//Awards & Achievements
Students at Laurence are encouraged to achieve their highest potential academically and otherwise, always striving for their personal best.
Aside from the excitement of receiving awards and accolades, our students learn the satisfaction of working hard to accomplish goals and rising to the occasion when challenged.
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Chess Mates
2017-18
2018 National Elementary K-6 Championships
The Laurence Chess Team traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, last weekend to play in the 2018 National Elementary K-6 Championships, encompassing seven games, over 3 days - up to 3 hours per game - and more than 2,300 participants. Our kids were winners just being part of this incredible event. Nine Laurence students took part, representing Kindergarten through 6th grade: Eric V., Jocelyn M., Jake M., Ayden T., Greyson T., Luca R., Calvin K., Max W., and Asher B. participated. The Laurence team came in 11th in the nation out of 54 teams, and Calvin brought home the 3rd place trophy - really tying for 2nd - in his section, which included a total 300 kids. ALL of our students celebrated and supported, each other, and truly went all in, all the time. It was a LONG weekend, exhausting, but even after the tournament ended our students found other kids to play chess with out in the hallways. The parents of our chess competitors were also incredible, and we applaud them and thank them for their commitment to their children’s passion. Life lessons were learned, and memories that will last a lifetime were formed. The Laurence students displayed tremendous stamina and resilience, and we are so very proud of them! Congratulations!
2018 Southern California Scholastic State Chess Championships ("Super States")
Laurence's Chess Mates came out strong at tournament, over the March 17th weekend. Calvin K., Eric V., Luca R., and Emmett M. all took part, playing for more than 6 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday. More importantly, they played hard and represented Laurence admirably and with pride. Calvin placed 18th out of more than 100 players, while Calvin and Luca placed 4th as a team. Additionally, Eric's team also placed 4th in his respective section. We applaud all of them (and their parents!) for their tremendous dedication and commitment.
2018 L.A. Super City Chess Championships
Our Laurence Chess Mates participated in this tournament, persevering through five rounds of chess over six hours, winning and losing with grace and dignity in a field of over 260 children. Some won trophies, and ALL had a great time playing chess, where there is no such thing as losing - only learning. Congratulations to Greyson T., who came in 6th in his section.
Halloween Chess Tournament
The Laurence Chess Mates participated in the premiere of the Halloween Classic Chess Tournament this - a tough tournament for only invited, rated chess players. Greyson T., Luca R., Calvin K., and Mae Mae G. all competed, and as always, played with grace and dignity. Mae Mae received a 3rd place trophy in her section, and Calvin was right behind her, tying for 4th place. Congrats to all our Laurence Chess Mates on a great effort at this tournament!
2017 L.A. Back to School Chess Championship
The Laurence Chess Mates competed in this annual tournament. Everyone played their hearts out through five rounds, and Jocelyn M. and Andres M. both walked away with "top 10" trophies. Congrats to all of our Chess Mates!
Off Da Rook Tournament
The Laurence Chessmates recently kicked off their 2017-18 season with an "Off Da Rook" tournament. Fourteen of our players in 1st through 6th Grades participated and spent the day playing four rounds of chess - trophies were won, challenges were faced, and the team Represented the "L" with grace and dignity. Congratulations to Emmeline C. (3rd grade), Zach R. (4th grade), and Sammy S. (6th grade), who each placed in the top five of their sections! We are very proud of ALL our Chess Mates!
2016-17
SuperNationals VI
Fifteen students traveled to Nashville, Tennessee for the first time to compete in the largest tournament in history with included 5,577 competitors. Laurence teams took home fifth place in the K-3 Unrated section and 18th place in the K-3 Under 700 section. Additionally, one of our 5th Grade students placed 25th out of 279 players in the K-6 Under 1000 section.
Off da Rook Scholastic Chess Tournament
Laurence students took the first three places in one section at this February tournament! Congratulations to Logan M., Jackson B., and Sage B. for taking first, second, and third place in their division. Eric V., Asher B., and Luca R. also took home trophies. All of the students played hard and Represented the L with grace and dignity. Our Chess Mates are truly growing as chess players, and we are so proud of them.
2017 L.A. Super City Chess Championship
Twenty Laurence students competed in January at this city-wide tournament. All of our students played their hearts out, and Represented the "L" with grace, dignity, and honor. Kudos to Eric V., Mae Mae G., and J.J. M., all of whom came home with trophies.
2016 L.A. Holiday Chess Championship
Eighteen of our Laurence Chess Mates attended this championship in December. The students had a great time and worked hard, playing five rounds of chess throughout the day.
