The Archer School for Girls is hosting its fourth-annual interdisciplinary student academic conference on February 18. Entitled “Literature and…,” the unique and ambitious co-ed program challenged advanced students from area schools to critically synthesize a piece of literature with a cultural touchstone from any other discipline. Participants were required to not only write a complex analysis on their chosen topic, but also to publicly present it for panel review and questioning. “Literature and…” promotes an academic exercise rarely seen at the high school level. Conference organizer Dr. Tyke O’Brien of Archer’s English Department developed the annual program to provide community students with an academic challenge more typical of that seen at the college graduate level and beyond. “This project provides a great opportunity for motivated students to share work and ideas with their peers from around Los Angeles,” says O’Brien. “It’s a day for the community to gather together for a really fun look at complex academic ideas; last year, presentations were punctuated with film clips, visual aids, and even a rap performance. Every participant responded in a way that reflected their intellectual curiosity and capacity to explore subjects well beyond the scope of the ‘typical’ high school curriculum.”

With impressive performances in two early season competitions, Archer's Varsity Basketball program is off to a fast start. In early December, the Team brought home the third place trophy after beating Bishop Conaty in the Buckley Holiday Tournament. Leslie Baker was named to the All-Tournament Team, averaging 14 points per game.

The Panthers then went on to win the Cougar Classic Tournament, defeating several squads on their way to a final win over Lake Arrowhead, 48-29. In addition to taking home the trophy, the team added even more individual awards: Leslie Baker was named tournament MVP and CoCo Maurice and Danielle Hausberg got first team. 

Civic responsibility and service is a key tenet that every Archer girl, Archer family, and faculty member holds to be of the utmost importance. Perhaps this is this no better exemplified than the annual outpouring of support from the Archer Community for the Adopt-A-Family program, an annual tradition that makes a major difference in the lives of others. Run by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the program helps provide critical items of need to deserving families around the city.