Several Michael A. Maroun Elementary School students were recently honored during an assembly in the cafeteria for exhibiting responsibility throughout January. Students who embody the school’s character education traits are recognized each month for their efforts.

The following second-grade students were honored: Brandon Slater, Maddie Di Giovani, Emmy Strop, Madilyn LaRocque, Cadence Hunneyman, Raiden Cummings, Kendal Barnes, Edyn Darling, Ian Bova, Elizabeth Bullis, Thomas Jones, Avery LaRobardiere, Daizie McMahon, Sam Carno, and Kara Chape.

Raiden Cummings also received a responsibility award for art, while Lacey Goodman received a responsibility award for library and George Williams received the same award for showing responsibility in the café.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary students smile after being recognized for showing responsibility
throughout the month of January.

Students in Sandy Silky's class at the Emerson J. Dillon Middle School are performing random acts of kindness throughout the 2015-2016 school year. In January, students hosted a breakfast for staff members. In February, the class will provide a sweet surprise to one EJD classroom and teacher for Valentine's Day.

The tradition of Phoenix Central School District musical excellence continues with two John C. Birdlebough High School juniors’ participation in the New York State School Music Association’s 2015 Winter Conference at the Rochester Convention Center in December.

Zachary Thompson sang first tenor in the All-State Mixed Chorus and Brian Breen played percussion in the All-State Wind Ensemble. Both students performed alongside the best high school musicians throughout the state.

Preparation for the event included student selection and performance of an All-State solo at the NYSSMA solo festival in the spring. Those solos were evaluated and scored, and scores were sent to an All-State ensemble selection committee. Students were notified of their selection over the summer and were sent a packet of music to prepare for the winter conference. The repertoire for these concerts is at a correspondingly high level of difficulty, and the students spent several hours working and preparing prior to the conference.

The winter conference began Dec. 3 with a three-day marathon of rehearsals in preparation for their concert. Students stayed in the hotel at the Convention Center with other top high school musicians and were afforded opportunities to attend social gatherings.

Thompson said his experience of singing in a chorus of over 250 top-notch singers was life changing and that he would do it again in a heartbeat.

Several Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students have earned gold or silver stars for their academic achievements throughout the second marking period.

Students are awarded a gold star for achieving a quarterly report card average of 90 or higher. A silver star is earned for a quarterly average of 85 to 89.99. All honorees received a certificate of achievement and will be invited to participate in a special activity as a reward for their hard work.

Fifth-grade gold star recipients include: Kathryn AuClair, Chase Bacon, Isaiah Bergman, Allenmichael Borasky, Grayson Brady, Elisabeth Caltabiano, Courtney Carter, Emily Dunn-Hulett, Hayley Dygert, Michael Farrar, Madison Fatcheric, Evan Fox, Lindsey Goudy, Mia Graham, Kenidee Grover, Mallory Hess, Blake Hoyt, Mattie Hunt, Evan Isabell, Olivia Isabella, Alexis Izyk-Treece, Alan Jacques, Conor Jones, Chase Kenner-Carbonaro, Morgan Lynch, Brooke McCann, John McDonald, Peyton Nichols, Tateum Patnode, Jamie Pergrem, Cody Perry, Logan Petrie, Lillianne Quinn, Hannah Reilley, Sheriden Southworth, Zoey Stone, Ryan Thompson, Alexander Whaley and Austin Wilder.

Fifth-grade silver star recipients include: Aiyannah Bukowski, Donnivan Bukowski, Liam Campanino, Solomon Campbell, Victoria Cerullo, Meghan Clothier, Reghan Conley, Dominic Croteau, Blake Duncan, Milani Eldred, Mark Eusepi Jr., Robert Finch Jr., Damian Fratello, Shawn Froio, Zoe Gordon, Jason Hilton, Riley Huntley, Brandon Ingoldby, Dylan Jones, Mikayla Maxam, Jenna Moore, Edward Pitcher, Sahara Sardo, Lillie Shaffer, Adrianna Sullivan, Celia Tangorra and Julianna Williams.

