Last Saturday, The Ellis Future Cities Team competed against forty two teams from around the Pittsburgh area in a regional competition.  They made the top five and after a final round of presentations, placed third overall. The ten Middle School girls, their teachers and a team of supportive parents had worked for many Saturdays to create a city of the future that would be a model city.  This project, with such a great outcome, took hours of planning, work, trial and error, compromise, analysis, creativity, patience, perseverance and vision.  Ellis girls follow their passions, whether they lie in science, math, humanities or the arts.  They learn that following your passion requires hard work and discipline, as well as a love of the subject or activity.

On February 9^th, several of our Ellis girls will perform at Heinz Hall, as they follow their passions in the performing arts . It is the result of a wonderful partnership with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra .   This is our second year to participate in this program and the girls are working hard to prepare for their pre-concert performance.  Our Lower School Strings Ensemble is aptly named, The Sparkly Purple Strings.   These girls, ages 4-10 are learning the discipline necessary to perform.   Performances by the Sparkly Purple Strings, the Middle and Upper School Silver Strings,  and the Upper School Glee Club will take place in the Grand Lobby.   The girls will Meet the Maestro who will mingle with Ellis families prior to the PSO concert, The Planets, by Holst.

Tickets are available for this concert.  We hope to see a great Ellis turnout supporting the girls and their love of music.  Below is information about this special day at Heinz Hall:

These rich experiences, from creating future cities to performing at Heinz Hall, make an imprint on the girls.  They help them learn how to work toward a goal, to strive for the best, to take risks and stretch themselves.  Even if they don’t get first place, they still shine.   See you at the concert!