Real Truth at Principia

The word Mascot can be traced to the medieval Latin word masca, meaning “mask” or “witch”.The notion of a mascot as a lucky charm stems from the 1880 French operetta La Mascotte, in which a farm girl bestowed a fortune on anyone she met.  Translated into English, the show became The Mascot and debuted in theaters in Boston and New York.

It seems Mrs. Morgan was on to something as a Christian Scientist and founder of Principia when she determined that Principia’s sports teams should be called the Gold and Blue - as luck has nothing to do with Christian Science demonstration.So why do we have a Panther?  

Just wondering. 

click here for a .pdf of a Letter to the Editor that Merlin Lewis submitted to the Pilot on February 12, 2008.  The letter was published in the most recent issue of the Pilot - dated May 16, 2008.

Lewis Letter to Editor

The past two days have been sun-drenched and full of victories for the Principia athletes competing at the State High School Track & Field meet.

On Friday, Principia’s Boys 4×800 Meter team took home its 3rd straight state title in a season best time of 7:59.4 - The team of Patrick Harber, Seth Winterroth, Nick Barron & Aaron Minsk came from behind to claim the Victory.

On Saturday, Principia’s Girls 4×800 Meter team won its first state title since 1992 also running a season best time of 9:49.4!  The team of Cristina Green, Jackie West, Anneke Reed & Stephanie Romero lead from early on and held off the other 15 teams! 

 Later on Saturday the same quartet of girls competed in the 4×400 placing 2nd overall!

The Principia School had many fine performances over the 2 day event including 2nd & 4th place finishes in the boys 1600 by runners Nick Barron & Aaron Minsk. 

Look here later this week for a complete rundown of the two days of competition.

This past Saturday, Principia Upper School hosted the Class 2, Section 1 Track Meet where High School students compete to qualify for an opportunity to race at the Missouri High School State Championships held in Jefferson City, MO Friday May 16th & Saturday May 17th.

Principia qualified 18 athletes for the upcoming state meet. This is more athletes than any of the other schools competing at our Sectional Meet. (the top 4 finishers at sectionals move ahead to the state meet)

For the boys events Principia qualified the following events/athletes:

The 4×800 meter relay team of McGuire Semnacher, David Kidson, Seth Winterroth and Patrick Harber placed first. (alternates are Aaron Minsk & Nick Barron)

The 4×400 meter relay team of Austin Holmsely, Larry Patterson, Patrick Harber and Nick Barron placed first. (alternates are: Creighton Keller & Dana Gaubatz)

800 Meter Run: Patrick Harber & Nick Barron placed 3rd & 4th respectively

1600 Meter Run:  Nick Barron & Aaron Minsk placed 1st and 2nd respectively

3200 Meter Run: Seth Winterroth & Aaron Minsk placed 1st and 3rd respectively

Pole Vault: Tim Gilman placed 3rd

For the Girls the following events/individuals qualified for state competition:

4×800 Meter Relay Team placed first with Anneke Reed, Jackie West, Cristina Green & Stephanie Romero (alternates are Haley Connolly & Amanda Escruceria)

4×400 Meter Relay Team placed first with Anneke Reed, Jackie West, Cristina Green & Stephanie Romero (alternates are Haley Connolly and Bronwyn Kirkpatrick)

400 Meter Dash:  Stephanie Romero placed 4th

800 Meter Run:  Jackie West placed 2nd

1600 Meter Run: Amanda Escruceria placed 2nd

300 Meter Hurdles: Bronwyn Kirkpatrick placed 3rd

Discus Throw:  Anneke Reed placed 4th

The team will head down to Jefferson City on Thursday with a stop at the state Capital where they will meet with Missouri Committee On Publication David Corbitt and an opportunity to hear a legislative session.

Competition begins Friday May 16th at the Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City and concludes Saturday May 17th.

Come down and cheer on these great student athletes! 

For the first time in more than 15 years, both the Boys and Girls track teams at the Principia Upper School won their District Track Meet. 

Principia competes in the Missouri Class 2, District 1 region.

The Girls team won the meet with 126.5 points to 2nd place Crystal City’s 110 points.  A total of 14 teams competed in the meet.

The Girls team qualifed in 10 events for the upcoming Sectional Meet. In several events the girls qualified two athletes. 

Stephanie Romero, a sophomore, set the school record in the 400 with a time of 59.6.  Cristina Green, a senior, also qualified in the 400.  

In the 800 meter run both Jackie West and Haley Connolly, seniors, will run at Sectionals. 

Senior, Amanda Escruceria qualified in the 1600 meter run. 

Junior, Bronwyn Kirkpatrick qualified in the 300 meter hurdles. 

Sophomore, Annie Fitchett qualified in the Pole Vault while fellow classmate Anneke Reed qualified for sectionals in both the shot put and discuss. 

Sophomore Larie Patterson also qualified in the shot put.

The Girls also qualified their 4×800 meter, 4×400 meter and 4×200 meter relay teams.

The Boys team won with a total of 113 points to Crystal City’s 101 points. (a total of 14 teams competed). The Boys victory was not sealed until the final event of the day, the 4×400 which Principia won with a season best time of 3:35.59.

The Boys team qualified multiple athletes by placing 1st and 2nd in each of the following events:

3200 meters: Seniors Aaron Minsk and Seth Winterroth.

1600 meters: Senior Aaron Minsk and Junior Nick Barron. 

800 meters: Senior Patrick Harber and Junior Nick Barron. 

Pole Vault: Sophomore Timothy Gilman and Freshman Jake Roometoa

Additionally the boys team qualifed in the 4×800 meter relay, the 4×400 meter relay and the 4×200 meter relay.

Both Boys and Girls qualifiers will be competing this coming Saturday in the Sectional qualifying meet being hosted by Principia.  The meet begins at 11:00 a.m.  During the sectional meet the top 4 finishers in each event qualify to go on and compete in State competition which will be held in Jefferson City, MO on May 16th & 17th.

Please come out and cheer on this hard working and talented group of young Christian Scientists.