FHUHS Administration

I am proud to start this week’s newsletter with a brief biography on Fair Haven Union High School’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2008.

The Valedictorian of the FHU Class of 2008 is Reggie Schulman, son of Dr. Eli Schulman and Professor Ruth Liberman. Reggie has been a member of the FHU Student Council for the past four years; he was Student Council vice-president in his junior year; and he is presently the Student Council representative to the School Board. Currently he is vice president of the National Honor Society. Reggie has been a member of the FHU band and chess club for four years, has been a DUO student, and has participated in Scholar’s Bowl and the State Science Fair. Much of Reggie’s extra-curricular activities involve music, specifically playing the clarinet. He is currently the principal clarinetist for the Lakes Region Youth Orchestra. When not in school, Reggie enjoys kayaking, cross-country skiing, talking with friends via facebook, reading, and the company of his dogs.

The Salutatorian of the FHU Class of 2008 is Nicholas Montello, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Montello in Orwell. Nick has been a member of the indoor and outdoor track team all four years and the x-country team his junior and senior year. Nick earned the Vermont 2008 Outstanding Male Track Athlete of the Year Award after the indoor track and field season. He was inducted into the National Honor Society his junior year. Nick also plays the trumpet and participates in the pep band and Fair Haven Union High School band.

There will be a Fair Haven Archery League organizational meeting held on April 2nd, at 7 p.m., in the Fair Haven Grade School cafeteria. For more information, please call Ron Adams at 265-4586.

On Wednesday, March 26, 2008, Kathy Bergeron, a high school representative from The Arts Institutes, visited Mrs. Baccei’s and Mrs. Ransom’s Computer Application and Keyboarding classes. She gave a wonderful presentation regarding the latest programs this College has to offer which include both Associate and Bachelors Degrees in Computer Technology, Graphic Design, Animation, Fashion Design and Industrial Design. If you would like any additional information regarding The Arts Institute please check online http://www.artinstitutes.edu.

Ms. Beth Carini’s World Geography classes have been studying the various European countries. They are currently in the process of completing their final assignment. The students have split into groups of two or three and researched a country in Europe. After completing their research, they created episodes for a television program titled “Passport to Europe”. The students wrote scripts and created the puppets and backgrounds to present their findings to their classmates.

The FHU Jazz Band played to the four lunches in the FHUHS cafeteria, Thursday, the 27th, as they warmed up for the Paramount Jazz Fest on Tuesday, April 1st. The FHUHS Jazz Band will take the stage at the Paramount Jazz Fest in Rutland around 5:10 p.m. on April 1st. The Concert begins at 4:30 and runs till 7:40. Fans of great music should come out and cheer the FHUHS Jazz Band on.

The FHUHS Concert Band will be performing in the Vermont Music Educator Association Large Ensemble Festival at Springfield, VT, on April 2nd. They will perform for other VT high school bands and three college professors, who will critique the band and then perform a half-hour work- shop with the band. It is always exciting to hear the other bands and a powerfully educational event for the FHUHS students.

National Honor Society

Last Thursday night in the FHU Band Room, fourteen students were inducted into the Matthew Lyon Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). Mr. Michael Bruce, NHS Advisor, organized a wonderful ceremony centered on last year’s inductees speaking eloquently of the achievements of the current class. If you see them this week, please congratulate them on their accomplishment.

2008 NHS Inductees:

1. Alyssa Ballantine
2. Krista Bird
3. Matthew Brown
4. John Durfee Jr.
5. Daniel Ellis
6. Shannon Ellis
7. Hannah Korda
8. Andrew Laramie
9. Nolan Link
10. Allison Mancuso
11. Vincent Montello
12. Caitlin Morris
13. Jon Murray
14. Jake Schneider

The final cabinets in the Family Consumer Science rooms have been installed. Joe Watkins did a fabulous job on making them durable and attractive. These cabinets were a long-term project to replace the 1973 metal ones that were in need of wholesale work.

Our Student Council, which has been active and of great assistance all year, has organized their major activities for the remainder of the year. The highlights are:

• March 29th – Talent Show
• March May – Blood Drive, Trip to Burlington to meet with Mayor and Senator Sanders
• March May 5 – 9 -Teacher Appreciation Week
• March May 9 – Class Elections
• March May 13 – Bone Marrow Drive 2:00 – 6:30 p.m.
• March May 13 – 8th grade Open House 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• March June 5 – “Y” Day (yearbooks distributed)

On Tuesday April 8, 2008, at 6:30 p.m., Fair Haven Union High School Project Graduation will host a benefit basketball game at the high school gym. This game features a local team assembled to face off against the famed Harlem Rockets. Profits from this fundraising event will be used towards hosting the Fair Haven High School’s Senior class Project Graduation event to be held the night of graduation. The official press release is below.

Leading the mighty Fair Haven team will be Principal Brett Blanchard and Athletic Director Eric Ramey from the high school. Coach Hannah Brown from the Fair Haven Graded School, and Tech Coordinator Jesse Kyhill from Castleton Village School, as well as 1-2 players to be named later, will help fill out this impressive roster. This Dream Team will also star senior members of the girl’s basketball team Becca Casey, Maegan Hutchins, and Kim Richards, as well senior members of the boy’s team Tyler Condit, Mike Godzik, Joel Hernandez, and Keith Schneider.

In 1993 the Harlem Rockets comedy basketball team was formed. The Rockets feature Ricky “7 Footer” Lopes, Greg “The Finisher” Wells, Kevin “Showboat” Jackson, Chris “Chicken” Turnquest, Avery “Slick” Stevenson, and Ron “The Rocket” Christy. To date the Rockets have played over 2400 games and remain undefeated over 14 years. And while some day the Harlem Rockets may lose, it is a certainty that each game will be a great basketball show complete with skills, comedy, entertainment, and incredible showmanship.

The Rockets are recognized as outstanding family entertainment and incorporate the audience, especially children, into the show. They are always available to meet with fans at half-time and after every game.

In addition to the game, players will visit local elementary schools during the day to deliver to students a positive message about education, goal setting, and avoiding the hazards of drugs and alcohol. Of course, no school visit is without its share of comedy and basketball skills demonstrations.

So come on out and enjoy a fun night for the whole family of comedy basketball. Advance tickets are $9 and can be purchased at either Beverage King in Castleton, or the Stewart’s Store in Fair Haven. Tickets will also be available at the door for $10.

Congratulations to Coach Heitkamp and his track and field athletes for completing their 24-hour running marathon in support of the completion of the FHU track. With the weather rough, but the participants tougher, over $4000 was donated to go along with the other contributions raised and organized by the Friends of FHU Track. Coach Heitkamp ran a full marathon during the fundraiser to put his body on the line for the benefit of our students. We hope for a speedy recovery after his tremendous effort.

I hope the week is a positive one,

Brett C. Blanchard, Fair Haven Union High School Principal