[slide]The arts take center stage
By Michael Turton
Forget the recent spate of cloudy, dreary weather. There was a star-studded evening in Cold Spring on Tuesday May 17, 2011 as Haldane High School took a page from the award show playbook as it honored the school’s arts community at the first ever An Evening of Rising Stars. The evening was hosted by the Fine Arts Committee, with honors handed out to students in several categories: Visual Arts, Choral, Instrumental, Rock ‘N Roll & Song Writing, Creative Writing, Musical Theater, Drama and Behind the Scenes. Close to 60 students were nominated. Winners and nominees in each category received a Haldane STAR and certificate.
In his opening remarks, Superintendent Mark Villanti said “If we don’t feed the creative arts”¦we are not doing our job” and before presenting awards in the Visual Arts category School Board president Dave Merandy said “This evening has been a long time coming.” Villanti, Merandy and others were decked out in their tuxedos. Students, parents, teachers and administration were also “dressed to the nines.” A video featuring highlights from the year’s arts-related events included “home grown music” written and performed by Haldane musicians. Seniors Tess Dul and Chrissy Glorius acted as MCs. Hearty applause and spontaneous cheers greeted award recipients as they took the stage. It was a first time event and certainly a feel good event – one that will undoubtedly become an annual Haldane tradition.
And the 2010 -2011 Stars Go to”¦”¦
Behind the Scenes
Most Accomplished: Anna Ledwith and Thomas Geithner
Visual Arts
Most accomplished, male: Forrest Ryzi-Ryski
Other Nominees: Luke Harrold and Max Smith
Most accomplished, female: Katie Quattrocchi
Other Nominees: Bronwyn Sandoval and Mary Mechalakos
Emerging young artist: Tess Hansler
Other Nominees: Emma Jacoby, Samantha Heanue and Brigit O’Malley
Choral
Special recognition: All Eastern, Mary Mechalakos
Most accomplished: Tess Dul
Other Nominees: Elizabeth Richter, Mary Mechalakos and Jessica Gore
Most tenacious: Kiran Kalantri
Other Nominees: Michael Clemente, Simrin Gosal, Shauna Ricketts and Remi Smith
Emerging young artist, female: Kady Neill
Other Nominees: Brigit O’Malley, Sarah Warren and Shauna Ricketts
Emerging young artist, male: Tyler Mell
Other Nominee: Kiran Kalantri
Instrumental
Most accomplished, male: Zachary Landtroop
Other Nominees: Conor Austin, Sean Daly and Alex Schaefer
Most accomplished, female: Quinn Kohut
Other Nominees: Elizabeth Milner, Jacquelyn Ferguson and Elizabeth Richter
Emerging young artist, female: Miranda Thompson
Other Nominees: Brigit O’Malley, Molly Prins and Carolyn Schaefer
Emerging young artist, male: Patrick Junjulas
Other Nominees: Kieran Austin, Steven Casement and Jackson Lisotta
Rock ‘N Roll & Songwriting
Best lyricist: Matt Chason
Other Nominees: Lindy Labriola, Conner Austin, Jade Silverstein, Daisy Tacuri and Forrest Ryzi-Ryski
Musicianship: James Rubino
Other Nominees: Matt Chason, Ben Langer, Rich Vallejos and Tim Hughes
Creative Writing
Most accomplished, male: Nick Marino
Other Nominee: Forrest Ryzy-Ryski
Most accomplished, female: Elizabeth Bengal
Other Nominees: Christiana Glorius and Kelley Hyatt
Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Malachy Cleary as Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner
Nick Marino as Roderick Rodent in The Face on the Barroom Floor
Christian Perkins as Jack Goodheart in The Face on the Barroom Floor
Outstanding Actor in a Supportive Role in a Play
Jack Quigley as Banjo in The Man Who Came to Dinner
Nick Marino as Ernest Stanley in The Man Who Came to Dinner
Conor Austin as Little Gloria in The Face on the Barroom Floor
Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Jessica Gore as Lorraine Sheldon in The Man Who Came to Dinner
Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play
Mary Mechalakos as Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came to Dinner
Sarah Hershey as Harriet Stanley in The Man Who Came to Dinner
Christiana Glorius as Theda Swansong in The Face on the Barroom Floor
Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Nick Marino as the Baker in Into the Woods
Stephen McCann as Danny in Grease
Stephen McCann as Jack in Into the Woods
Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Matt Marino as Doody in Grease
Malachy Cleary as the Narrator in Into the Woods
Michael Clemente as the Wolf in Into the Woods
Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Mary Mechalakos as the Witch in Into the Woods
Elizabeth Richter as Sandy in Grease
Tess Dul as the baker’s wife in Into the WoodsOutstanding Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Caitriona Daly as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods
Kady Neill as Marty in Grease
Jessica Gore as Jan in Grease
Tess Dul as Frenchie in Grease
Fine Arts Committee
Seamus Carroll, Chairman, gordon Casement, Jean Cendali, Debbie Contini, Joe Curto, Amy Dul, Susan Kelly, Martha Mechalakos, Michael Mell, Dave Merandy, Gina Van Nosdall, Mark Villanti, Jennifer Wilson.
Photos by M. Turton
