NHS Daily News Blog

Students Attend World Music and Dance Assembly for Diversity Week

2010-05-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, I had the opportunity to attend Northampton High School’s “World Music and Dance” assembly, which is part of Diversity Week. As I entered the auditorium, I noticed a high level of energy and excitement; there had to be at least 700 students in attendance, all eager to see the performances. SOCA, the Students of Color Association, sponsored Diversity Week, and they teamed up with the Environmental Club to celebrate Earth Day and the theme of UNITY in one sustainable world. STAND, the student-led division of the Genocide Intervention Network, also played a large role in the success of the assembly.

The emcee of the assembly, Mr. Harp, expressed how amazing it was to be able to recognize, honor, and cherish what the student body has to offer. He introduced the theme of the assembly (“What do you stand for (or up against)?”) and then a member of STAND spoke briefly about the issue of genocide in Darfur and the discussions that will be taking place in the upcoming weeks about how to stand up against injustice in the world. There were a total of twelve excellent performances during the assembly. Many groups were involved in the assembly performances, including the NHS Chorus, members of the NHS faculty and staff, the NHS Rap Artists, the Spectrum in Motion Dancers, the JFK Dancers, the SOCA steppers, and more.

The three pairs of students in the first performance were introduced as ELL students (English Language Learners), and they performed a Merengue dance. Merengue is a style of Latin American music and dance with a two-step beat. The students in each pair had beautiful, matching outfits and seemed very confident in their dancing abilities. The music blared through the auditorium, and the audience was very engaged.

The second performance included students who were involved with SOCA and FLC (Florence Learning Center), i.e. Northampton High’s alternative education program. This was my favorite performance during the assembly, as I am very interested in the power of Spoken Word poetry. Spoken Word poetry is a general category of poetry that is meant to be both performed and to make a powerful statement. There was a huge projection screen with a well-made PowerPoint with the overall title: “These are the voices of those who feel they have no voices.” The students took turns reading excerpts from a poem they had each written. Many challenged stereotypes and categories of race, and expressed their hopes for a better community and society. Other students spoke about the issue of teachers and others having low expectations of students of color as well as the issues of silenced voices, racism, and racial profiling. Some striking lines from poems their poems read:

“It’s time to rearrange the broken puzzle of this country”

“This poem is dedicated to victims of hate crimes and bullying”

“I stand for equal rights; I don’t want to be judged by my heritage”

“I just want to be seen, heard, and respected at all times”

The third performance was a freshman singing “Ave Maria” by Beyonce. She did a wonderful job!

The fourth performance was a short claymation video created by four students. It was an antismoking public service announcement video that had been selected as one of the Top Finalists from nearly 100 excellent entries in the fourth annual Getting Real on Reel Film-Shorts Contest. As finalists, they were invited to WCVB’s Television Studio in Needham, MA on May 8th for the 2010 Awards Festival. The short video lasted only about 10 seconds, but it was excellent and definitely got the message against smoking across.

The fifth performance included two middle school students from JFK Middle School singing a song called “Rockstar.” It was very brave of them to get on stage in front of the high schoolers, but they pulled through and did a great job!

Next, NHS teachers performed a traditional Greek dance, typically seen at Greek weddings. It was a high-energy performance, and the teachers seemed to have a great time on stage. The students thought it was funny, but they clapped much after the performance finished.

Above: The NHS teachers performing the Greek wedding dance.

The seventh performance included Ms. Bernard’s freshman writing class, who spoke about the idea of the achievement gap. About 15 students stood on stage and took turns asking questions such as, “What is the achievement gap?” and “Who does well in school and why?” Each student wrote and read their reflections on how the achievement gap plays out in both NHS and society in general.

The eighth performance featured a young woman, who decided to sing “How do I live?” by Trisha Yearwood. The student dedicated the song to her mother and ended up singing her heart out to the appreciative audience.

