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Drama Club Presents 'The Wizard of Oz'
One word comes to mind when members of the Waterloo Drama Club discuss “The Wizard of Oz.”
Classic.
CLICK HERE to see photos from dress rehearsal
Most everyone has seen the 1939 film, which was adapted from the children’s fantasy novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a few new twists when the Waterloo Drama Club presents its version at the Waterloo High School Auditorium this weekend. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 17 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 18. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for students and can be purchased at https://whsdramaclub.ludus.com or at the door.
“The biggest challenge is that people have expectations and I have expectations,” said Joel Touranjoe, the show’s director. “Generally, your expectations are much higher, so the challenge is meeting your expectations and surprising the audience. I think this musical is going to surprise the audience because it is funny. It’s ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and it’s fun.”
Touranjoe, who teaches vocal music at Waterloo High School, admits that he wanted to “make a splash” as a first-time director, but also chose ‘The Wizard of Oz’ because it was a good fit for the members of Drama Club and the show contains valuable messages.
“Each character represents a certain value,” Touranjoe said. “Lion represents courage in the face of danger, Tinman represents love in the face of hardship, Scarecrow represents intelligence in the face of uncertainty and Dorothy represents all three. The trio helps her through the Land of Oz, her own subconscious creation, and she needs to rely on all three to get back home.”
Senior Aryanna Mateo plays Dorothy and admits that her role comes with a bit of added responsibility.
“I grew up with ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and it’s really fun to study and perform because it is a classic,” Aryanna said. “I think that it is important to include a lot of Judy Garland’s bits and pieces to Dorothy, along with mixing in some of my own.”
Other cast members will try to do the same with their parts.
Sophomore Bergren Aunkst-Park plays the Cowardly Lion, along with farmhand Zeke, and is looking forward to the challenge.
“It going to be a fun character to play because the way he acts in the show is nothing like the way that I portray myself in real life, so that’s fun,” Bergren said.
Hudson Grillone says he felt an immediate connection with his part.
“We’re matching characters,” said Hudson, who is in eighth grade and plays Scarecrow and Hunk. “He was my favorite character and that is why I wanted to play him. He was the funny guy and I can be funny. I am also very loose on stage and that helps me with this character.”
Sophomore Tarynn Tam is stepping into a larger role and playing Aunt Em.
“I appreciate how much she cares about Dorothy and how she tries to do what she thinks is best for everyone,” Tarynn said.
Other prominent roles are being played by: Lily Mager (Glinda), Mason O’Connell (Tinman/Hickory), Noelle Gillotti (Wicked Witch of the West), Megan Hall (Almira Gulch), Knowlton Brown (Marvel/The Wizard of Oz), Simone Gillotti (Emerald City Guard), Jacob Griffiths (Uncle Henry), Jonah Williams (Winkie General), Haylee Albro (Nikko) and Mia Arar (Jitterbug).
“The majority of the seniors have been doing productions together since sixth grade, so we have grown up together,” Aryanna said. “It’s very bittersweet. This is my first lead role and having it in my last musical in high school is special to me.”
That special feeling isn’t limited to those preparing to perform their final musical at Waterloo.
“It’s definitely a huge family,” Tarynn said. “Hudson and Mason feel like my little brothers and all of the seniors feel like my older sisters.”
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Two Waterloo Musicians Selected For Macy's Great American Marching Band
Two Waterloo High School juniors have plans to spend Thanksgiving in New York City.
Marina Lyon and Jae Wu have both been selected to participate in the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as members of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
Marina, who was accepted on alto saxophone, and Jae, on piccolo, had a similar reaction upon receiving their acceptance emails.
“I cried,” said Marina, who was sledding when her phone buzzed with the news.
“I cried and I was shaking,” said Jae, who has been planning to audition for more than a year.
The Macy’s Great American Marching Band was started in 2006 and includes 185 high school musicians and about 40 flags and dancers from across the United States.
Auditions for the band opened on Jan. 15 and Marina and Jae, being new applicants, were required to submit a video that showed them performing a Grade III-V solo of at least three minutes as well a video demonstrating marching fundamentals.
Marina estimates that she spent 150 hours preparing for her audition. Waterloo High School Band Director Ryan McKenna helped both students prepare by videotaping outdoor marching auditions. Additionally impressive is that both students are performing secondary instruments as Marina’s main instrument is clarinet and Jae’s is flute.
