The Phoenix Central School District has again been recognized by the National Association of Music Merchandizers as one of the country’s Best Communities for Music Education.

This is the sixth consecutive year Phoenix received the distinction, which acknowledges schools and districts throughout the nation for their commitment to and support for music education. According to the organization’s website, the program “evaluates schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards, community support, participation and access to music instruction.”

New York State again dominated the list, accounting for 120 of the 476 school districts honored this year. Phoenix is one of two districts in Oswego County to earn the distinction.

Throughout the Phoenix Central School District, musical opportunities are abound: elementary musical instrument introductions and chorus, middle school and high school bands and chorus, marching band, winter drumline and musicals. To explore music throughout the district, visit www.phoenixcsd.org.

John C. Birdlebough High School seniors were recently named Battle of the Classes champions for embodying school spirit.

The annual event is the culmination of a yearlong effort of the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes to become more involved in school activities and to give back to the community. Each class received points throughout the year for student involvement in volunteer activities and school functions. Those points were combined with points earned in the Battle of the Classes physical competition, which were calculated to determine the overall winner.

Both the winter guard and drumline offered stellar performances before teachers from each grade level competed in games, earning points for their classes. Students remained in their respective separated class sections in the JCB gymnasium as they cheered on class representatives who participated in challenges such as a scooter race, a partner relay and tug-of-war.

Headed into the final battle, the freshmen class trailed the seniors by only eight points. Several students showed their Firebird pride as they cheered teammates and teachers to victory, but it was the senior class that edged out its competition with a total 49 points and received the coveted Battle of the Classes trophy.

JCB Seniors, pictured below, celebrate their Battle of the Classes win as they raise up the coveted championship trophy.

The exhibit will celebrate the artistic achievements of elementary level students and visitors to Beaver Lake Nature Center and will be displayed during the month of April. A variety of work relating to nature themes, including animals and landscapes in the form of paintings, drawings, prints, collage and more will be part of the “Student Art – Naturally” exhibit.

An opening reception will be held on Sunday, April 10 to honor the young artists. Each of the students will receive a certificate and ribbon in recognition of his/her participation in the show. Refreshments will be served while family members and friends enjoy the reception.

Artwork selected include: Pumpkin by Cameron Dryer; Fall Tree Reflections by Zoey Coleman; Bald Eagle by Arlin Russo; Georgia O’Keefe Flower by Jianna Metot; and Winter Cardinal by Rhys Curran. 

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School studio art students have matched their creativity with a greater cause.

The eighth-graders are participating in a program called the Memory Project, in which art students receive a photo of a child who has faced various challenges. EJD students have turned those photos of Peruvian orphans into beautiful portraits in an effort to help the children feel loved and to spread kindness throughout the world.

EJD art teacher Ashley Modafferi said the artwork will be on display at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse throughout the month of May. The portraits will then be sent to their respective child in Peru as a token of friendship. According to the Memory Project, a video will be made of each delivery so student artists and their teachers may see the reactions.

Modafferi said the project ties in with the eighth-graders’ lessons about the value of drawing and portraiture and discovering more about the culture of Peru.

EJD Middle School studio art students created these portraits based on a color picture of Peruvian orphans sent from the Memory Project. Students learned the value of drawing and global kindness.

In celebration of the success of their winterguard and colorguard teams this year, the Phoenix Central School District (PCSD) hosted a Winterguard Community Night on April 1 as a way to showcase the talents of the students who have worked so hard this season.

Due to an increase in student involvement, PCSD separated the students into four teams this year to ensure maximum skill growth for each member. The four teams are the Colorguard Club, the Cadet Winterguard, the Junior Winterguard and the Senior Winterguard. The Colorguard Club is comprised of elementary youngsters, and Phoenix is one of the few Districts in the area to offer the sport at such a young age.

The evening began with the Colorguard Club’s performance to the song “You’ll be in My Heart” by Phil Collins. The flags that the kids used in the routine were handmade by Pamela Southworth, Vice President of the Michael A. Maroun Elementary Parent-Faculty Organization.

The Cadet Winterguard performed a special routine to “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten that was dedicated to Phoenix resident Linda K. Storrings, who passed away last year after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Jamie Cullum’s “If I Ruled the World” was the musical accompaniment to the Junior Winterguard’s stunning performance. Support was felt by the entire community as the applause roared for an encore.

