It Must Be May
It Must Be May
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
This is almost more enjoyment than one person should have. I love this time of the school year. With May begins Speech contests, Orientations, Talent Shows, and Banquets only to be followed shortly behind with Senior Scholarship Awards and High School Graduations.
Last week began the May madness, but let me be clear it is a good kind of madness.
Tropicana Speech Contest
This is one of my favorite events that I can be a small part of. On Tuesday, School Board Member Ginger Bryant, Chief Deputy Clerk of Citrus County Courts, Angela Vick, and I were the judges for the Citrus Springs Elementary School’s Tropicana Speech Contestants. I am always so impressed with every student who gives their speech. I always learn so much about a specific subject that each of the students speak on, or I laugh so hard from the comical delivery of some of the students. CSE’s 1st place winner was Alden Westfall who’s speech was titled, “Mom for Sale!”, 2nd place was Peyton Burdette with a speech titled, “Operation Pre-K” and 3rd place was Peyton Vilardi for his speech entitled “My Cruisin’ Vacation”.
On Thursday I had the opportunity of being a judge at Central Ridge Elementary School’s contest with Citrus County Commissioner Joe Meek, and College of Central Florida Professor, Connie Tice. Again, it is difficult to fully explain how impressive these young people’s speeches really are. At CRE the 1st place winner was Truman Roland with the speech, “The Cloning Machine”. The 2nd place winner was Andrew Esser speaking about, “Sharks” and the 3rd place winner was Ronnie Romanelli talking about “Ban the Bands”.
Middle School Orientations
I was with the Crystal River Middle School 5th grade orientation on Tuesday. It was great fun, and even more so, educational for me to see the orientation and programs being offered at CRMS. I very much enjoyed the orientation video your students prepared and thought what a great commercial it would be for CRMS. My favorite part of the video was Mr. Dan Epstein’s segment promoting CRMS’s Track & Field program. Hearing and seeing the 5th grade students get excited about school because of his promotion of Track & Field was wonderful to see and hear! Even more, it was reinforced when a student raised their hand and asked Ms. Claudia McCoy, “Does Mr. Epstein teach too, I want to have him as my teacher”.
My remaining time at CRMS was filled over and over with seeing the positive, and academically rich, programs at CRMS. It made me wish I was headed back to middle school again. Thank you for all you do for our students, staff and district leaders each day, and continue the great work you are doing at CRMS!
Bearcat Night of Talent
Friday evening I headed back to Crystal River Middle School to help judge their annual “Bearcat Night of Talent”. This is similar to an “America’s Got Talent” type of talent show and AGT has nothing on these young people. The show began with CRMS teacher Suzie Holstead Martin opening the show by leading a rendition which included all the performers that were planned for the evening being a part of this opening number. The opening musical number was performed by the “student studio band” that was nothing less than amazing. Following that, there were 15 acts performed for the audience and the judges. Crystal River Councilman Mike Gudis, Mr. Troy Strawber and I judged the performances. Each was impressive and after the scores were counted and added, Sherry Dourms’ lyrical dance performance of “A Thousand Years” won 1st place. 2nd place was won by Tiffany Kulas with her acrobatic cane performance of “Endangered Species” and 3rd place was won by Lauren Wade for singing “Mean”.
International Baccalaureate Senior Banquet
It was evening dress, suits, and tuxes, at the first ever Senior IB Banquet for the Citrus County International Baccalaureate graduating class. The banquet took place at the Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club and was sponsored by the Citrus County IB Parent Organization. The event was an exciting evening to reflect on all the work and accomplishments of not only the seniors graduating, but also the IB program itself. IB Coordinator, Darrick Buettner, was master of ceremonies for the event and did a tremendous job praising all the individuals and groups that have work together to make IB a success. If you, or a student you know, is interested in the Citrus IB program at LHS, please visit their web page at: http://sites.google.com/site/pibsandibatlecantohighschool/Home
Comments Off on It Must Be May
Filed under: News & Updates