The ninth performance was another one of my favorites. The Alpha Squad from Jackson St. and JFK schools starred in this segment. A modern dance group, they performed a high-energy, fun choreographed dance to a mix-up of 3 different songs. They definitely had their moves down!

Above: The Alpha squad performing modern dance choreography.

The tenth performance showcased a salsa dance, where several partners (some of whom already performed in the Merengue dance) took to the stage. They did a wonderful job, and the audience clapped along to the beat of the song. It was a lot of fun!

Above: Students performing the Salsa dance.

The next performance included two students, a boy and girl, singing “Colors of the Wind” as a Music teacher played the song on the piano. They sung it beautifully, and they seemed to have great chemistry on stage together.

Above: Students singing “Colors of the Wind” with teacher playing the piano in the background.

The final performance was fantastic! The emcee introduced it: “The last performance for the assembly has taken a lot of preparation for your enjoyment. But it is “Thriller” by Michael Jackson!” The lights turned off, a smoke machine started to pump smoke into the audience, and the music blared through the speakers. Six students, dressed appropriately as zombies, performed a choreographed dance routine. Everyone in the audience got up and gave a standing ovation at the end. It was definitely a great way to conclude the assembly, as it kept the energy sustained until the very end of it.

I asked the two high schoolers sitting next to me, both freshmen, if they enjoyed the performance, and they told me: “It was fun and I am happy I got to miss class for it!” I assume that the other students in the auditorium enjoyed it as well, since everyone was talking about it as they were exiting the auditorium and the school building!

By Vanessa Shea

An Inspirational Coach

2010-04-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Coaching the Northampton High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse team is more than just a job for Bill Metzger. As a former NHS student, Coach Metzger made a pact with his friends to come back to school one day and give back to his team. After graduating and playing in college, he is doing just that – showing NHS and the Northampton community just how important lacrosse can be.

“They’re my guys,” Coach Metzger says, “I have expectations.” These expectations are changing everything for the team, who is set up to have a spectacular season. They are currently 6 and 3, after having played several great games. They even beat their rivals in Minnechaug, something which they have not done in 13 years.

Senior Captains Chris Wagner and Charlie Cronin are integral players on the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team, for they play a key role in leading their teammates to victory. As neighbors, Chris and Charlie have been playing lacrosse since fifth grade, and have learned the “ins and outs” of the nearby teams in order to prepare for this season. “We love the coach,” remarks Chris. “He’s helped us out since we were young.” The different generations and dimensions contribute to the sense of teamwork, pride, and accomplishments that resonate as the team practices together.

Lacrosse is so important that many players want to come back to help coach one day. Coach Metzger has a strict rule, however – they have to graduate from college first. As the team told me, “We want to be like Coach.”

By Suzanne Oppenheimer

Strike a Pose: Diversity Week Fashion Show

2010-04-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

Diversity Week drew to a close with a fabulous fashion show held in the auditorium during 2^nd period on April 16, 2010. Students modeled cultural dress and fashions from around the world, and they closed the show with a sample of this year's formal prom wear. Many NHS students volunteered to participate in the show, and some JFK students also had the opportunity to model. NHS worked closely with the JFK school's SOCA club throughout the entirety of Diversity Week.

The energy was high as the models walked out onto the stage and down a short runway, which extended out toward the audience. Students screamed out and applauded their peers throughout the show, especially enjoying the hilarious antics of several of the models. Early in the show, one male student took off his shirt at the end of the stage, and both girls and boys responded with laughter and cat calls. The female models struck their best poses on the runway, complete with pursed lips, exaggerated hips, and sassy hair tosses. The event was in very good humor, and everyone seemed to have a blast.

The students modeled beautiful, colorful clothing from all around the world while cultural music played in the background and images of people in other countries served as the backdrop. The styles of dress modeled by the students derived from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Africa, India, Turkey, Japan, Cambodia, Scotland, and many other countries.

