and pushing their athletes to reach their potential. Many of our teams have become competitively relevant, while others are taking strides forward in competing at a high level. I am proud of our coaches, their desire to impact lives for the lord, while building champions from elementary through the high school levels.”

American Heritage School

The American Heritage School boys soccer team, featuring a lethal combination of speed and skill, rose to the top once again, capturing the Class 2A state championship with a dominating 5-0 triumph over the Bolles School in Jacksonville. It was the team’s second consecutive shutout, as the Stallions outscored their opponents 15-3 in the five state playoff games.

It was the fourth state championship, but first since 2011, for American Heritage. The Stallions also won titles in 2009 and 2006, reaching the state final on three other occasions since 2004.

But the team struggled in the last five years relative to these past successes, failing to reach the final four every year since 2013. That changed this year as the veteran American Heritage squad got goals from Nick Ludovico, Alex Guichard, Doug Phillips, Nick Marchionni and Giovanni Fraser and cruised to victory, getting back to a familiar position as the premier team.

The Stallions also dominated the Class 2A tennis finals with Melissa Sakar winning the girls individual and overall singles titles, and added the girls doubles title with Hayden Bethea. Not to be outdone, Steven Sun captured the boys singles overall title and added the doubles overall crown with Hunter Robbins.

American Heritage ended the season on a high note when the girls lacrosse team, coached by John McClain, captured its first state title, defeating Lake Highland Prep 10-7 for the Class 2A crown.

It was the second state tournament appearance in the past three years for the Stallions, who were ranked No. 1 in the country for a short time and spent most of the season in the Top 10. The program began just four years ago.

The Stallions were led all season by sophomore Caitlyn Wurzburger, who reached the 100 goals/100 assists mark for the third time; reportedly only the third time it has been done by a high-schooler. She had a lot of help, including from Allegra Catalano, Kylie Hazen and Megan Mangines, who all return next season.

The Stallions were dominant en route to the title game, eliminating 10-time state champ Vero Beach 11-5 in the state semifinals and advancing to the final four with a 16-4 win over perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. They finished with a 21-1 record.

The American Heritage baseball program has been led by manager Carm Mazza for 20 years and is almost always one of the top teams in the county. The squad reached the state semifinals in 2017, and in mid-April, Mazza earned his 400th career victory. This season, the team amassed a 22-6 record and reached the regional final in mid-May with an eye on the state title.

OXBRIDGE ACADEMY

The highlight this year for the Oxbridge Academy was its dominating victory in the Class 5A girls basketball championship game. Four players scored in double figures en route to a 55-39 triumph over Lake Highland Prep. There were no seniors on the roster.

Alexa Zaph led the ThunderWolves with a game-high 18 points, supported by Haley Howarth (13 points), Aaliyah Stanley (12 points) and Kaylon Smith (10 points).

It was the school’s first state title in girls basketball and second overall state crown. Last year, the girls soccer team captured the Class 2A championship. “For us, the scoreboard will never determine our success,” Athletic Director Patrick Hollern said. “We want our students to make a positive impact in the next 10, 15 years.”

Individually, Hannah Kanjian won the Class 2A state title in the high jump and was also a member of the soccer team that reached the state championship game this year, dropping a 4-0 decision. Kanjian cleared 5 feet, 3.75 inches on her third attempt in the three-way jump-off to earn the title.

There isn’t a regulation track at Oxbridge, but the school now has a high jump pit. “It shows her determination,” Hollern said. “She adopted that spartan mindset.”

The Oxbridge football team also reached the state championship game, but their rally fell short, losing 31-28. The ThunderWolves finished with a 10-2 record.

“Their great comeback showed great resolve,” Hollern said. “It was an emotional game, and I know the team can learn from it. We learn from the setbacks, and we learn from the successes.”

Other top performances included Jen Secrest’s third-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley and fourth in the 100-yard butterfly at the Class 1A state swim meet, as well as Jamian Lovett’s sixth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the Class 2A meet.

What impresses Hollern is how the teams and athletes compete at Oxbridge, which has about 525 students while completing its seventh year. “We’ve done well with wins and losses, but I’m hoping we make a bigger impact than that,” Hollern said.