The Senior Winterguard performed a very personal routine devised by Director Nicholas Gerling that was entitled “Lost.” The accompaniment was a special arrangement comprised of various musical and vocal clips as well as the voices of the winterguard team members describing times that they felt lost.

“We hope this is a message that everyone can relate to,” said Gerling. He pointed out the design of the floor mat, which included the map coordinates for the village of Phoenix, NY, a sign to the students to remember where they came from when they leave the walls of John C. Birdlebough High School. 

The Senior Winterguard made the decision to promote themselves to the next level of competitive competition this year, the Scholastic Open Class, which is the second highest class students can compete in nationally. The team has attended two regional competitions this year in Salem, Massachusetts and Monmouth, New Jersey. These regional events afford the students national exposure and also get them into seeded rankings for world championships. Gerling said that the main goal of the event was to make it from the preliminary round into the finals, which the Phoenix Senior Winterguard achieved at both events. Gerling said this was quite an accomplishment for their first year in an advanced competitive class.

The Senior Winterguard also brought home silver medals at two recent championships held at SUNY Brockport and Cicero North Syracuse Middle School. The team is currently ranked 36th in the nation in their class division, which makes them the second highest ranked scholastic colorguard in New York State going into the 2016 World Championships, which will take place in Dayton, Ohio this spring.

“They are incredibly talented students,” said Gerling.

The Phoenix Indoor Percussion Ensemble also rocked the house at the community night with a piece entitled “Curse.” The seniors of the group were each recognized for their talent and musical contributions. Many members had been involved in music and band for eight or more years.

The Phoenix Indoor Percussion Ensemble was also a finalist at a regional event in Trumbull, Connecticut this year and was awarded the bronze medalist in the Scholastic A division at their championship, which took place at Onondaga Community College recently. 

To view photos from the event, check out the Phoenix CSD Facebook Page!

The Phoenix Senior Winterguard performs at a recent Winterguard Community Night held by the District in celebration of the teams’ talents and success this season.

Emerson J. Dillon Eighth Grader Caitlin George won first place at the Junior Level 2016 Oswego County Student Art Show & Competition at the Salmon River Fine Arts Center in Pulaski.

The studio artist from Ashley Modafferi’s EJD art class pencil drew a black and grey watercolor palette called “The Shady Water.” For her efforts, George received a certificate of recognition and a $100 prize.

Student work will be displayed at the arts center through April 29. George’s work may be viewed alongside the following EJD honorable mention artists from Modafferi’s and Beth Pritchard’s EJD art classes: Vanessa Rivera, Katey Kenner Carbonaro, Teresa Uhl, Tamika Stobart and Morgan Kosakowski. The students competed against middle school students from throughout Oswego County who submitted the following art mediums: paintings, drawings, photographt, sculpture, computer-generated art, printmaking and mixed media.

EJD Eighth Grader Caitlin George proudly displays her prize check and certificate of recognition she was awarded after receiving first place at the Junior Level Oswego County Student Art Show & Competition for her work, top left.

John C. Birdlebough High School students offered beautiful sounds and music during the culturally-infused Spring Choral Concert.

Attendees were treated to performances by the concert chorus, chamber singers, and the Phoenix Firebirds Percussion Ensemble. Student Hannah Grabowski performed the featured vocal solo of “Poor Wand’ring One” from Pirates of Penzance.

The concert chorus sang 10 songs, including pieces from South Africa, Zambia and elsewhere around the world. The Phoenix Firebird Percussion Ensemble performed “Can-O-Saurus,” “Mr. Powers” and “Sweet Caroline.” The Phoenix Firebird Chamber Singers also had an eclectic performance of eight songs sung in various languages. The group closed with “Balleilakka,” a South Asian song which featured six soloists and the percussion ensemble.

All singers closed out the show with a performance of, “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady.”

For additional music highlights and upcoming performances, visit www.phoenixcsd.org.

Guys from both the concert chorus and chamber singers at John C. Birdlebough High School perform
“The Rocky Road to Dublin” while director Brian Logee offers a banjo accompaniment.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary School studentswere recently honored for exhibiting perseverance throughout the month of March.