Ms. Gardner took the stage in between the cultural wear and formal prom wear segments to thank Northampton High's SOCA senior members, who are graduating this year. She also thanked the supportive parents and local businesses who helped to make Diversity Week a success. She additionally expressed her gratitude to the Men's Warehouse for their involvement in the fashion show; they provided all of the suits and tuxes modeled by the students.

The transition from the cultural clothing to prom wear marked a significant transition in the show. Student models in the latter part were elegant and charming in their formal attire, and the audience was equally receptive to this portion of the show.

At the end of the fashion show, NHS students headed back to their classes while the models gathered to congratulate one another on the success of the event. One model, Josean, said the event was fun, and he enjoyed being in it. The audience were also reacted positively to the show. Kelsey Simpson, an NHS student, said “the fashion show was cool. All of Diversity Week was a lot of fun." All who were involved with the Diversity Week events can now sit back, relax, and bask in the glow of their hard work and subsequent success.

By Darleen Hostetler

The Culture Night Dinner and Dance

2010-04-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

Northampton High School hosted its 7^th annual Culture Night Dinner and Dance on April 14, 2010. The evening featured an eclectic spread of cultural dishes for dinner, followed by a dance with music provided by DJ Mike. Students of the high school as well as community members were both invited to attend this night of celebration. The high school worked with John F. Kennedy Middle School's Students of Color Association/Alliance (SOCA) to plan the festivities.

A line of people formed outside the cafeteria door at 6:00 pm, where NHS students sold tickets and excitedly welcomed friends, family, and staff members from several Northampton schools. The NHS Council also sold T-shirts, which featured student artwork, to raise funds here. Although school T-shirts are often reserved for student-athletes in American high schools, NHS makes the school T-shirt inclusive and available to all. In fact, T-shirt sales will continue in the office and at other school events, providing a chance for all students and community members to purchase one and show their school spirit.

Above: The cafeteria prior to the Culture Night Dinner and Dance.

Above: Cakes decorated as flags from around the world.

The atmosphere of the event made all attendees feel welcome. The school cafeteria was transformed, with its windows draped with the flags of various countries and its tables tastefully set up for groups to converse around them. Guests enjoyed a variety of delicious foods donated by local businesses, including La Veracruzana, India House, India Palace, Golden Krust Jamaican Restaurant, Great Wall, Big Y, and Stop & Shop.

Above: Guests waiting for their cultural meal in the food line.

People had their fill at the dinner. They were able to choose from from dishes like tandoori chicken, basmati and Spanish rices, lo mein, samosas, salads, guacamole, salsa, and cakes decorated as the flags of Puerto Rico, Pakistan, and Jamaica. Beyond the traditional soft drinks and water, the diners could also indulge in either mango lassi and champola de guanabana. The dinner boasted a significant and diverse attendance, and one student predicted the dance to be even more crowded. “We expect the dance to be good, it's always fun!”

Above: A nice sampling of cultural food.

Above: Students enjoying the food and company.

Ms. Garner, the Diversity Week Co-Advisor and a Northampton teacher, expressed her gratitude toward the students involved and the support of the community during the event. She stressed the importance of Diversity Week, stating that events like this one help "students to feel comfortable with who they are and provide a more welcoming and safe place within the school." She also said that the Diversity Week events promoted the acceptance of different dress, food, and dance of different cultures.

Above: NHS students Mehwish, Rahma, and Smera, respectively, who volunteered to do Henna designs for the guests.

While it was just one of many Diversity Week events, the Culture Night Dinner and Dance was a definite success, and it provides yet another example of the positive experiences in which students at Northampton High School share.

By Darleen Hostetler

Getting to Know Kathy Goodwin-Boyd

2010-04-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Who is Kathy Goodwin-Boyd? Besides being a woman with a very long last name, Kathy is a beloved and valued part of Northampton High School. Her official title is Adjustment Counselor; however, this title barely does justice to the work she does with Northampton’s teens.

Kathy is a clinical social worker who is available to help any student with any problem, including school difficulties, peer concerns, alcohol/drug-related issues, relationship problems, and other personal issues which students deal with.

