Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 21, 1992 TAG: 9201210100
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
PUPILS LEARN ABOUT CULTURE OF APPALACHIANS
If you need to find Les Dotson, don't bother calling him at home. It's best to catch him at MARGARET BEEKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, where he has spent the last semester teaching pupils the history of Appalachian culture."It's kept me hopping because I'm dealing with a younger age group," said Dotson. "They know me as a storyteller, but I can't always tell them stories. So every time I come, I've been trying to tell them things on their level to keep their interest up. That's been the busy part."
And things won't slow down this semester, either. Dotson will continue to teach the kids oral traditions like witch tales and ballads, dance calling, Civil War history and the music from that period, and the black influence on music and songs.
In fact, Tom Bledsoe will play and sing traditional Appalachian songs for the pupils today. He is a traditional musician and storyteller from Scott County who works with Appalshop and Roadside Theater out of Whitesburg, Ky. Other people who will help out this semester include guitar maker Wayne Henderson and dance caller Becky Barlow.
"It tickles me how the younger types like these older songs," Dotson said. "With all the Nintendo in the world, they still like this. They are inquisitive and want to learn - that's the key."
Dotson's teachings are part of the Artist in Residency Program funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Coordinator Charlotte McKee said that so far the children are really enjoying the program.
"They've been really excited about the whole thing - we wish he [Dotson] could be here more," she said. "I hoped it would be exciting for the kids, but I didn't imagine they would be this excited . . . to this degree."
Even though the program will end in June, McKee believes the children will remember their experiences with Dotson and will gain a "genuine appreciation for Appalachian culture."
Michael Stratton, a junior at BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, has been accepted as a member of the Spirit of America Honor Marching Band Performing Tour of Europe. Michael and other band members chosen from across the nation will travel to Europe this summer and perform in Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Belgium. The band will give a special Fourth of July performance in Geneva, Switzerland.
"When I found out I was selected [for the band] I was quite happy," said Michael. "I will be going to a band camp in Georgia for a week to practice. Then we'll go to Europe from there."
Michael has been in marching bands since ninth grade. He plays the tuba in the Blacksburg High School Warrior Marching Band.
"It [the trip to Europe] will be a learning experience, not just for the music, but to speak the languages and learn about the different cultures," said Michael. "I take German in school and it will be interesting trying to communicate."
Michael has to pay for expenses on his own. Already, he has gotten a job to help save money for the trip in late June. He also has picked up odd jobs around the neighborhood. Anyone interested in sponsoring or helping Michael pay for the trip, please call him at 951-7894.
The Wal-Mart Foundation is offering a $1,000 COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP for college-bound students. The scholarship is one of 1,600 scholarships offered by the Arkansas-based retail chain. Recipients of the scholarship are chosen based on academic achievements, extra-curricular and work activities, and financial need.
Applications will be evaluated by area business and community leaders. Applications can be obtained at the guidance counselors' offices.
The CHRISTIANSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA will meet 7 p.m. Jan. 28. There will be seminars for parents and children on the following topics:
Transition to middle school, drug-free kids, the role parents play, parenting skills for the pre-adolescent, and family focus: newspapers for education at home.
For the kids, there will be a chemistry magic show.
For more information, call 381-0324.
A fourth-grade class at MARGARET BEEKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is currently creating its own opera. The original opera is being directed by Charlotte McKee and Libby Drapeau. Its name is "On Staff With An Opera Co."
There are writers, carpenters, set designers, stage managers, makeup artists, publicity directors, costume designers and a production manager.
The project is sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera Guild Education Department, the school PTA and Montgomery County Public Schools.
Stay tuned. The performance is set for late February or early March.
The following student art work has been selected in local competition to represent Montgomery County in the Virginia Youth Art Exhibit and the Virginia School Boards Association\ ANNUAL ART CONTEST:
Grades kindergarten through 5: Merrilee Myers, Belview Elementary School; Daniel Walker, Riner Elementary School.
Grades six through eight: Ezra Paulekas, Auburn High/Middle School; Jerry Bond, Christiansburg Middle School.
Grades nine through 12: Melody Wolfe, Christiansburg High School; Aaron Staengl, Auburn High/Middle School.
Those receiving honorable mention include: Jason Gabris, Christiansburg High School; Christopher Simpkins, Christiansburg Elementary School; Bruce Reynolds, Christiansburg Middle School.
\ GILBERT LINKOUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL will present a variety show Thursday at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders will play music, sing, dance and perform skits.
If you have an interesting news item from your school, write to Melissa DeVaughn at P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073.