Honorees were commended for never giving up, always trying their best and working hard to improve academic and behavior goals. Classmates clapped and cheered as Guidance Counselor Nora Germain presented perseverance awards to the following kindergartners: Hunter Rodriguez, Demi Schebell, Kylie Legare, Chayse Maty, Isaiah Jackson, Garritt Pitre, Jimmy Halstead, Theodore Lough, Isabella Kasten, Dogntae Lockwood, Cadence Wiesbrod, Kyle Widger, Skyler Steinberg, Lucas Walters, Myles Gordon, Jacob Grant and Kylee Bradley.

Also honored were the following first graders: Gabriel Gonzalez, Madison Hart, Mia Difulio, Steven Hartkopf, Tyler Ingoldby, Ryan Kleingardner, Peyton Hopps, Mallory Backus, Tommy Ryan, Peyton Bobbette, Jayden Cook, Landon Rowe, Dante Taylor, Payton Young, Wyatt Scruton, Kya Cole, Mariah Ashley, Garrett Ende, Elijah Jackson and Kaiden Siler.

Recipients in second grade include: Zach Lovins, Zoey Moore, Aaron Ryan, Quentin Thomas, Zoey Schermett, Summer Sardo, Daniel Swank, Bryan Walseman, Aadyn Byrne, Brandon Coleman, Jazmyn Lough, Isaiah Anderson, Hunter Young, Andrew Ross, Dominik Kuhlman, Riley Ann Farrar, Ethan Ross and Jayden Dunn.

Third-grade award winners are: Jacob Lindsley, Jonathan Banks, Ezekial Shadrau, Emma Huntley, Emma Fox, Finn Coons, Eric McLoughlin, Mikayla McQuown and Olivia Edwards.

Fourth graders honored are: Dante Teste, Austin Moore, Alana Clough, Jordyn Meyers, Savannah Brown, Jeremy Haskins, Logan Corteux, Erika Dygert, Caleb Jolly and Nathan Worden.

For their efforts, all students received an ice cream coupon and certificate of recognition.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary School kindergartners show off their certificates of recognition after they
were honored for exhibiting perseverance throughout the month of March.

Several Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students were recently recognized for improving their academics from the second quarter to the third quarter.

Honorees received a Jump Shot Award for achieving an overall average of 65 or higher and for increasing their average by five points. The following fifth-grade students received awards: Isaac Chesbro, Mackenzie Chetney, Dominic Croteau, Skyla Brown and Thomas Checksfield. Sixth-graders William English, Mariah Gilligan and Alexis Wolfanger received the same honor, as did seventh-graders Jacob Scruton and Donovan Zych. Eighth-grade honorees include Jacob Cooper and Haylie Homer.

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School Principal Sue Anderson, second from left in the back, stands proud alongside students who were honored for increasing their grade point average by five points this quarter.

Several students from Emerson J. Dillon Middle School in Phoenix were recognized for their contributions as good citizens throughout the school.

The fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders exhibited positive character traits and became role models for classmates throughout the school. Teacher Raina Hinman presented students with a certificate of recognition and Principal Sue Anderson offered her congratulations to students on their achievement.

Fifth-grade recipients include: Jason Phoenix, Eddie Pitcher, Allenmichael Borasky, Courtney Carter, Zoe Gordon, Morgan Lynch, Chase Bacon, Brooke McCann, Damian Fratello, Dominic Croteau, Emily Dunn-Hulett, Zoey Stone and Evan Isabell.

Sixth-grade honorees are: Jared Charleston, Olivia Snyder, Skyla Brown, James Hagg, Curtis Pitcher, Madisen Guerrero, Ariana Richway, Isaiah Gordon, Ella Tangorra, Zachary Bennett, Katalina Wright and Neveah Lando.

The following seventh-grade students also received awards: Shay Altman, Tabitha Clark, Miranda LaRobardiere, Andrew Quinn, Emily Babbitt, Mattison Hess, Ethan Fox, Sophia Crandall and Hailey Fredericks.

Awards were given to the following eighth-graders: Violet Ameele, Teresa Uhl, Carly Ingerson, Christian McKay, Alexandria Mills, Caitlyn Mitchell, Jacob Tangorra, Madison VanAuken and Christa Delaney.

EJD Middle Principal Sue Anderson, top left, congratulates Citizenship Award recipients as they show
off their certificates of recognition.