Gold star awards were given to the following sixth-graders: Sarah Andrews, Sarah Ashby, Noah Bartholomew, Virginia Bednarski, Zackery Bennett, Mathew Bernard, Alissa Bova, Adrianna Breckheimer, Matthew Breton, Gracie Britton, Conner Calkins, Chloe Coughlin, Isaiah Gordon, James Hagg II, Jonah Hawthorne, Bethany Hook, Alexandra Hopps, Alaina Hubbell, Jayde Jacobson, Autumn Kelly, Grace Landis, Caitlyn Lando, Nevaeh Lando, Larissa MacDonald, Hannah McArthur, Grace McDonald, Erick Moreira, Jacob Neupert, Gabriella Payne, Katelyn Pyzdrowski, Kelsey Redhead, Ariana Richway, Kylie Russo, Taylor Smith, and Daniel Stellingwerf.

Silver star awards were given to the following sixth-graders: Landon Armstrong, Stephen Beal, Masson Bell, Ian Burgett, Brendan Champion, Jake Charleston, Jared Charleston, Kaitlyn Chesbro, Mary Crandall, Breannah Demo, Johnathan Dion, Matthew Files, Dominic Germain, Brian Gibbs, Joseph Green, Madisen Guerrero, Nicholas Hanson, Tye Hughes, Willyam Jolly, Karson Kimball, Maggie LaPine, Dominick Mason, Cody McFall, Max Morgan, Brady Munger, Weston Murphy, McKenna Neiss, Carson Newvine, Carter Norton, Carter Pinkley,  Curtis Pitcher, Hanadi Sardo, Nicholas Sisera, Jacob Smallman, Olivia Snyder, Brooke-Lynne Springer, Sean Stevens, Gaven Sutter, Ella Tangorra, Chastity Thomas and Austin Wagar.

Seventh-grade gold star awardees are: Isabella Allen, Shay Altman, Amaya Baker, Nicholas Bartlett, Haley Bowersox, Sara Brunell, Chloe Calkins, Cameron Cerul, Hannah Charleston, Emma Clark, Tabitha Clark, Sophia Crandall, Brielle DeRoberts, Alicia Durst, Francesca Goodell, Noah Gordon, Cierra Harvey, Alivia Lamphere, Miranda LaRobardiere, Jock Li, Megan Lytle, Owen Lytle, Zack Mills, Robert Minard, Garret Morrissiey, Andrew Quinn, Tyler Redhead, Connor Roberts, Lily Roberts, William Semanchuk-Enser, Aiden Southworth, Isabella Stacy, Nathaniel Sutter, Liam Sweeney, Zoie Tracy, Melody Trask, Sophia Trinca, Aidan Trumble, Thomas Uhl, Michael VanAuken Jr. and Mason Watkins.

Seventh-grade silver star awardees are: Emily Babbitt, Ashleigh Besaw, Natalie Brown, Kelsie Burgess, Kaelyn Cartwright, Alexander Coons, Hailie Dailey, Ethan Fox, Hailey Fredericks, Mattison Hess, Amanda Justian, Nathan Kosakowski, Patricia Lamach, Samantha McLoughlin, Alex Olschewske, Imari Piscitelli, Holt Reed, Keaton Renfrew, Brett Sears. Jacob Smith, Benjamin Thibault, Corinne Thibault and Ashlyn Wallace.

Gold stars honors went to these eighth-graders: Violet Ameele, Grace Arnold, Jadan Bruno, Danielle Case, Cheyenne Cook, Jeffrey Cooper, Michael Dion, Elisabeth Dona, Darren Fischel, Camron Fordyce, Caitlin George, Hailey Goudy, Allison Grabowski, Adam Hahn, Samantha Harrison, Keera Hazen, Brianna Horn, Carly Ingerson, Ann Joseph, Madison Kalt, Katelyn Kenner-Carbonaro, Jena Klimaszewski, Lauren Kraft, Brigid Lawless, Julianna Lewis, Tina Li, Chloe Lytle, Alexandria Mills, Caitlyn Mitchell, Joseph Murphy, Savannah Neupert, Keva Newby, Skyler Patnode, Taylor Petrie, Ethan Remington, Aubrianna Renfrew, Leah Schlachter, Ayden Slack, Jacob St. Laurent, Tamika Stobart, Sarah Thorn, Nicole Tulowiecki, Teresa Uhl, Madison VanAuken and Grace Vestigo.