Kathy received her bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College and went on to obtain her master’s degree in social work at Columbia University. She began her job at Northampton High school 18 years ago. Needless to say, she has become an integral part of the Northampton community. She sees herself as an advocate for each student who walks into her office. She comments, “I am here to listen to any problem and to work any difficulty out with the students who come see me.” She also encourages each student to utilize his or her guidance counselor, teachers, and parents, as well as herself. “I want the kids to know they have multiple people looking out for them and multiple people who care about their well being.” Adults refer about half of the students she sees, while the other half come to her on their own.

It is vital for high school students to have an adult in their lives whose door is always open for them to walk in and talk about their various challenges because, let’s face it, the teen years can be overwhelming and full of difficulties. With her welcoming smile and great sense of humor, Kathy makes her students feel at ease when they enter her office. She makes it known that she holds her students in high esteem and has every confidence that, after some guidance, they are fully capable of finding the answers they seek. Kathy emphasizes this by “prepping kids for the future.” She says, “I want the students to leave my office knowing they have the ability to solve any problem, even without my help.”

Kathy never has a dull moment; in fact, she saw over 180 teens during the previous year! Because there are so many kids who are eager to talk with her, a line usually forms outside of her door starting as early as 7:30 am. Clearly, Kathy Goodwin-Boyd is doing something right.

By Marie Wallace

The White Ribbon Campaign

2010-04-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, the students in the NHS Community Service Learning course held a highly successful event at the high school to inform the students about the White Ribbon Campaign, a project “involving awareness, support, and prevention of domestic abuse.” NHS teachers Jason Scavotto and Randy Gordon originally collaborated and designed this class as part of the school’s FLC program. Students in the Community Service Learning class are given the opportunity to play a large role in determining the coursework for the class. The two teachers work together with students to determine different unit topics and create a syllabus for the semester. In order to apply their studies beyond the classroom, the students design different culminating community service projects for each of their units. The class’ most recent unit is on Public Safety, and students chose to develop the White Ribbon Campaign as the culminating project.

After the project was decided on, the teachers were able to connect with the education coordinator at Safe Passage and bring in two speakers on domestic violence. The students were very moved by the subject and found it to be a very important cause, which they felt motivated to help through their course. So, the students and teachers went to work designing a creative and dynamic campaign to raise awareness about domestic abuse. The students conducted research, met with Safe Passage, made a video of facts on the subject, and designed posters with information from their research. Students also volunteered in between classes, during lunch, and before and after school to help run the pledge campaign event. “The students hoped to influence people in a positive way and take a step toward ending violence against women,” says Jason Scavotto. They hoped to do this by spreading awareness of the issue and the services available to the school and community.

On the day of the campaign event, the students from the class passed out little white ribbons for students to wear and thus show their support for the campaign. They also worked a variety of tables, one of which featured giant white ribbons where students could sign a pledge to stand up against domestic abuse and try to help the cause. Other tables contained information about domestic abuse and resources from Safe Passage and other organizations that the students researched. The guidance staff also attended the event to support the campaign and offer further information and resources to students. The event was a massive success and the students obtained five hundred signatures on their pledge! Other students seemed highly interested and supportive toward the cause, and the campaign organizers were clearly thrilled at the success of the event. I extend my congratulations to the FLC students and teachers who were successful in raising awareness in their community and whose hard work demonstrate their dedication to public service for this important cause.

If you would like additional materials related to domestic abuse education, you can go to www.chooserespect.org or www.janedoe.org, where you can download videos and curriculum materials.

By Christabel Breen

Students Attend High-Energy Assembly on Climate Change

2010-04-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

Students flooded the halls with their bodies and noise as they made their way to the auditorium on the afternoon of April 1, 2010 for an assembly on climate change. Teachers were invited to allow their last period classes to attend this assembly put on by ACE (Alliance for Climate Education). The sixth grade classes from the Smith College Campus School were also invited and in attendance. Tom Weiner, one of the sixth grade teachers, helped to initiate the presentation by connecting ACE with NHS.