The John C. Birdlebough High School Earth Science Honors class boasted academic exploration during the annual Earth Science Honors Research Symposium, held in the JCB library.

The symposium was a culmination of six months of student research based on climate change. Students reviewed scientific articles, designed a research collage poster and presented a videotaped PowerPoint presentation in class addressing a scientific question about climate change. Through that research, students explored how climate has affected the following topics: bird migration, coral reefs, Galapagos Penguins, the human population, war, plankton and mammals, among several other categories.

Each of the 19 students provided a brief synopsis of their research and what they learned about climate change. Dan Braun said he learned that coral reefs have become more vulnerable to diseases, while Declan Hawthorne said storms are increasing in intensity. Emilie Hilliard explored human involvement in climate change, and cautioned classmates and the two dozen guests in attendance to be more careful what we do in the world today so the world remains stable.

Certificates of appreciation were handed out to each student by Teacher Susan Sharp. Six students were selected as medal winners and Hilliard received a plaque for the principal’s choice Best of Show award from Principal Gregory Molloy. Attendees voted “What Are the Effects of Climate Change on Polar Bears” as their favorite poster, which was designed by Mariah Sheirer.

On behalf of her class, Hilliard also honored Molloy with a certificate of appreciation for his support for the symposium. He commended the students for their hard work and dedication.

JCB Teacher Susan Sharp, front left, distributes honors research symposium certificates of appreciation
to students.

Over 200 Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students will be rewarded for their academic successes on May 4 when they attend a Syracuse Chief’s baseball game.

The honorees earned gold or silver stars for the third quarter of the 2015-2016 school year. A gold star is awarded to students who achieve a quarterly average of 90.0 or higher with no incompletes or failing grades. Silver stars indicate students whose quarterly averages are between 85.0 and 89.99 with no incompletes or failing grades.

The following fifth-graders received a gold star: Kathryn AuClair, Chase Bacon, Isaiah Bergman, Allenmichael Borasky, Grayson Brady, Elisabeth Caltabiano, Courtney Carter, Reghan Conley, Dominic Croteau, Blake Duncan, Emily Dunn-Hulett, Hayley Dygert, Mark Eusepi Jr., Michael Farrar, Madison Fatcheric, Robert Finch Jr.,  Evan Fox, Damian Fratello, Zoe Gordon, Lindsey Goudy, Mia Graham, Kenidee Grover, Mallory Hess, Jason Hilton, Blake Hoyt, Mattie Hunt, Evan Isabell, Olivia Isabella, Alan Jacques, Conor Jones, Chase Kenner-Carbonaro, Morgan Lynch, Brooke McCann, John McDonald, Peyton Nichols, Tateum Patnode, Cody Perry, Logan Petrie, Lillianne Quinn, Hannah Reilley, Sheriden Southworth, Zoey Stone, Ryan Thompson, Alexander Whaley, Austin Wilder and Julianna Williams.

Fifth-grade silver star recipients are: Ashley Besaw, Ethan Bruno, Aiyannah Bukowski, Jonathon Burgess, Peyton Callahan, Liam Campanino, Solomon Campbell, Victoria Cerullo, Mackenzie Chetney, Meghan Clothier, Alexis Crandall, Milani Eldred, Shawn Froio, Chloe Harvey, Riley Huntley, Brandon Ingoldby, Dylan Jones, Camdyn LaPointe, Lillian Maty, Mikayla Maxam, James Morgan III, Edward Pitcher, Lillie Shaffer, Hope Smith, Douglas Stevens and Celia Tangorra.

Gold stars were awarded to the following sixth-grade students: Sarah Andrews, Landon Armstrong, Sarah Ashby, Virginia Bednarski, Alissa Bova, Adrianna Breckheimer, Gracie Britton, Conner Calkins, Thomas Checksfield, Kaitlyn Chesbro, Chloe Coughlin, Mary Crandall, Isaiah Gordon, Joseph Green, Madisen Guerrero, James Hagg II, Jonah Hawthorne, Bethany Hook, Alexandra Hopps, Alaina Hubbell, Tye Hughes, Jayde Jacobson, Autumn Kelly, Grace Landis, Nevaeh Lando, Maggie LaPine, Larissa MacDonald, Hannah McArthur, Grace McDonald, Erick Moreira, Jacob Neupert, Gabriella Payne, Carter Pinkley, Katelyn Pyzdrowski, Kelsey Redhead, Ariana Richway, Kylie Russo, Daniel Stellingwerf, Sean Stevens and Chastity Thomas.

