This Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week, we are proud to share two incredible honors that reflect the passion, creativity, and dedication our educators bring to The Bush School every day.

Lower School music teacher Juliana Cantarelli Vita has been named a 2026 Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist by the GRAMMY Museum and Recording Academy, while Upper School English Teacher Molly Olguín has been selected as one of just five writers nationwide to receive the 2025 Jack Hazard Fellowship from the New Literary Project.

Both of these recognitions celebrate what we at Bush see every day—teachers who spark joy, challenge students to think deeply, and model what it means to pursue one’s passions with purpose. Read below about their accomplishments.

Last week featured two nights of incredible music productions! The Upper School Music Showcase on Tuesday, December 10 included performances from student ensembles and bands. Venue, a student run music showcase, included soloists, duets, additional band performances, and more! Photos from both performances are available now!

>>Click here to view photos

The Upper School spring sports teams are in the playoff stretch - and the stage is set for an exciting finish. After months of hard work and preparation, your Blazers are ready to deliver when it matters most. With championship dreams on the line, now is the time to show up and support! Do not miss your chance to catch the action as our athletes aim to bring home titles and make school history:

 

The boys soccer program saw a record turnout of 40 players this season, creating healthy competition for roster spots and forcing the coaching staff to make tough roster decisions. The large group of senior players returning to the program brought leadership and composure to both training and competition. The JV team completed an impressive campaign with an undefeated 7-0 record in conference play (7-2 overall). The Varsity team, a perennial contender in the Emerald Sound Conference, secured a 3rd-place finish in the regular season (6-2) and opened the playoffs with a commanding 6-0 victory over #6 seed South Whidbey. The semifinal matchup against Overlake is a familiar one - the two teams faced off at this stage last season, when the Blazers earned a 2-1 win en route to the conference title.

 

Entering the Emerald Sound Conference playoffs as the #2 seed, the Blazers delivered a spirited performance on Senior Night in a close matchup against Northwest. Despite holding a late lead, the team fell just short of securing an automatic berth to the State Tournament. Following the match, players and coaches came together to honor the senior class with thoughtful remarks and heartfelt celebrations. Hush now shifts its focus to the State Tournament play-in game, where a win will punch their ticket to the final bracket.

 

The girls tennis team made history this spring, claiming their first Emerald Sound Conference championship since 2007. Anchored by a talented senior class, the team secured key victories over consistent powerhouses Overlake and University Prep. The Blazers defeated the Pumas twice and split a hard-fought series with the Owls, with all four matches decided in the final points. As the postseason begins, several Blazers are positioned to advance to the State Tournament in Yakima. This has been the program’s most successful season in over 15 years - a testament to the team’s depth, leadership, and competitive spirit.

 

The girls golf team continues its strong season with a trip to the Emerald Sound Conference Championships on May 14. In the recent ESC Scramble, the Blazers finished 3rd overall, bolstered by a standout performance from Meredith C. ’26, who has earned medalist honors in two matches and tied in a third. Both Meredith and Charlie M. ’26 qualified for next week’s championship tournament. Eight members of the boys golf program also qualified to join the girls team at the championships. Top finishers will earn a spot at the State Championships at Liberty Lake Golf Course later this spring.

 

The track & field team enters the postseason with momentum following a regular season filled with record-breaking performances and personal bests. The final regular season meet will be held on Saturday, May 10, ahead of the Emerald Sound Conference Championships at King’s next week.

3200m – Duncan F.-S. ’25: 8:57.33

110m Hurdles – Xander T. ’26: 14.40

200m – Xander T. ’26: 21.96

400m – Xander T. ’26: 49.70

With multiple athletes positioned for podium finishes at the state level - including several who will compete at the collegiate level after graduating from Bush - the Blazers are primed for a standout postseason run.

 

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible coaches and athletic department staff. Your leadership, commitment, and tireless efforts make it possible for our student-athletes to have these memorable experiences.

A career fueled by a love of running and passion for making those around him better, Bush’s Duncan F.-S. '25 plans to do the same at the next level. On Friday afternoon, November 22, in front of family, friends, and Bush community members, Duncan signed to run cross country and track at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island next fall.