Members of the NHS Environmental Club began the assembly by announcing upcoming events sponsored by the club. They also invited students to attend a question and answer session immediately following the assembly. Finally, they introduced Julian Rodriguez-Drix from ACE and the high-energy assembly (on conserving energy!) commenced.

Julian ran the presentation with style and flare. His interactive multimedia presentation and lecture was upbeat, captivating, and engaging, making it a truly entertaining and fun experience for the youth who were in attendance. He left scare tactics, which are often used in climate change education, at the door and, instead, gave students serious facts that they could relate to their everyday lives. He dealt with issues of climate change in a positive and non-judgmental way by raising students' awareness of the problem at hand and the methods by which they are actively polluting and contributing to global warming. The presentation explained how climate change has been caused and continued by social influence and our culture of consumption. Students learned how their seemingly minimal consumption is connected to huge companies, large usage of fossil fuels, and incredible amounts of waste. Julian clearly summarized his message in his statement, “We're all wrapped up in [an] economic cycle that just leads to garbage.” He also discussed “super-sized” American living, excessive use of non-renewable resources, and the results of pollution in an urgent, but humorous, manner.

Julian told students that they were not to blame for the current state of our environment, but that they had to be responsible for changing it. He encouraged students to use their imaginations to combat climate change. “If the ideas aren't out there yet, they're somewhere inside you now, in your hearts, in your heads.” He then played an inspirational video, which depicted the students celebrating the hypothetical environmental changes they had made at their high school reunion forty years later. This video not only suggested a possible plan of action for the adolescent generation to take, but it also provided a positive feeling that this is a problem that they can, and must, take on. Afterward, Julian roused the audience and urged them to take a stand. He ended the assembly by encouraging students to text ACE to make their own commitment to change, creating both an energetic frenzy to pull out cell phones and an overwhelming explosion of chatter in response to his presentation.

Both high schoolers and sixth graders exited the auditorium full of hope and anticipation to act against climate change. Many high school students attended the question and answer session with Julian Rodriguez-Drix and the Environmental Club, while others provided their email addresses to be contacted with additional information about ACE. The Smith College Campus School sixth graders rushed back to their own classrooms to discuss and write about their responses to the assembly.

With Earth Day around the corner, the NHS Environmental Club has many events coming up in the future. During the week of April 26, 2010, there will be a showing of the film Food Inc, a sampling of locally grown foods, various Earth Day art displays, and a composting option during lunch periods. The week of May 17,2010 is Bike Week, during which NHS students are encouraged to ride their bikes to school. Competitions will be held and those who participate will receive tasty treats from the Environmental Club.

For more information on ACE, check out their website: www.acespace.org. Schools or other institutions interested in scheduling their own assembly can do so through the group's website.

By Darleen Hostetler

A Successful Season for the Indoor Track and Field Athletes

2010-04-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

Northampton’s indoor track and field teams are a perfect example of the determination, hard work, and success that Northampton High School is known for. The two teams are more like one big group of athletes than two separate teams; the majority of their time is spent together. They share coaches, go to the same meets, and practice together. With 62 boys and 77 girls, it is a quite a significant group of student-athletes. The indoor track and field season ran from mid-December to the end of February, with some post-season meets running into March. Practices were held Monday through Thursday at the Smith College Indoor Track Facility, and meets were also held in the same location on Fridays. Both teams dominated the competition this season as undefeated champs, and both the girls’ and boys’ teams took 1^st place at the Western Mass Championships on February 12, 2010.

