Our middle school students have already experienced their first full week of “freedom” after enjoying a “fun day” June 13 and final exams on the 16th and 17th. Our elementary school friends ended their year with the annual “Play Day” on the 23rd, awards ceremony on the 24th and the much-anticipated fifth-grade celebration on the 25th.
Congratulations to our newest middle school students-to-be!
Both the middle and high school music festivals (June 10 and 11) were very well-attended and exhibited the best of our students' creativity and talent. The high school Prism Concert truly went above and beyond this year, and people are still talking about it even weeks later. The first musical number, “Pilatus: Mountain of Dragons,” was performed by the wind ensemble under the direction of Rick English. This was quite possibly the best piece we have ever heard and seen, as well, by our band; the piece told an intricate story accompanied by an amazing light show that kept the audience riveted from beginning to end and was followed by a standing ovation.
The chorus beautifully performed “For Good” (from “Wicked”) and presented an energetic “Hey, Look Me Over,” directed by Laura Woodworth.
As if that weren't enough, the audience was treated to special student performances by senior Amber Vivenzio (“A Long December”), senior band ensemble (“When I'm 64” and the Mission Impossible theme - complete with the requisite shades), Molly Sears (“Caro Mio Ben”), Nicole Slauson (“Who Am I” - to accompany a dance piece performed by Lauryn Bates), Logan Thompson and Amy Sanchez (“Don't Go Breakin' My Heart”), senior Katie Schlegel (“Memory” - not the one from “Cats!”), Megan Wager (“Listen to Your Heart”), senior Jessica Putvin (“Here Comes the Sun” - accompanied on guitar by her father, Jim), seniors Casey Sears and Luke Baker (“Missing You”), an ensemble performing “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” and a Class of 2008 rendition of “We Go Together.”
We were also treated to a slideshow of our seniors, featuring both their baby and “grown up” photos, accompanied by the class singing “Within These Walls.” (All of this has led to my decision that my daughter will not be allowed to graduate in a couple of years; I don't think I'm emotionally ready!)
Our music and art departments are to be commended and congratulated on such fantastic presentations. We should be proud that so many of our students are involved in both sports and music, that our district places such emphasis on both and that all of our students are so enthusiastically supported by the community.
Along with the decision regarding my daughter's not being allowed to graduate came the first meeting of the After Prom Party Committee for the Class of 2010 held June 17. A small but enthusiastic group met to discuss fundraising strategies for the upcoming months, and they've got some great ideas.
The next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, in the high school board room.
Parents aren't required to attend meetings, but with enough help, the committee hopes to have the necessary fundraising completed before the end of 2008. Watch for upcoming school news notes and mailers for more details.
Be sure to watch for the Chamber of Commerce “Gazebo Gatherings” concerts, which will start in early July at, you guessed it, “the” gazebo between DB's Drive-In and Big M on North Seneca Street (in case of inclement weather, concerts are held at the Weedsport Library). The concerts are always a fun time for the whole family, so get out your lawn chairs, bring your ice cream money and head out on Tuesday nights!
Remember: “You know it's summer when they're rockin' in Weedsport.” Shameless plug: Catch Too Old 2 Rap July 15.
As this column goes to print, the Weedsport Class of 2008 will have already heard the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” and moved their tassels to the other side of their mortarboards Friday night.
We certainly wish them all the best as they begin the next phase of their lives. Congratulations!
Wendy Bates has lived in Weedsport all her life and loves to write about her community.
Both the middle and high school music festivals (June 10 and 11) were very well-attended and exhibited the best of our students' creativity and talent. The high school Prism Concert truly went above and beyond this year, and people are still talking about it even weeks later. The first musical number, “Pilatus: Mountain of Dragons,” was performed by the wind ensemble under the direction of Rick English. This was quite possibly the best piece we have ever heard and seen, as well, by our band; the piece told an intricate story accompanied by an amazing light show that kept the audience riveted from beginning to end and was followed by a standing ovation.
The chorus beautifully performed “For Good” (from “Wicked”) and presented an energetic “Hey, Look Me Over,” directed by Laura Woodworth.
As if that weren't enough, the audience was treated to special student performances by senior Amber Vivenzio (“A Long December”), senior band ensemble (“When I'm 64” and the Mission Impossible theme - complete with the requisite shades), Molly Sears (“Caro Mio Ben”), Nicole Slauson (“Who Am I” - to accompany a dance piece performed by Lauryn Bates), Logan Thompson and Amy Sanchez (“Don't Go Breakin' My Heart”), senior Katie Schlegel (“Memory” - not the one from “Cats!”), Megan Wager (“Listen to Your Heart”), senior Jessica Putvin (“Here Comes the Sun” - accompanied on guitar by her father, Jim), seniors Casey Sears and Luke Baker (“Missing You”), an ensemble performing “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” and a Class of 2008 rendition of “We Go Together.”
We were also treated to a slideshow of our seniors, featuring both their baby and “grown up” photos, accompanied by the class singing “Within These Walls.” (All of this has led to my decision that my daughter will not be allowed to graduate in a couple of years; I don't think I'm emotionally ready!)
Our music and art departments are to be commended and congratulated on such fantastic presentations. We should be proud that so many of our students are involved in both sports and music, that our district places such emphasis on both and that all of our students are so enthusiastically supported by the community.
Along with the decision regarding my daughter's not being allowed to graduate came the first meeting of the After Prom Party Committee for the Class of 2010 held June 17. A small but enthusiastic group met to discuss fundraising strategies for the upcoming months, and they've got some great ideas.
The next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, in the high school board room.
Parents aren't required to attend meetings, but with enough help, the committee hopes to have the necessary fundraising completed before the end of 2008. Watch for upcoming school news notes and mailers for more details.
Be sure to watch for the Chamber of Commerce “Gazebo Gatherings” concerts, which will start in early July at, you guessed it, “the” gazebo between DB's Drive-In and Big M on North Seneca Street (in case of inclement weather, concerts are held at the Weedsport Library). The concerts are always a fun time for the whole family, so get out your lawn chairs, bring your ice cream money and head out on Tuesday nights!
Remember: “You know it's summer when they're rockin' in Weedsport.” Shameless plug: Catch Too Old 2 Rap July 15.
As this column goes to print, the Weedsport Class of 2008 will have already heard the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” and moved their tassels to the other side of their mortarboards Friday night.
We certainly wish them all the best as they begin the next phase of their lives. Congratulations!
Wendy Bates has lived in Weedsport all her life and loves to write about her community.