2015-16
Published Poets
2017
We are proud to announce that 15 Laurence 4th Graders had poems published in the Fall 2017 edition of A Celebration of Poets Anthology, K-6 Edition (www.poeticpower.com). Panels of educators viewed entries from thousands of students from the west coast to select the top submissions for publication in this anthology. Congratulations to Alene A., Jocie A., Alex B., Alexa B., Aubrey C., Katie D., Violet G., Sadie K., Emmett M., Jocelyn M., Lila S., Anthony S., Eva S., Kira S., and Jake W. on this fantastic accomplishment! In addition, Laurence School was honored as a Poetic Achievement Honor School, awarded to schools who have a large number of entries of which 50 percent are accepted for publication.
We are proud to announce that 5th Graders Bjorn W. and Maya K. were recently honored as "Noteworthy Entries" for the 2017 Youth Honor Awards in Skipping Stones magazine. The poems appear in the current Oct. – Dec. 2017 issue of this national multicultural literary publication, and were selected among thousands of entries.
Fifth Grader Katie K.'s poem, "A Star," was published in Issue 18 of HUTCH Magazine. HUTCH is a kids' literary and creativity magazine, which is released semi-annually under the direction of best-selling children's author Peter H. Reynolds. Congratulations!
Thirteen Laurence students had poems published in the Spring 2017 edition of A Celebration of Poets Anthology, K-6 edition. Panels of educators viewed entries from thousands of students from across the country to select the top submissions for publication in this anthology. Congratulations to 6th Grader Zoe R. and the following 5th Graders: Spencer B., Bobbie B., Rowan C., Ellie G., Elodie H., Katie K., Maya K., Alex L., Eric L., Ellie P., Noah P., and Bjorn W. In addition, Laurence School was named as a Poetic Achievement Honor School, awarded to schools who have a large number of entries, 50 percent of which are accepted for publication.
We are proud to announce that sixth grader Estella F. was recently published in Skipping Stones magazine for her poem "A Smile Is..." The poem appears in the January - March 2017 issue of the national multicultural literary magazine, and was selected among thousands of entries.
A Smile Is...
By Estella F.
A smile is contagious, like a virus that never stops
It goes from person to person, never stopping, just growing,
With one look you pass it on and it's on its way
Happiness is like the sun in your eyes,
Feeling like limits are impossible to touch,
Like the beating of a drum getting louder and louder,
Never stopping, just growing
Hope is like a friend, always there when you need it most,
Like a hand that never lets go,
It's always there to guide you
Love is like an arrow, when you aim it,
Sometimes you fail and sometimes you succeed
And when you do you jump with joy
Faith is like a warm, soft, fluffy blanket,
It's there whenever you need it,
It's there to comfort you, and to keep you warm
Like a shoulder to lean on, it's always there
2016
We are proud to announce that 20 Laurence students had their haiku poems published in Skipping Stones, a national multicultural literary magazine. The poems were selected as part of the 2016 Asian Celebration Haiku Contest of the July – September 2016 issue.
Congratulations to the following Laurence poets:
Second graders: Teddy B., Aubrey C., Yann H., Jocelyn M. (three poems published), Eli S., and Ruby S.
Fourth graders: Meghan D., Ava G., Evan K., Brady R., and Sierra S.
Sixth graders: Sofia B., Emily C., Michael G., Milla H., Amanda K., Thomas P., Zoey R., Matthew T., and Beck W.
2015
Congratulations to sixth grader Lea P. who is a “Top Ten Winner” in the Spring 2015 edition of the “A Celebration of Poets” anthology (www.poeticpower.com). Panels of educators viewed entries from thousands of students from across the country to select the top submissions for publication in this anthology. The top winners in each division receive a monetary award and a free book that includes their published poem.
Here is Lea's winning entry:
Ice
Scraped by rusty blades
Tap, toe, step, glide
Scuffed by white boots
Spiral spin
Crushed by jagged metal
Long thin lines
Etched in by clear
Intentions broken up
By jumps and
Music, giving instruction
Spraying snow with a stop
Smoothed by new beginnings
Ready to take someone far
Cold creeping
Through tights
Boxed in by walls
And boots eager to glide
Seventeen other Laurence students also appear in the same issue. Congratulations to the following fifth graders: Mighty B., Sascha B., Estella F., Brendan H., Grace H., Maya N., Sam P., Dylan S., Alison S., Fiona S., and Jenna Z.; and the following sixth graders: Olivia F., Andrew H., Amanda K., Tallulah M., Zoey R., and Alden S.