Silver star honors went to these eighth-graders: Emma Allers, Riley Belknap, Olivia Bigelow, Mason Bresett, Alexis Capenos, Julia Francisco, Leah Green, Samuel Guthrie, Cassadee Handville, Paige Isabell, Laila Jones, Hailey Liscomb, Bradyn Lough, Joshua Lovins, Matthew Maestri, Amaya Malambri, Christian McKay, Abigail Meaker, Kelise Newby, Brooke Palmer, Madison Pelton, Love Phillips, Vanessa Rivera, Nicholas Vaverchak, Carissa Watkins, Madison Watkins, Seth Watkins and Paige Weldin.

Phoenix student Spencer Evans was recently named Athlete of the Week by the Palladium Times for his athletic efforts as goalie for the Fulton Varsity Hockey Team (Phoenix does not have a hockey team).

The article reads that Evans has only allowed two goals or fewer for many games this season, and the team has been a winning success. Evans was quoted as saying, “I have a lot of help from my teammates . . . we’ve worked very hard in practice, and it’s paying off.”

Click here to read the full article on the Palladium Times website.

Phoenix Central School District student Mike Sadoski recently was the recipient of the National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award.

This award was recognized at an annual dinner sponsored by the National Football Foundation. Every athlete inducted received a $500 scholarship and a free tuxedo to wear to the event.

Sadoski was a captain of the 2015 Phoenix Firebirds football team and displayed his leadership qualities both offensively and defensively. He was second on the team in rushing with 643 yards and second in tackles with 73 tackles. He also received second team defensive honors.

Academically, Sadoski has a 94 percent overall grade point average, and he hopes to attend Clarkson University next fall to study mechanical engineering.

Previous years’ Phoenix National Football Foundation inductees include: Dustin Blumer (2015), Dylan Doupe (2014), Cruce Jones (2013) and Ben Ewald (2012). 

Phoenix student Mike Sadoski receives a National Football Foundation Scholar  Athlete Award. From left to right: Phoenix Athletic Director Steve Musso, Head Coach Chad Rowe, Mike Sadoski and Assistant Head Coach Mike Libertone.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary School staff members made Valentine’s Day a little sweeter for sick children in Central New York by donating Valentine treat bags to the Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse. For the past two years, MAM staff members have donated 40 goodies bags filled with playing cards, paddle balls, stress balls, Match Box cars, finger nail polish, homemade bookmarks, handmade Valentines, bubbles, bracelets, candy, pads, pencils, pens, crayons and balloons, among other fun items.

MAM Guidance Counselor Nora Germain said the school continues to receive positive feedback from hospital staff about the donations, which always bring smiles to children’s faces.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary School staff members collected Valentine’s Day goodies for patients at the
Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse

More than a dozen Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students were recently recognized for their positive behavior during the first half of the school year.

Students who followed the “Dillon Way” throughout the first and second quarters earned tickets from their teachers and were entered into weekly and monthly drawings for exceeding expectations. Those winners’ names were submitted for a quarterly recognition drawing.

The following students were honored in the first and second quarters: Riley Crandall, Ashlee Minard, Evan Isabell, Sheridan Southworth, Tabitha Clark, Jock LI, Dominick Mason, Kaitlyn Chesbro, Maria Main, Weston Murphy, Zachary Ashby, Courtney Worden, Alexander Whaley, Grace Calkins and Lauren Kraft.

Several John C. Birdlebough High School students received Spark Awards for exemplifying positive character traits throughout the second marking period.

During a recent assembly, Principal Greg Molloy applauded nearly 40 students who helped ignite a path to greatness by exhibiting citizenship, integrity, responsibility and/or perseverance. The honorees demonstrated those qualities in a variety of ways, such as holding doors open for others, managing academic and employer responsibilities, and by meeting academic goals. Molloy noted that those positive actions rub off on other students, which creates a positive and stronger JCB school community.

Spark Award recipients were Avery Adams, Kearra Backus, Jessica Bello, Nick Bernard, A.C. Bowman, Ryan Chesbro, Casie Coon, Kea Corey, Taylor Drew, Veronica Gates, Matt Gersbache, Morgan Gravlin, Branden Hall, Brook Jones, Jessica Jones, Shianne Just, Katie Kimball, Chloe Koegel, Brianna Luke, Tianna Martin, Taylor Mattice, Brenna Mitchell, Christina Murdie, Hunter Nerber, Makayla Newvine, Rodney Pagano, Joe Pickett, Morgan Stobart, Siera Wilder, Sebastian Wygant, Natasha Zody, Paul Zobb, Bronwyn Bishop, Kim Davis, Cahal Donovan, Alyssa Froio, Alicia Midlar and Jacob Nicolini.