Silver star honors were awarded to sixth-graders, including: Noah Bartholomew, Stephen Beal, Masson Bell, Zackery Bennett, Mathew Bernard, Skyla Brown, Ian Burgett, Jake Charleston, Jared Charleston, Johnathan Dion, Matthew Files, Dominic Germain, Mariah Gilligan, Nicholas Hanson, Zackary Hunter, Shane Jacobson, Willyam Jolly, Karson Kimball, Cody McFall, Max Morgan, Brady Munger, Weston Murphy, McKenna Neiss, Carson Newvine, Curtis Pitcher, Hanadi Sardo, Jacob Smallman, Taylor Smith, Olivia Snyder, Gaven Sutter, Ella Tangorra and John Wallace.

Seventh-graders who received a gold star are: Isabella Allen, Shay Altman, Emily Babbitt, Amaya Baker, Sara Brunell, Chloe Calkins, Hannah Charleston, Emma Clark, Tabitha Clark, Sophia Crandall, Brielle DeRoberts, Hailey Fredericks, Francesca Goodell, Noah Gordon, Cierra Harvey, Mattison Hess, Alivia Lamphere, Miranda LaRobardiere, Jock Li, Megan Lytle, Owen Lytle, Zack Mills, Robert Minard, Garret Morrissiey, Andrew Quinn, Tyler Redhead, Lily Roberts, William Semanchuk-Enser, Aiden Southworth, Nathaniel Sutter, Liam Sweeney, Corinne Thibault, Zoie Tracy, Sophia Trinca, Aidan Trumble, Thomas Uhl and Michael VanAuken Jr. and Mason Watkins.

Seventh-grade silver star recipients are: Gracie Altman, Nicholas Bartlett, Ashleigh Besaw, Natalie Brown, Kelsie Burgess, Alexander Coons, Hailie Dailey, Alicia Durst, Alivia Eusepi, Ethan Fox, Zachary Green, Katherine Holbrook, Braden Jolly, Amanda Justian, Nathan Kosakowski, Patricia Lamach, Nathan McCarthy, Samantha McLoughlin, Alex Olschewske, Imari Piscitelli, Keaton Renfrew, Connor Roberts, Brett Sears. Jacob Smith, Benjamin Thibault, Melody Trask and Ashlyn Wallace.

The following eighth-graders received gold stars: Violet Ameele, Grace Arnold, Jadan Bruno, Danielle Case, Cheyenne Cook, Jacob Cooper, Jeffrey Cooper, Michael Dion, Elisabeth Dona, Darren Fischel, Caitlin George, Hailey Goudy, Allison Grabowski,  Samantha Harrison, Keera Hazen, Carly Ingerson, Madison Kalt, Katelyn Kenner-Carbonaro, Jena Klimaszewski, Brigid Lawless, Tina Li, Chloe Lytle, Abigail Meaker, Caitlyn Mitchell, Joseph Murphy, Savannah Neupert, Kelise Newby, Keva Newby, Skyler Patnode, Taylor Petrie, Ethan Remington, Leah Schlachter, Jacob St. Laurent, Tamika Stobart, Sarah Thorn, Teresa Uhl, Madison VanAuken and Grace Vestigo.

Eighth-graders who were awarded silver stars are: Emma Allers, Riley Belknap, Mason Bresett, Conner Cole, Camron Fordyce, Leah Green, Samuel Guthrie, Cassadee Handville, Trish Harris, Brianna Horn, Paige Isabell, Laila Jones, Zaya Koegel, Timothy Lando III, Julianna Lewis, Amaya Malambri, Christian McKay, Alexandria Mills, Brooke Palmer, Love Phillips, Aubrianna Renfrew, Vanessa Rivera, Ayden Slack, Nicole Tulowiecki, Nicholas Vaverchak, Madison Watkins and Seth Watkins.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary fourth-grade students recently performed their last elementary concert at the school.

