Band earns top state honors

 

Although they didn’t perform till 9:45 p.m., the Alliance High School Concert Band earned a Superior rating in the Ohio Music Education Association Large Group Event at GlenOak High School on May 4.

The band qualified for the state competition by earning a Superior rating at a large-group event at Lake High School in March.

“This is the first time I have had a group even qualify for state, let alone earn the top rating,” said Band Director Shaun Fontaine.

“It is very thrilling and I am extremely proud of each student,” he said. “This rating is a direct result of the commitment of the students, band staff and the administration of Alliance City Schools.”   

After qualifying for the state competition, the band was given two months to prepare three pieces of music.  These three pieces were performed in front of an audience and three OMEA adjudicators.

Following the performance, band members were ushered to a separate room where they had to sight read a new, unpublished piece of music. They were given four minutes to study it in silence, followed by four minutes of talking about the piece with their director.

With no rehearsal, the band performed the piece. An adjudicator then addressed the group to let them know what they did well and what they need to work on.

Then, the scores from all four adjudicators were tallied into a composite score. The band received two Superior and two Excellent ratings for a composite rating of Superior.

"I am extremely proud of our band students and of Mr. Fontaine for this outstanding achievement,” said Principal Shawn Jackson, who attended the event. “They work hard in class on a daily basis and were deserving of a superior rating at the state competition."

Band members celebrated their achievement in style at the Band Dinner Dance held the next evening at the high school. The theme was “The Roaring Twenties” and Breanne Davis and Will Prince were crowned king and queen.

For more information about the state competition, including photos, contact Mr. Fontaine at (330) 829-1234 Ext. 2267, or send an email to fontainesh@alliancecityschools.org.

Success at state science fair

 

Five Alliance High students competed in the Ohio Academy of Science’s State Science Day at The Ohio State University on May 5. All earned high ratings.

Juniors Alyssa Ward and Malcolm Collins-Sibley earned a Superior rating for “Mixin’ It Up,” a project that tested various mixtures of concrete for strength and stability.

Sophomore Michael Unckrich’s project, “BESR vs. BBCOR: The Best Bat for Hitting” was inspired by changes in Ohio High School Athletic Association rules governing baseball bats.  His project received a Superior rating.

Sophomore Brenden Lipely received an Excellent rating for “The Effects of Texting on Finger Dexterity.”  He compared the results of dexterity tests between habitual texters and those who text only rarely.

Freshman Bethany Cox’s project was titled “Can Biochar Increase the Growth of Soybean Plants and Improve the Macronutrient Runoff in the Water?”  She received the Ohio Soybean Bioscience Award following the district science fair, and a Superior rating at the state fair.  

“They all did very well,” said science teacher Ms. Nancy Holub. “They all had a good experience and came back with good ratings.”

“This was a very successful year at all levels,” she said, adding that an unusually high number of students did science projects this year, in part because Ms. Deirdre Dick required them of her Chemistry and Physics students.

A total of 27 AHS students competed in the District 13 Science Fair at the University of Mount Union on March 31. Of those, 12 received Superior ratings for their projects.

Holub noted that two other teams and three other individuals qualified for the state competition but did not make the trip to Columbus because of conflicts with other events.

“This year, we had more kids compete at the high school, district, and state levels than I can ever remember,” said Principal Shawn Jackson. “This is a direct reflection of the hard work done by our outstanding teachers and students.”

 

Cosmetology seniors pass exam

All 12 senior cosmetology students passed their state licensure exams in Columbus recently.

This makes the eleventh straight year that 100 percent of the Alliance High cosmetology class passed the exam, and the fourth year for senior cosmetology instructor Ms. Lisa Scanlon.  Ms. Connie Logozzo is the junior instructor.

Showing off their certifications are (first row) Alexandra Mullet, Lindsey Young, Kailey Flaker (second row) Payge Percy, Desiree’ Dickson, Emily Hofius (third row) 

Rheanna Nicholson, Cindy Wagner, Kayla Minard, Kassie Heslep, Megan Ault and Lindsey Naugle.

 

Please note that, as of March 1, 2011, requests for transcripts for all but current year seniors will be processed for a fee of $3.00 per transcript. We have taken this step as a cost-cutting measure. Those wishing to obtain a transcript must either come into the High School guidance office in person or request the transcript in writing and include
the $3.00 fee. Thank you.