Winners are nominated by JCB staff members at the end of each quarter. All recipients receive a certificate of recognition and coupon good for one ice cream in the school cafeteria. At the end of the school year, two Spark Award recipients from each grade level will join the top 10 from each class on a special trip to Hershey Park in June.

Students celebrate as they become recipients of the Spark Award for having exhibited citizenship, integrity,
responsibility or perseverance.

The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation is gearing up for a substitute recruitment day March 31 to help fulfill the needs of schools throughout the area.

School districts are currently in need of substitute clerical workers, teachers, aides, transportation employees, custodial staff, teacher assistants and food service workers. Individuals who are seeking employment in any of these positions are encouraged to attend the free event, from 9 a.m. to noon at CiTi’s Fulton campus (806 W. Broadway).

The recruitment day will provide a chance for members of the public to explore available jobs and meet with representatives from Oswego County school districts as well as CiTi personnel. Attendees will also have the option to fine-tune their resumes with the help of Oswego County Workforce New York.

For those interested in exploring a position as an educator, CiTi will have a representative on hand from 11 a.m. to noon for a presentation titled “Surviving as a Substitute Teacher and Loving It.”

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students were recently recognized for their random acts of kindness as well as for academic achievements.

During Random Acts of Kindness week, Phoenix students rewarded their peers for completing acts of kindness during lunch. Prizes were distributed, sponsored by Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, Just Donuts and Chestnut Event Services. A grand prize was randomly drawn from the participants, and Jacob Grassman received a $25 gift card, courtesy of Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.

The same day as the drawing, the school’s quarterly “Jump Shot Awards” were distributed to students who raised their grade point average (GPA) more than five full points since the previous quarter and were passing all of their classes. Approximately 20 students received this honor: Carson Newvine, Dominic Germain, Cody McFall, Ella Tangorra, William Jones II, Ariana Iannuzzi, Hayden Sherman, Carter Norton, Isaiah Santola, Joshua Blackwell, Katalina Wright, Logan Ricker, Hailey Maldonado, Nicholas Merriett, Jada Wyatt, Abigail Speich, Anthony Sgarlata, Lauren Kraft, Michael Dion and Austin Wyatt.

Phoenix student Jacob Grassman receives a $25 gift card,  courtesy of Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, for performing  acts of kindness.

Phoenix middle-schoolers receive the quarterly “Jump Shot Award” for raising their grade point average by five points or more since  the previous quarter. Principal Sue Anderson (right) congratulates the students.

Phoenix Central School District seniors Kellen Arnold and Zachary Van Gorder have been named the top two students in the John C. Birdlebough High School Class of 2016.

Arnold was recently named valedictorian and Van Gorder earned salutatorian honors. Both students have been accepted into multiple colleges and are considering which school to attend in the fall.

JCB Principal Gregory Molloy congratulated the top two students during a recent awards presentation in the school library.

“Think about the difficulty of work in classes and all of that hard work to have a GPA over 105,” Molloy told the crowd of students and guests.

John C. Birdlebough High School class of 2016 Valedictorian Kellen Arnold, second from left, and Salutatorian
Zachary Van Gorder, center, are all smiles after being named the top two students. They are flanked by PCSD Executive
Director of Instruction, Personnel and Educational Services Christopher Byrne, JCB Principal Gregory Molloy and PCSD
Superintendent Judy Belfield.

The John C. Birdlebough High School Drama Club invites the public to experience “Pirates of Penzance,” a coming of age performance about a young man trying to break away from his pirate family as he turns 21 years old.

The comedic opera will be presented March 10, 11 and 12 in the high school auditorium. With music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, the production follows the story of Frederic whose dreams are interrupted by the realization he is a leap year baby so he has to wait until he’s really 84. The story follows Frederic’s love interest, Mabel, who is the daughter of Major General Stanley. The general, however, has an aversion to pirates and a ruckus ensues.

Show times are 4 p.m. March 10, 7:30 p.m. March 11 and both 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 12. Cost for students and senior citizens is $7 and $10 for adults. Seating is reserved, and pre-order ticket sales are available by emailing Lspereno@phoenixcsd.org.

The cast and crew of “Pirates of Penzance”  includes more than X performers, singers, dancers and musicians who are eager to show off their hard work and talent. Brian Logee is directing the musical, while Liza Grethel serves as the music director and Jill Pitcher is the dance choreographer.