The sharply-dressed students brought their confidence and smiles to the “What a Wonderful World”-themed spring concert, which was held in the intermediate cafeteria and gymnasium. The event featured 25 speakers who read short poems in between the following songs: the Phoenix Alma Mater, “Spring Thing,” “Cherry Blossoms,” “Whale Song,” “Agents of Change” and “Our Earth, Our Home.” “What a Wonderful World” lyrics were printed in the concert program, providing an opportunity for the 150-200 guests to sing along.

Principal Brett Doody commended the students for their hard work and commitment to the arts. Directors Carol Van Gorder and Jody Lentz also recognized the students for supplying artwork, which was featured on walls throughout the concert space.

Fourth-graders at Michael A. Maroun Elementary School perform the song “Spring Thing” during the
annual Fourth-Grade Spring Concert, which was directed by Carol Van Gorder, bottom left, and Jody
Lentz, bottom right.

Emerson J. Dillon students recently celebrated a culmination of character education with a Spirit Day Assembly at Phoenix Central School District.  

Students dressed in selected colors depending on their grade level and participated in a variety of team-building games and challenges throughout the day, including a real-life version of foosball; pool noodles were connected together with duct tape and the kids had to maneuver the ball without letting go. The winning student team competed against teachers.

Teachers also participated in the fun during a real-life “Hungry, Hungry Hippos” competition, where one teacher would slide across the gym floor on wheels using a bucket to grab as many tennis and ping pong balls as possible, while another teacher held the rope to reel them back in.

The Spirit Assembly not only promoted school spirit and character education, but also instilled a sense of teamwork among the students. 

To see more pictures from the event, visit the PCSD Facebook Page. 

EJD student council members give a thumbs up for school spirit.

The yellow team expresses excitement over a victory at the Dillon Spirit Assembly.

Phoenix Central School District students recently displayed their musical talents at a “Musical Desserts” night held at John C. Birdlebough (JCB) High School.

As the students performed various vocal and instrumental pieces, audience members enjoyed an array of delightful treats that were also served to them by the students.  

JCB students Catherine Barnhart and Danielle Merrill emceed in between the evening’s performance roster with humor and laughter. Among many acts were Garrett Frink with a ukulele solo of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” the Chamber Singer Boys with a vocal ensemble of “The Rocky Road to Dublin” and Olivia Ripley with a vocal solo of “Black Swan.”

Perhaps the most entertaining act of the evening was that of Derick White, Abby Venskus and Brian Breen who performed a melodica trio to the “Star Wars” theme. The melodica is a free-reed instrument that has a musical keyboard on top and is played by blowing air through the mouthpiece that fits into a hole on the side of the instrument.

The cabaret-style setting in the school’s cafeteria made for a cozy evening of talent and laughs enjoyed by all. 

The Chamber Singer Boys from Phoenix Central School District perform “The Rocky Road to Dublin” at a recent “Musical Desserts” night.

Brian Breen and Abby Venskus play the melodica instrument to the “Star Wars”  theme. Also a part of the trio was Derick White.

Student volunteerism, citizenship and community spirit were celebrated during the annual President’s Youth Service Awards ceremony held in the John C. Birdlebough High School cafeteria.

The event honored 29 Phoenix Central School District students who combined for more than 12,000 of community service. The honorees amassed volunteer hours helping at the local food pantry, coaching youth sports, participating in community cleanup efforts, and spending time serving local nonprofit agencies and organizations.

“You have spent countless hours volunteering, and you have performed valuable services – all for no pay,” said PCSD Superintendent Judy Belfield as she thanked the students for their contributions. “The Phoenix Central School District is very proud of you.”

In addition to earning recognition from school administrators, several elected officials were also on hand to congratulate the award recipients. Assemblyman Will Barclay applauded the students for their efforts and challenged them to continue on the path to success.

“You are the future of our community,” Barclay said. “Keep up the great work because we’re going to need you in the future.”

High school Principal Greg Molloy echoed those sentiments as he announced each award recipient and praised the students for their impact on the community and beyond. He noted that a person is “an image, or an average of the five people you spend the most time with,” which he said was evident by looking at the group of students in the room.

“You make my life complete,” Molloy said before presenting plaques to the awardees.

