Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 29, 1994 TAG: 9403290154
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Melissa DeVaughn
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The opera is about two siblings who have moved and had to leave their best friends at home, said Principal Charlotte McKee. "The theme is about relationships with other people and how those relationships change you," she said.
Margaret Beeks is one of only five schools in the state participating in the Opera program, which is sponsored nationally by the Metropolitan Opera Guild. So far, the script and music have been completed and other committees are hard at work on costumes and set designs. Some of the stage hands are even learning about electricity and carpentry by building and lighting the stage for their production.
This group of fifth-graders hopes to be ready to perform their original opera May 2 at 7:30 p.m. and other shows will follow.
"They're doing a wonderful job and every year it's different," McKee said of the program which is in its fourth year. "Each year, the kids get more willing to experiment with their creativity."
Clarity James, a music professor and mezzo-soprano from Radford University, is doing her part, too, to make the word ``opera'' more commonplace to students.
She is sponsoring an ``Opera Workshop'' April 5 at 8 p.m. at Preston Auditorium to help students learn more about the opera and how to improve their singing skills. The workshop will include ``The Telephone,'' a one-act opera, and scenes from five other operas. The cast of the workshop will visit Bethel, Riverlawn, Critzer and Draper elementary schools in April and May to show what they have learned.
Tickets for James' workshop are $3 for the public, free for Radford University students. For further information, call Jeanne Johnson Dudziak at 831-5324.
High school STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES who want to enroll in any Virginia community college or university should plan to attend the free College Day activities Saturday at Squires Student Center on the Virginia Tech campus.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and feature representatives from community colleges, universities and various supporting agencies. Perhaps the best part, is that students with disabilities who are enrolled in college will be on hand to talk about what it's like to be on their own at a big college.
For more information on the College Day activities, call 674-3600, Ext. 358.
The BLACKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS will perform "Rock the Jukebox," featuring music from the 40s, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. The event is free. For further information, call the school at 951-5716.
As construction of the NEW BLACKSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL nears completion, it is time to start thinking about giving the building a name. The Montgomery County School Board has decided to allow Parent-Teacher Association representatives, fifth-grade students and community members to submit nominations to a school naming committee, which will choose two of the names. The School Board will make the final decision. Individuals and community members who would like to submit ideas, must do so by April 1. Send all suggestions to School Naming Committee, Gilbert Linkous Elementary School, 813 Toms Creek Road, Blacksburg, Va., 24060.
The Narrows Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association is sponsoring MYSTICAL MAGICAL MERMAN April 8 at 7 p.m. at Narrows High School. Tickets for the event will be on sale at the door. Adult tickets are $4; students, $3.
For further information, call 726-3357.
In a recent ceremony held at Prices Fork Elementary School, the school gave its first Community Service Award to LOU HERRMANN, a member of the Montgomery County School Board. Herrmann has been a member of the board for five years, and is a big supporter of the value of arts in education.
Herrmann and her husband live near Prices Fork Elementary School and they have a granddaughter who attends Prices Fork.
Giles County has a new school called JEFFERSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, and applications are being accepted at the school for the upcoming fall semester. Grades kindergarten through five will be taught, with additional grades being added each year.
Jefferson Christian Academy is located at Riverview Baptist Church, and offers educational programs with an emphasis on strong parental involvement. For further information on the new school, call 626-5222.
A senior at Blacksburg High School recently received the 1994 Dean's Merit Scholarship presented by the Corcoran School of Arts. JUSTIN LIMOGES will pursue a bachelor of fine arts from the Washington, D.C., school next year. The scholarship will cover $2,500 of Justin's tuition. He is the son of Ron and Alison Limoges of Blacksburg.
This week's featured high school is CHRISTIANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL. Here's what's happening there:
Marketing and fashion merchandising students recently gained first-hand experience working at Claire's Boutique at the New River Valley Mall. The students helped with an inventory count and recorded the merchandise kept at the Women's Accessories Shop.
The District Distributive Education Clubs of America competition was held in Roanoke recently and several students placed at the event. They are: Tra Hawley, first place, communications; Tanya Snider, second place, selling; Kristen Simmons, first place, selling. Other winners were Jessica Tickle, Nikki Martin, Mike Scott, Lisa Barber, Michelle Irvine, Charles DiRico, Davina Irvin and Farrah Royal.
Overall winners Lisa Barber, Tra Hawley, Kristen Simmons, Farrah Royal and Jessica Tickle went to the State Conference, where Barber placed first in a written teat. Hawley took first in communications and the two will travel to the national competition in Detroit. Donations are needed for their trip. Call the school at 382-5178 for more information.
Jared Espley, son of John and Cathy Espley, has been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. He is one of .5 percent of high school seniors to receive this honor.
The drama department recently finished auditions for the spring musical ``You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.'' Those who will be in the play are Dan Gardner, Deanna duPlessis, Monica Shelor, Alison Flora, Matthew Gardner and Brandon Miller. Also, a 11-member chorus will perform in the play, which will be held April 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., and April 24 at 3 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets will be $3.
Todd Jennings, Andra Beasley and Matthew Lucas were selected to attend Boy's State at Liberty University in June. Kelly Bucy, Leslie Cosgriff and Stacie Swain were selected to attend Girl's State at Longwood College.
The high school chorus recently participated in the All-County Chorus held at Shawsville High and Middle School. The chorus director, Charlotte Smith, sent 51 students, the largest representation ever, to the event.
Dede Stone, marketing coordinator at the high school, recently became a certified instructor in a program called Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of Alcohol. The program teaches servers of alcohol how to avoid allowing a person to get too drunk or promote responsible drinking. Stone is certified to offer the class to interested businesses that serve alcohol.
If you have an interesting school-related item for the paper, send it to Melissa DeVaughn at the Roanoke Times & World News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va., 24073-0540.
by CNB