NFA
World
By Geoff Serra
Class of 2008, Coronation Class Superlatives: Nicest Personality: Katherine Carelbach and Nathan Wheeler; Class Scholars: Sana
Samnani and Matthew Talyosef; Class Dancers: Cami
Ferguson and Ruud
Erie; and Class Jesters: Elizabeth
Boxley and Miguel Colon.
A Wildcat high five to Lowers Matthew
Exley and Jeffrey Hessler, who tied for the highest score on the 9th and
10th grade test and to Senior Andrew Cardin, the high scorer on the 11th &
12th grade test in last month’s American Mathematics
Contests. Their names will be added to
the plaque hanging in Bradlaw which honors annual top scorers
NFAid comes to campus: A joint project of the Student Activity
Board, the Musicians Club, Youth Peace, and Amnesty International, NFAid, 6-10
p.m., April 4, in Norton Gym, is a fundraiser for the more than 2.5 million
victims of the genocide in Darfur.
Seven area bands will perform for local high school students and recent
NFA alumni. Tickets are $5 advanced
purchase; $8 at the door. Refreshments,
special t-shirts, and handmade recycled jewelry will also be for sale. All proceeds will be donated to Darfur Peace
and Development (DPADO.org); for more information contact Jodi Vara, 860-425-5643, or go to Project Outreach’s e-board on the NFA Website: Click on “Academics” tab and “Clubs and
Activities” link.
The General Foundation of Women's Clubs of Connecticut sponsored a
statewide art contest for high school seniors.
The Mystic Woman's Club invited NFA seniors to participate. Twenty-five NFA seniors submitted artwork
for the exhibition, March 16 in Southington, CT. Wildcat congratulations to first place Blue Ribbon Winners senior
Jessica
Lance (graphics) and upper Tiffany Roman (drawing); Red Ribbon 2nd
place winners were seniors John Banker (drawing), Rebecca
Hnatiuk (painting and graphics) Katherine
Hoyt (sculpture) and Robert Hughes (photography). Senior Kayla
Wainwright won a Yellow Ribbon for 3rd
place in drawing, and Honorable Mention went to senior Hannah Brown (photography), and upper Eric Murillo (graphics). A Wildcat bow of
appreciation to their teachers.
Class of 1999 alumnus Ian Pawluk returned to campus as First Prize winner
of the 65th Annual Connecticut Juried Exhibition March 26, 2008, to
speak to Norwich Art School art classes about his work and accomplishments.
Pawluk, currently an Associate Instructor at the Univ. of Mass. and an Adjunct
Professor at Three Rivers Community College, received his B.F.A. from the
University of Connecticut and his M.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts.
Since 2003, he has run PAWLUK PHOTOGRAPHY, specializing
in weddings, events, fine art and
documentation. The 65th
Annual Connecticut Artists’ Exhibit runs
April 3rd, Tues. – Fri., 9
a.m. – 4 p.m. and weekends 1-4 p.m. Converse Art Gallery.
“AIM lets kids express their
talent,” says enthusiastic ninth grader Shelby Chiangi, who performed on piano and in dance in the extravaganza AIM (Artists in Motion) on the evenings of April 26 and 27. Combining diversity and culture, Gwen Martins and her dance students brought to the Slater stage a collaboration of
poets, singers, musicians, artists, actors, and dancers. In addition to entertaining large audiences
both nights, AIM exhibited the students’ discipline, motivation, creativity and
most of all self-respect. A portion of
the proceeds is donated to the Womens Center of Southeastern CT.
NFA’s Spring
Vocal Concert will take place April 1, 7p.m, Slater
Auditorium. Vocal instructor Eileen
Lenehan’s three choral ensembles of about 40 students will
perform for the public free of charge.
The program promises to take the audience on a melodious ride to
Jamaica, Brazil, Germany, Ecuador, France, Spain, and other countries.
On April 2, 7p.m., Slater Auditorium will be the site for another free
musical performance featuring the Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Concert Band. The NFA Instrumental Music Department will
bring together about 100 students to present “War & Peace: Music about or in Times of War.” Pieces include Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland; Mars,
the Bringer of War by Gustav Holst; and Pacem (A Hymn for Peace) by
Robert Spittal.
As the city of Norwich prepares to celebrate its 350th
anniversary, Vivian Zoë, Director of Slater Museum, is
researching and writing a series of articles for Slater’s newsletter The
Muse. On March 25, Zoë gave the
first of a series of presentations about Norwich’s past celebrations to the
annual meeting of the Norwich Historical Society. Ms. Zoë informed and entertained a packed audience at the Rose
City Senior Center with a witty, humorous, and richly visual program. Look for the upcoming articles, which can be
accessed on the Website.
The Friends of Slater Museum are looking for a new member to serve on
their board. If interested, contact
Vivian Zoë, 860-425-5560, or send a message at “Contact Us” at www.slatermuseum.org.
The
Spring College Workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m., April
3. in the Ensemble Room of the Frank Center.
Especially designed for 10th and 11th grade
students and families beginning the college search, this workshop is open to
all NFA students and their families.
Wildcat Billboard:
For all regularly scheduled Varsity Athletic
events, consult the NFA Web site, Athletics tab, Schedule link.
Land Library Saturday Hours: 9 a.m. – 2p.m., April 5.
May 3, SAT
registration deadline is April 1.
Remember the wisdom of this ancient
Chinese proverb: “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”
See you next week
in NFA World….until then direct your comments or questions to
serrag@norwichfreeacademy.com