Silver Awards were given to the following students for completing at least 300 volunteer hours: Nicholas Bernard, Alexis Bowering, Thomas Dion, Kaitlyn Greer, Nicole Hetko, Jordan Jock, Shianne Just, Cody Lawson, Ryan Luke, Christopher Nicolella, Emily Riddell, Lauren Thoryk, Alexa Uttamsingh and Ryan Virkler. Gold Awards (500 service hours) were presented to Kea Corey, Alexis Gabriele, Jonathan George, Jessica Jones, Meghan Lees, Evan Logee, William Lord, Joshua Margrey, Noah Neverette, Carolanne Switzer and Derick White. Gold Medallion Awards (1,000 or more service hours) went to A.C. Bowman III and Zachary VanGorder.

After presenting plaques to the Silver, Gold and Gold Medallion winners, Molloy congratulated Tyler Gabriele and Sarah Hoag as the Youths of the Year. The pair serve as role models to their peers, Molloy said, noting that both are hard-working, self-motivated and eager to make a difference.

A schoolwide collaboration in the Phoenix Central School District has taken flight, as the Junior Firebird Theater Troupe prepares to present “What Happened After Once Upon a Time.”

The partnership, sponsored by the Phoenix Chorus & Drama Boosters, pairs high school-age volunteer acting coaches with elementary school student actors. The older students work with the youngsters to instill confidence, develop stage presence, and teach the importance of teamwork throughout the process.

According to student director Meghan Lees, a senior at John C. Birdlebough High School, volunteering with the elementary student actors has been a rewarding experience.

“It’s really awesome to see them come out of their shells and really develop their characters,” Lees said. “They are being introduced to music and the arts at a young age, and this is a great way for them to grow a love for theater. They are making friends that they will have for life.”

Lees is among several high school volunteers working with the 24 student actors. The troupe rehearses after school in the Michael A. Maroun Elementary School intermediate cafeteria.

“You couldn’t ask for a better group of kids,” Lees said. “They have learned their lines quickly and I can’t wait to see everything come together on the night of the show.”

The culmination of their hard work will be at 7 p.m. May 18, when “What Happened After Once Upon a Time” takes the stage in the intermediate cafeteria.

John C. Birdlebough (JCB) students attended the 57^th Annual Oswego State Drama Festival on May 3, where they had the opportunity to give a theatrical performance in front of their peers as well as participate in numerous theatrical workshops throughout the day.

The audience raved for Phoenix’s performance of “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind” by Greg Allen. The cast members included: Joe Brennan, Ned Greenough, Kaitlyn McArthur, Allison Strang, Abigail Venskus, Evan Logee, Alexis Bowering, Declan Hawthorne, Danielle Merrill, Josh Van Gorder, Derick White, Meghan Lees, Hannah Grabowski, Mason Lange, Olivia Ripley, Zack Van Gorder, Samantha Zerbinos and Catherin Barnhart. The crew members were Daniel Braun, Gabby Brown and Garrett Frink. The theatre group was directed by faculty advisors Brian Logee and Lisa Spereno.

Not only did the students have the opportunity to perform in front of their peers from other schools, but they also got the chance to work with SUNY Oswego theater guides and technicians. In addition, they were able to participate in a multitude of theatrical workshops throughout the day including scene painting techniques, storytelling, musical theatre choreography, audio tech, improvisation and more.

Other schools who participated in the event included Auburn, John C. Birdlebough, Oswego City, Camden, Mynderse Academy and Red Creek.

Phoenix students attend the 57th Annual Oswego State Drama Festival.

Phoenix students perform a scene from “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind” by Greg Allen.

As prom and graduation season approaches, John C. Birdlebough High School juniors and seniors were recently reminded by school staff members and local law enforcement agencies to make safe, smart decisions as drivers and passengers.

Students participated in an awareness campaign in the school’s parking lot where they utilized goggles that simulated alcohol and marijuana impairment during a variety of activities. Students were tasked with playing catch, driving pedal cars and walking. Junior Jessica Haresign said she struggled to walk a straight line while wearing marijuana impairment goggles and Senior Marrisa Ellis had difficulty avoiding cones during a pedal car course.

Robert J. Lighthall, Oswego County STOP-DWI Program Coordinator, said schools often promote impairment awareness campaigns throughout May and June because of proms and graduation ceremonies. In years past, Lighthall helped coordinate a mock DWI crash at the high school. Both initiatives have the same sobering message: don’t drink or drug and drive.

Jessica Haresign, JCB junior, attempts to walk a straight line while wearing marijuana impairment goggles during an impairment awareness exercise at the school.