The boys were Western Mass and Pioneer Division Champions this season, with a 9-0 record. They defeated Amherst, Chicopee, Westfield, Holyoke, Minnechaug, Longmeadow, West Springfield, Agawam, and Chicopee Comp with a total point margin of 593.5 to 262.5. Four school records were broken this season, including D.J. Fuentes’ 6.64 second 55 meter dash, Michael Mailloux’s 1:24:65 600 meter and 2:05:91 800 meter, and Alexander Sullivan’s 2:38:33 1000 meter. The team took 12^th place in the MIAA Division III Meet, and Darius Fuentes, Michael Mailloux, Alexander Sullivan, and Ian Lutz were eligible to attend the MIAA All-State Meet for their incredible performances.

The girls team was also Western Mass and Pioneer Division Champions with the same record as their male counterparts, 9-0. The girls point spread, at 633 points to their opponent’s 222, was wider than the boys team. School records were set by Natalia Paine in the 800 meter with 2:21:04, Julia Sullivan with a 5:15:87 mile, Charlotte Lellman with a 11:35:87 two mile, Molly Brooks with a 35’2” Shot Put, as well as two relay records in the 4x400 meter (4:00.12) and 4x800 meter (9:56:44). The girls team placed 4^th in the MIAA Division III Meet and took 10^th place in the MIAA All-State Meet. Natalia Paine, Julia Sullivan, Charlotte Lellman, Molly Brooks, and the 4x400 meter relay team represented the girls team at the MIAA All-State Meet. They made it all the way to the New England Championships, with Natalia Paine placing 4^th in the 600 meter, and Phoebe Hopkins, Emma Larson, Mia Toffoli, and Natalia Paine earning 3^rd place for the 4x400 meter relay team.

I had the privilege of meeting with some of the teams' captains to talk about the success of the season. Samantha Zimmerman, Molly Brooks, Steven Mailloux, and Michael Mailloux, all seniors, shared their experiences and thoughts on the winter indoor track and field teams. When asked what made the teams so successful, the group explained that having a large number of members is a great asset to their winning teams. Unlike other teams, they do not rely on a few star athletes. Instead, they utilize the skills of all members and work as a cohesive group to earn points across many events. Mike explained, “You need a lot of people to create a strong core for the team. Without a strong core, you're not going to do well at Western Mass.”

The teams seem to have decent support from their school, with many family members and some teachers coming to meets to cheer the kids on. NHS always seems to have a big group supporting them, mostly because 1/8 of the school is involved with the sport! With so many teammates, it is somewhat surprising that they do not have more students or community members attending meets, but these captains explained there isn't a large amount of spirit for the track team in the school. However, they were pleased to have the superintendent, Isabelina Rodriguez, attend a meet this season.

When asked about the future, the group shared a feeling of disappointment knowing this spring would be their last season with the NHS track teams. Samantha appreciates the bonds she has made with so many people in her 4-year career in track, and knows it will be bittersweet to leave it when she graduates. However, the group is proud of the teams' accomplishments this winter and excited to be going on to college after one more season at NHS. Steve especially is ready to compete at a higher level in college, and he anticipates receiving more individualized attention to build on his track skills.

Wrapping up our conversation, I asked the group what they would like the community to know about their experience in track and field. Unanimously, these captains agreed that they hope the community would recognize how valuable athletics are to students and the school experience. They shared their concerns for funding, their outrage over attempts to secretly cut funds, and their plans to keep the teams at NHS financially prosperous through fundraising. I certainly agree that athletics are an integral outlet that must be available to all students, and hope that the community will continue to support these teams wholeheartedly.

Want to know more about the indoor track and field teams? Check out their websites to see full rosters, meet results, and upcoming information for the spring season. Be sure to support the spring track and field teams, and best of luck to all of the team members!