We are proud to announce that recent Laurence graduate Quinn C. was recently honored as a “Noteworthy Youth Honor Awards Entry” in Skipping Stones magazine for his poem “Sunset.” The poem appears in current Oct. – Dec. 2015 issue of the national multicultural literary magazine. His poem below was selected for its creativity and promotion of nature awareness among thousands of entries:
Sunset
By Quinn C.
The night seeps into the sky above
Like a droplet of black ink into the ocean
Every last drop of color
Exits the sky
Darkness corrupts
But during its last few moments
Something beautiful
In other exciting publishing news, 30 Laurence students were also featured in the 2015 Asian Celebration Haiku Times as “Noteworthy Entries” in Skipping Stones’ July – Sept 2015 issue. Congratulations to the following recent sixth graders who had their haiku poems published: Adeline G., Grant K., Tanisha G., Destiny G., Lexie B., Chloe S., Ryan M., Quinn C., Olivia P., Emery G., Cameron S., Jake P., Nick S., Claire S., Laina B., Kyle R., Ethan Z.
The following current fifth grade students are also published in same issue: Grace H., Logan M., Kyle R., Cora B., Peter B., Alison S., Ethan S., Sascha B., Alex S., Riley G., Baxter C. and Chloe A.
2013
Nine Laurence students had their poems selected for publication in the 2013 edition of the Anthology of Poetry, including fourth graders: Maggie F., Destiny G., Ethan Z., Mica P., Katelyn W., Chloe S., Lowell B., and Lucy I.
Skipping Stones magazine also honored our students. The magazine, which ties in nicely with the School’s global and garden themes, as it honors creative work that promotes cultural diversity, nature, and/or ecological sensitivity, published poetry and artwork by fourth graders Destiny G., Lowell B., Chloe S., Marley Y., and Mica P., as well as by third grader Tallulah M. and first grader Alison S.
Mathletes
2017-18
Culver City Math Olympiad
Laurence’s 4th and 5th Grade Math Clubs represented the “L” beautifully this past Saturday while competing at the Culver City Math Olympiad. The Mathletes displayed excellent sportsmanship while working to solve many challenging problems in both individual and team rounds. Congratulations to all of our Mathletes for their hard work, and a special congratulations to Alex L. for his 3rd place finish and Eric L. for his 1st place finish in the individual round. 4th Grade Team: Ronan L., Ryder F., David B., Nicholas D., and Anthony S. 5th Grade Team: Alex L., Eric L., Jack L., Dylan S., and Logan S.
Orange County Math Circle Thanksgiving Tournament
Laurence’s 4th and 5th Grade math clubs competed in this highly challenging tournament against schools from throughout Southern California. All of our Mathletes displayed excellent sportsmanship while working to solve many challenging problems in both individual and team rounds. Congratulations to Alex L. for his 3rd place finish in the individual round.
2016-17
Orange County Math Circle All-Girls Tournament
Our 4th, 5th and 6th Grade teams competed in highly challenging individual and team rounds against many tough competitors from all around Southern California. Our school participants included: Emma G., Kate G., Kate K., Katie K., and Sloane T. in 4th Grade; Hannah C., Chloe D., Zoe R., and Novin S. in 5th Grade; and Chloe A., Konnie D., Emma F., Georgia G., Grace H., and Sam P. in 6th Grade. A big congratulations to the members of our 4th Grade math club who took second place in the team round, and a special congrats to Konnie D. for her first place finish for 6th Grade in the individual round!
Culver City Math Olympiad
Two boys teams participated - for 4th Grade: Alex L., Eric L., Spencer B., Rowan C., and Jack L.; and for 5th Grade: Dashiell G., Evan K., Eric V., Arin B., and Jesse F. Both teams tied with three other schools in the tiebreaker round, landing our teams somewhere between 4th and 6th place out of almost 40 teams. Alex, Eric, and Dashiell all won bronze medals for their third place individual scores as well. We are so proud of all of our students who participated!
Orange County Math Circle Thanksgiving Tournament
Fourth through 6th Grade students in our Mathletes Club competed against 200 students from all over Southern California in both individual and team rounds, working to solve many very complicated math problems.