Each year JCB Drama Club produces a fall play and a spring musical, giving students a chance to act, sing, dance, and express their creativity. For more information, click here.

Several John C. Birdlebough High School Drama Club members act out a scene from their upcoming
show, “Pirates of Penzance.”

The Phoenix Central School District had a phenomenal winter sports season with several teams making it all the way to championship games.

The Varsity Wrestling Team won the Freedom National League Championship, and Cahal Donovan was named section 3 champion at his weight class. Both Donovan and Ross McFarland also finished second in the State Championships for their weight classes and Brad Dietz finished sixth in the state tournament.

Also excelling this season was the Boys Varsity Indoor Track team. Standout Chris Fisk won the pole vault competition and is the Sectional Champion of that event. Track teammates received the following placements in their sectionals tournaments: sixth-place in the pole vault for Eli Clark, fifth-place in both the pole vault and the triple jump for John Garofalo, fifth-place in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs for Bryce Byrns and breaking his own school record in the 1,000-meter run was Eric Leach who took home third-place for that event. Sean Madden took third-place in both the long jump and triple jump. The 4 by 200 relay team of Jacob Marr, Sean Madden, Chris Fisk and John Garoafalo placed third, and the 4 by 400 relay team of Larry Pilon, Cade Reed, Brandon Denniston and Matt Stellingwerf took fourth-place. The 4 by 800 relay team of Eric Leach, Bryce Byrns, Ryan Luke and Matt Stellingwerf placed third. The track team placed fifth overall in the highly competitive event.

Varsity Girls Indoor Track teammates Emilie Hilliard, Gianna DeRoberts, Hannah Gilbert and Tianna Martin placed fifth in the 4 by 400 relay and third in the 4 by 200 relay at sectionals. Hilliard also came in second in the 55 dash.

The Girls Varsity Basketball Team ended an impressive season, making it all the way to the first round of sectionals. Player Samantha Doupe was a 1st team all-league selection, while Caitlyn Connolly was a second team all-league selection and Shannon Dolan was an all-league honorable mention.

Stephen J. Musso, Phoenix Central School District Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, commended all winter athletes for having an exceptional season. He said students have learned vital and positive life skills, values and ethics in a climate that demands dedication, self-discipline and a strong work ethic.

“It is my hope that the overall positive experience athletes had, the variety of sports offered and the success of our teams will continue to grow interest among the student body,” Musso said.

John C. Birdlebough High School Varsity Wrestling Team members, from left: Brad Dietz, Ross McFarland and
Cahal Donovan stand proud after they were recently named some of the top wrestlers in their weight class in
the state.

Fifty-seven students in grades three and four at Michael A. Maroun Elementary School participated in the schoolwide Battle of the Books event, held March 14 in the intermediate cafeteria.

While the competition was tight with five teams tied for first place after half-time scores were announced, team “Furby’s, Ponies and Dragons. OH My!” earned 104 points and the right to advance to the countywide competition on March 22 at Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square.

MAM teams read and studied 10 books featured in the 2016 nationwide Battle of the Books competition. During the building battle, a total of 16 questions were asked, beginning with the words “In Which book.” Teams had 30 seconds to come up with an answer before they voiced their answers and wrote down a key word from the title and the author’s last name on a score sheet. Students earned eight points for a correct title and author, or five points for a title only. No points were awarded for correct author only.

Library Media Specialist Steven Terchowitz served as battle emcee and congratulated all teams for dedicating their free time to reading. All students received a participation medal.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary School students, from left are: Anastasia Moore, Finnegan Coons and Piper
Hall happily display their first-place trophies and participation medals after they scored the most points
of 104 to win the building’s annual Battle of the Books event.

Building upon nearly 15 years of administrative experience in the Phoenix Central School District, longtime administrator and former Central Square teacher Christopher Byrne has been named the district’s next superintendent.

In a unanimous vote March 14, the PCSD Board of Education approved Byrne as the successor to Judy Belfield, who will retire in June. The decision came after an intensive search and interview process in which Byrne’s experience, qualifications and dedication to Phoenix schools propelled him forward.

“Chris has been here for 15 years and he knows the district inside and out,” said PCSD Board of Education President Earl Rudy. “The board is looking forward to working with him as superintendent.”

Byrne, who currently holds the position of Executive Director of Instruction, Personnel and Educational Services for the district, said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve the PCSD in this new capacity.