Websites:

Boys Team -

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=northamptonboysxctf

Girls Team -

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?sid=644543546&url=northamptongirlsxctf

By Darleen Hostetler

Fetal Pig Dissections in the Anatomy and Physiology Classes

2010-03-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Donna Canuel-Browne's Anatomy and Physiology classes had the unique experience of dissecting fetal pigs this past week. On Thursday and Friday, March 11^th and 12th, her 1^st and 2^nd blocks conducted the dissections in order to explore the digestive system. Students worked in groups ranging from 2 to 4 people, with an average of 24 students per class. Surprisingly, everyone seemed at ease in the beginning of class and no one complained about the upcoming task. Paul, an aide in Ms. Browne's 1^st block, informed me that many students had performed dissections during the first section of Anatomy and Physiology. He stated, "At this point, they know the procedures and how to use the tools, and the gross-out factor seems limited.” Most students had looked at the muscular system of dissected pigs in the first section of Anatomy.

Above: Zoe Clark and Karissa Rigali with their pig.

Students jumped into their work without hesitation and quietly talked their way through the dissection instructions. Ms. Browne checked in on the groups as they worked, and was often called over for assistance. Some students requested her help in “opening” the pig, while others utilized her expertise to locate or identify specific anatomic parts.

Above: Ms. Browne assists students with dissection.

Although the students worked hard and focused their attention on the lab, they also had a lot of fun during the class period. Many students cracked jokes and sarcastically expressed their excitement for the dissection. At one point, a group of girls loudly yelled, “EEWWW!” and laughed. Ms. Browne also laughed and explained to the whole class that she had a piece of a pig in her hair. Humor certainly made it easier for the class to stomach some of the more gross aspects of the dissection, and overall the students were eager to learn from the experience.

Above: Savy Khuth got a little grossed out while Ms. Browne helped her with the pig.

Zach Golab told me that he enjoyed the task and thought it was cool to be checking out the organs and systems that they learned about in class. Students had the chance to opt out of the dissection and complete an alternate computer lab for credit, but Zach felt that option “would have been boring.”

Above: Josh Murphy, Zach Golab, Steve Mailloux, and Jeremy Petrowicz diligently working on the dissection.

Other dissections will be performed in the upcoming weeks, including one of a sheep's heart. Despite some cringing and disgust, most students really enjoyed the pig dissection. This hands-on experience is invaluable to the students at NHS and will enhance their knowledge beyond what they read in books.

By Darleen Hostetler

See "Bye Bye Birdie" Before it is Bye Bye Gone!

2010-03-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

Northampton High School was buzzing with excitement on Thursday's opening night of Bye Bye Birdie. This is definitely a must-see show, so be sure to clear your calendar and head over to NHS this weekend! The cast will be performing once again this Friday and Saturday evening at 7 pm, along with a matinee show at 2 pm on Saturday. With song, dance, and lots of humor, this performance promises to be something the whole family will enjoy.

Above: Bye Bye Birdie Playbill and Ticket

I had the chance to meet with the cast prior to showtime, and their energy was contagious. Guys and girls were running around in preparation for the play, laughing, practicing songs, and applying makeup like Sephora was going out of business. These students have been working hard on putting together this play since December, and they were very excited to finally present their version of Bye Bye Birdie.

Above: NHS students preparing for Bye Bye Birdie.

Before the show, I talked to cast members about preparing for Bye Bye Birdie. They spoke about how much they enjoyed the experience of producing a play and how being able to hang out and have fun together often provided a foundation for many friendships to blossom and grow. Rob Schmidt, '10, and Carlie Lyster, '10, were extremely thankful to the entire cast and especially to the production team for all of their help and guidance. They assured me that the show would be phenomenal, and urged the Northampton Community to come out and see this high-spirited show during its limited engagement.

Above: Seniors Carlie Lyster and Rob Schmidt

These students did not disappoint! The cast rocked the NHS Auditorium and pumped up the audience with their exuberance and energy. Rob Schmidt (Albert Peterson) and Carlie Lyster (Rose Alvarez) shined throughout the play, and Rebecca Flinker, '11, positively embodied her character of Kim Macafee with her sweet innocence and domination of high notes. Conrad Birdie, played by Yoshi Fields, '10, made all of the girls (and boys!) swoon with every pelvic thrust, proving that he was worthy of the teen chorus' adoration. Wonderful and hilarious performances were given by Tom Hirsch, '10 (Mr. Harry Macafee), and Nora Kaye, '12 (Ursula Merkle). These two are reason enough to see this play! Ana Baustin, '13, also provided many laughs as Mae Peterson, the mother of Albert. The entire cast blew me away with their tremendous acting, great singing and harmonies, and entertaining dances. I especially congratulate Fabienne Andrews, '11, who choreographed “The Telephone Hour." This scene stood out because of its visually entertaining and impressive choreography and its ability to still flow well with the choreography of the rest of the play.