Congratulations to the following students who earned individual awards in their respective grades:
- Alex L. - 3rd place
- Chloe A. - 6th place
- Eric L. - 4th place
- Grace H. – 5th place
- Konnie D. – 1st place
Congratulations to the following teams who earned team awards in their respective grades:
- Alex L., Eric L., Jack L., Rowan C., and Spencer B. – 2nd place
- Chloe A., Brendan H.H., Grace H., Konnie D., Ryan J., and Zachary F. – 1st place
We are so proud of all of these students for their hard work and commitment! Way to Represent the "L"!
2015-16
Culver City Math Olympiad
Our 5th Grade team won second place and one of our 5th Grade students won first place in the individual round.
Linwood Howe Math Olympiad
Students competed against 4th and 5th Graders from throughout Los Angeles, winning second place in the team round, with Laurence students taking first and third places in the individual round.
Orange County Math Circle, Thanksgiving Tournament
Our 5th Grade Mathletes won first place in the team round, and Laurence students took first and second place in the individual round.
Orange County Math Circle, All Girls Tournament
5th Grade students took first and second place in the individual round.
2014-15
National Math Olympiad
One of our 4th Grade students achieved a perfect score and was a National Winner of this five month, five contest competition.
Culver City Math Olympiad
Our boys team won first place in the team round and one of our 4th Grade students won first place in the individual round.
Orange County Math Circle, Thanksgiving Tournament
Our Laurence Math Club participated in the 2014 Orange County Math Circle Thanksgiving Tournament, where 11 Laurence students worked diligently solving extremely challenging math problems — first individually and then in groups. Our students truly Represented the “L” with Konnie D. taking fourth place, Hayden S. taking third place, and Ethan S. earning first place in the fourth grade division.
Orange County Math Circle, All Girls Tournament
One of students won first place in the 4th grade competition.
WordMasters Challenge
2017-18
Laurence School is pleased to announce that the 4th Grade team placed 6th among 358 teams competing in the first WordMasters Challenge™. Laurence students Lila S. and Hudson S. each earned a perfect score of 20 on the challenge. Nationally, only 86 fourth graders (out of approximately 21,000 fourth graders) achieved this result. Other students from Laurence School who achieved outstanding results in the meet include David B., Joshua C., Yann H., and Anthony S. Congratulations to these students on a job well done!
2016-17
Laurence School 4th Graders achieved Highest Honors in the recent WordMasters Challenge, a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 150,000 students annually. The team scored an impressive 194 points out of a possible 200 in the second of three meets this year, placing second in the nation among 333 teams.
Competing in the Blue Division of the WordMasters Challenge, 4th Graders Alec A., Kate G., Maya K., and Noah P. each earned a perfect score of 20 on the challenge. Nationally, only 116 4th graders achieved this result. Other students from Laurence School who achieved outstanding results in the meet include 4th Graders Rowan C., Katie K., Addison K., Alex L., Eric L., Jake L., and Samantha L.
2015-16
Both our 4th and 5th Grade teams won high honors in the recent WordMasters Challenge.
Laurence’s 4th Grade team placed third in the nation out of 328 teams, scoring 191 out of a possible 200 points. The 5th Grade team placed a fantastic first in the nation out of 350 teams, scoring 194 out of a possible 200. What an amazing feat!
Fourth Graders Meghan D., Sabrina S., Aidan G., and Sammy S. earned perfect scores (20/20) in their meet, which was achieved by only 50 fourth graders out of approximately 19,000 participating! Fifth Graders Eliza B., Shayna, B., Baxter C., and Grace H. earned perfect scores (20/20) in their meet, which was achieved by only 52 fifth graders out of approximately 21,000 participating students.
2014-15
Several students and the fourth and fifth grade teams representing Laurence School recently won highest honors in the WordMasters Challenge. The WordMasters Challenge is a national language arts competition consisting of three separate meets held at intervals during the school year. The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking. The children are given a list of 25 challenging words to learn for each meet (considerably higher than grade level). Students learn the definitions of these words and then are challenged to use the words to complete analogies, enhancing their critical thinking skills by learning how to think both analytically and metaphorically.
The fourth grade tied for fourth place in the nation, among 352 school teams (20,000 children) competing at this grade level and in this division! Like the fourth grade, the fifth grade came in a terrific fourth. Laurence is the ONLY school from third grade through sixth grade to have two grade levels place in the top ten. This is an extraordinary achievement.
Four students won highest honors for individual achievement. Fourth graders Georgia G. and Baxter C. earned perfect scores (20/20) in their meet for their grade level while only 100 fourth graders out of 20,000 participating students achieved this result. In addition, Beck W. and Theo M. earned a perfect 20/20, two of the SIXTEEN students who earned a perfect score out of 21,000 participating. Clearly earning a perfect score is an amazing accomplishment.