“It is a tremendous responsibility with monumental rewards, and I feel honored to be selected as the next Superintendent of Schools,” Byrne said. “We have an excellent board of education, a dedicated administrative team, a committed faculty and staff, great students and parents, and a tight-knit community. I’m confident that I have the skills and experience necessary to help continue to move the district forward.”

Byrne noted that the best way to ensure the PCSD continues its forward momentum is by making decisions that are in the best interest of all students. He cited his student-centered mentality and experience in education as key traits that he will bring to the position.

“My building-level and district-level experience gives me a unique perspective,” Byrne said. “I want to make a difference for our students, our district and our community.”

Eager to make an impact, Byrne outlined some of his goals as superintendent. He said he will continue to focus on academics and student opportunities while providing teachers and support staff with professional development and educational resources needed.

“The faculty and staff are a huge asset here in Phoenix,” Byrne said. “We’re always researching ways to improve instruction in our classrooms.  We’re focused on improving ourselves as professionals and improving the opportunities for our students – that’s why we’re here.”

Byrne will officially begin his service as Superintendent of Schools on July 1.

The Michael A. Maroun Elementary School cafeteria transformed into a science exhibit recently as students showcased their research during the annual science fair.

More than 50 budding scientists in kindergarten through fourth grades participated in the after-school event. Projects highlighted a broad range of topics, from astronomy to biology, and students were on hand to answer questions about their research.

“This is always a great event and it’s nice to see so many students participate,” said Parent-Faculty Organization member Pam Southworth. “They really do a great job.”

Their efforts were rewarded as medals were presented to participants at each grade level. Best in Show award-winners were: Maya Cooley (kindergarten); Gavin Painter (first grade); Liam MacDonald (second grade); Abigail Felix (third grade); and Savannah Felix (fourth grade). Honorable mention recognition went to Owen Gratz, Helena Jandzio, Colin Boyzuck, Julian Burns and Chase McElyea.

John C. Birdlebough High School students Matti Gleason and Daniel Knowlton recently represented the Phoenix Central School District by participating in the New York State Band Director’s annual High School Honor Band.

Gleason was one of four students selected to play the oboe, and Knowlton was one of 19 students selected to play the trumpet alongside several other top high school musicians in the state. The students’ honor band performance occurred after they performed one of the highest scoring solos at last year’s New York State School Music Association’s festival.

The 2016 NYSBDA High School Honor Band’s guest conductor was Dr. James Tapia. Included in the concert program was “Festive Overture” by Dmitri Shostakavich, “The Last Centaur” by Rossano Galante and “Give Us This Day” by David Maslanka.

JCB High School students Matti Gleason, left, and Daniel Knowlton, right, beam with pride in celebration
of their recent participation in the New York State Band Director’s annual High School Honor Band.

Talent, fashion and personality were on display in the John C. Birdlebough High School auditorium recently as 13 students vied for the title of Mr. Phoenix.

The male pageant, which served as a fundraiser for the sophomore class, yielded plenty of laughter throughout the evening. A panel of judges assessed each participant in three categories: talent, evening wear and interview skills.

While each contestant brought their unique flair and abilities to the stage, senior Derick White’s performance on the cow bell and his quirky attire in the evening wear round gave him an edge over the other contestants. White accepted the crown as Mr. Phoenix 2016 and was congratulated by his fellow competitors.

Other students who participated in the competition were Austin Wirth, John Garofalo, Dan Frawley, Conrad Karl, Josh Dievendorf, Mike Sadoski, Alex Brutcher, Alan Ashby, Garrett Frink,

Josh Margrey, Zach Thompson and Zach Neupert.

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students in Ashley Modafferi’s and Beth Pritchard’s art classes recently became immersed in the art world during a field trip to the Everson Art Museum in Syracuse.

There they learned to critique famous artworks and explored a variety of exhibits from photography to clay and paintings. Students also discussed the works of I.M Pei, architect of the Everson Museum building, who also created the glass pyramid at the Louvre museum in Paris.

The field trip was offered in recognition of Youth Art Month in March, which celebrates the importance of art in schools. During the visit, students also discussed clay and glaze techniques they will use in their current clay unit. They already learned how to roll clay slabs and coil clay to make a unique piece of pottery.

EJD Middle School art students recently explored the Everson Art Museum in Syracuse to explore
famous works of art and a variety of techniques they could use in their art class for projects.