Above: The cast accepting applause from a grateful audience.

The audience swarmed together after the play in the halls of NHS, alive with discussion about the great performance and applause for the students as they made their way off stage. The cast knocked the socks off of one young boy in the crowd. (Quite literally, his socks and shoes were nowhere to be seen!) Parents, friends, and community members were impressed by the show, and many seemed to be particularly proud of 10-year-old Luke Haas, who played the part of Randolph Macafee. Luke has acted in other productions, but this was his first musical and he was especially pleased to have been a part of this high school play.

Personally, I feel that all of the students should be pleased with this production, and especially proud of their hard work. Support this wonderful cast and be sure to see Bye Bye Birdie before it is bye bye gone!

By Darleen Hostetler

Creativity in the Ceramics Classroom

2010-03-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

Ms. Jaffe’s ceramics class isn’t like every other class at Northampton High. When the students come together to talk about their work, they aren’t stressing about upcoming tests or graded essays – they are sharing cupcakes and brownies. “This class is a community,” Ms. Jaffe says. “The students help each other out.”

This is the perfect example of a class that is more than just letters and scores. The class, made up largely of upperclassmen handling a heavy workload, uses clay as a means of self-expression. Projects allow students to reflect inwardly as well as explore their exterior world. “We use clay as a window to understand the cultures of the world,” explains Ms. Jaffe.

This semester, Ms. Jaffe and her class will be “studying Native American ceramics, the Silk Road and the Tang Dynasty, Japanese tea utensils, and understanding the balance between sculpture and functional ceramics.” Such a multi-dimensional learning experience helps the students learn the relationship between themselves and the earth. “There is a connection between working with clay and working with nature, a kind of spiritual interaction,” senior Kathleen informs me. Across from her rests a periodic table, a means for the teenagers to understand the connections between both their studies and the world.

Ceramics is a breath of fresh air from the pressures of high school life. Another senior, Anna, laments the demands of her busy schedule, involving AP Biology, AP Physics, and a Smith College course. She values this class as a “relaxing creative outlet.” As a student who primarily takes classes in the sciences, she adds, “Ceramics is an escape. It lets me use a different part of my brain.”

Kathleen, interested in English and literature, relishes the chance to work with clay in the midst of her studies. “I’m sometimes amazed by museums on field trips,” she says. “One piece can say as much as an entire book can. There are huge ideas contained in something so small and accessible.”

The work they produce is more than just an escape. Pinch pots and ceramic experiments sprinkle the room, jumbled with a diverse array of pieces from past semesters. The students are proud of what they’ve made. Kathleen tells me about her favorite project so far: a mug. “It looks like a cauldron," she notes. “It’s the type of mug you couldn’t buy in stores. I like that.”

Their next project is a journey box, Ms. Jaffe’s favorite project. It allows students to express a journey they have taken or will take, whether it is an inward or outward expedition. In the past, a runner made a box that looked like a shoe with a poem inside. Another student made a guitar, bringing memories of himself and his relationship with his father. Other students created links to their cultural traditions. Ms. Jaffe comments, “The journey box is so open to interpretation – it’s wonderful. You can really fly with it.”

In the busy life of a modern teenager, Ms. Jaffe’s ceramics class provides a relaxing way for students to explore more than just math and science – they explore themselves and the world around them. Kathleen grins, “I have to say, Ms. Jaffe gets us excited. We really learn stuff. She just gets us moving.”

By Suzanne Oppenheimer