All of the children in both the fourth and fifth grade worked diligently to learn the definitions of the words and to become adept at solving analogies, helping their teams to place in the top ten. Congratulations to these students who worked so hard to achieve this remarkable result. They are all, indeed, Word Masters!
2013-14
Laurence School has once again placed in the top ten of the fourth and fifth grade teams across the nation. Not only did they place, but fourth graders took FIRST place out of 411 teams! The fifth graders ranked a wonderful 4th place out of 417 teams. Needless to say, both teachers and students are ecstatic about the results! It should also be mentioned that Laurence School is the only school to place in both grade levels. Worthy of note is that three fourth graders and one fifth grader earned a perfect 20 out of 20. To put this amazing feat in perspective is that only 50 fourth graders earned a perfect score out of 16,500 students, and only 29 fifth graders earned a perfect score out of 17,000 students. This is quite remarkable! We applaud all students and teachers in fourth and fifth grade for putting such incredible effort into making the teams the best they could be.
2012-13
Both the fourth and fifth grades placed in the top ten in the third WordMasters Challenge of the 2012-2013 school year. Out of 18,000 participants and 486 teams, the fifth grade placed an outstanding second in the nation! Meanwhile, the fourth grade placed ninth among 473 teams.
No other school had two grade levels place in the top ten! Also impressive - a total of 20 combined fourth and fifth graders earned the fabulous score of 19/20, and only 246 other students nationally earned this same distinction.
We are also truly delighted to announce that Laurence School’s fifth grade class tied for second place in the nation in WordMasters' analogy meet #1 for 2012-2013. Our students competed against 373 other teams and 17,960 other like-aged children to win this very impressive honor.
Also impressive was our fourth grade's showing in the competition. They tied for eighth place in the nation among 300 school teams and 17,500 children competing at this level and division. Moreover, several students achieved perfect or near-perfect scores on the test. Congratulations to Riley S. and Courtney S., as well as to Olivia P., Avery G., Jack L., Kyle R., Riley B., Claire S., Adeline G., Tanisha G., and Emery G. Fifth graders, True B., Carli C., Ava S., Eric S., Sierra S., Zoey C., Nicole G., Tenley G., and Alexander S. also deserve a round of applause.
Athletics
2017-18
Basketball
- 4th Grade Boys Yellow Team - Division Champions
- 4th Grade Boys Blue Team - Division Champions with a 6-0 season record
- 6th Grade Boys Green Team - Division Champions
- 6th Grade Boys Blue Team - Made it to the season playoffs
- 6th Grade Girls Yellow Team - Made it to the semifinals
- 6th Grade Girls Blue Team - Made it to the semifinals
Football
- 6th Grade Yellow & Blue Teams - Placed 2nd in the division
Soccer
- 4th Grade Girls Yellow Team - Placed 2nd in division
- 6th Grade Girls Yellow Team- Placed 2nd in Division
- 6th Grade Girls Blue Team - Made it to the season playoffs
2016-17
Football: Our 6th Grade Yellow and Blue boys' football teams both won their league finals.
Basketball: Our 4th and 5th Grade Yellow girls' teams both won their league championship games after undefeated seasons.
Soccer: Our 4th Grade Yellow and 5th Grade Yellow Boys' teams had undefeated seasons.
Volleyball: The 4th Grade Yellow and 6th Grade Turquoise Girls' teams won their championship games after undefeated seasons.
2015-16
Football: Our 6th Grade Blue boys' team made the playoffs this year and won the annual Golden Bucket Championship for the second year in a row.
Basketball: Our 6th Grade Blue boys' team won their championship game, the 5th Grade Yellow girls' team won first in league, and our 4th and 6th Grade Yellow girls' teams took second place in their respective leagues.
Soccer: Our 6th Grade Yellow girls' team won their championship game.
Volleyball: Our 6th Grade Yellow girls' team made it to the playoffs.
2014-15
Football: The 6th Grade boys' team won the annual Golden Buck game, as well as made it to the league semi-finals.
Basketball: Our 6th Grade girls' team won their league championship game, while one of our 5th Grade girls' team one first in league and the other 5th Grade girls' team was co-league champs. Our 6th Grade boys also won their league championship game, and our 5th and 4th Grade boys' teams also won first in their respective leagues.
Soccer: One of our 4th Grade girls' soccer teams finished first in league.