“I am extremely proud,” McKenna said. “Having the opportunity to work with students like Marina and Jae is why I am here every day.”
Band members will leave their hotel at 3:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning for an early morning run through for the NBC cameras. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and attracts about 3 million spectators and a worldwide television audience of 50 million each year.
Band members return to their hotel after the parade for Thanksgiving dinner and a dance.
Jae and Marina each marched in the 2019 Veterans Day Parade in New York City and are looking forward to returning to the Big Apple for a week that includes music, sightseeing and fun.
“I am really excited,” Marina said.
“We have been planning it out together,” Jae said.
Both benefitted from advice from Waterloo graduate Kim Fish, who participated in the 2019 parade.
“I am elated,” said Waterloo Music Department Chair Vivian Becker. “This is a great opportunity and I am super excited for them.”
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Students Recognized For Art, Writing
Four Waterloo High School students recently received recognition from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Lily Linehan was honored in three categories, receiving Silver Keys for her Mixed Media creations “Venus” and “Rebirth” and an Honorable Mention for her “Picture Day,” in the Drawing & Illustration category.
Makenna Huling received a Silver Key in the Drawing & Illustration category for “Pride.”
Lynne Wolff received an Honorable Mention for “Mind Visual” in the Drawing & Illustrations category.
Violet Enslow was honored with an Honorable Mention for her Short Story “What’s Your Emergency?”
The students are instructed by Ms. Dana Brabant, Ms. Sarah Carey and Ms. Moriah Spencer.
The Scholastic Art Awards & Writing program is the nation’s most prestigious award program for teens in the fine arts. Alfred University serves as our region’s affiliate college and members of Alfred’s faculty, staff and graduate program judged the work. Alfred also hosted a reception and awards ceremony for the winning students on Feb. 25. Makenna and Lily attended the event.
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Waterloo High School announces Students of the Quarter
Waterloo High School is proud to announce its Students of the Quarter for the second quarter of the 2022-23 School Year.
Students of the Quarter are selected from forms submitted by the faculty and verified by a committee. The criteria are citizenship, effort, improvement, and/or outstanding recognition.
The Waterloo Rotary Club is acknowledging the Students of the Quarter with a gift card to a local business The students selected also receive a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card from the Student of the Quarter committee. Funding for the gift card is provided by a different group each quarter, including the WEA, WNIEA, Student Council and the High School Sunshine Fund.
Those recognized are:
Ninth grade: Rachel Olsowske and Nathaniel Atherton
Tenth grade: Katelyn VanNostrand and Dylan Caraballo
Eleventh grade: Kendra Donnelly and Ezra Williams
Twelfth grade: Mackenzie Treanore and Christian Lopez
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DISTRICT VOTERS APPROVE $17.9 MILLION CAPITAL PROJECT
Residents of the Waterloo Central School District approved a $17.9 million capital improvement project on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
The vote was 88 in favor and 41 opposed.
“Thank you to the Waterloo community for their continued support of our complete instructional program, including our facilities,” Superintendent of Schools Terri Bavis said. “This project will continue to provide our students and staff with a safe environment which is conducive to learning. I am appreciative of the community’s long-term support of the improvement of our facilities.”
The project focuses on safety and maintenance and includes work at the Bus Garage, Skoi-Yase Primary School, LaFayette Intermediate School, Waterloo Middle School and Waterloo High School.
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Wrestling Program Wins Section V Sportsmanship Award
The Waterloo Wrestling Program received the Earl Fuller/Frank Marotta Sportsmanship Award from the Wrestling Officials Association of Section V.
Waterloo was selected from more than 45 teams who compete in Division II across Section V and the program was honored on Saturday night prior to the championship matches at SuperSectionals at SUNY Brockport.
Waterloo senior Hunter Worden also advanced to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Individual Championships on Feb. 24 and 25 in Albany after finishing second at 215 pounds. Christian Lopez placed sixth at 132.
Congratulations to Coach Thomas, Coach Russell, Coach Pemberton and all of the wrestlers in the program. Waterloo is proud of you.
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FFA students fare well at district competition
Members of Waterloo High School’s FFA Chapter made history on Feb. 4 by becoming the first Waterloo students in more than 40 years to participate in a district FFA event when they took part in the District VIII Leadership Development Event championship at Marcus Whitman High School.
LDE competitions help students develop public speaking, leadership, and job readiness skills.
The students who participated are: James LaRock (employment skills), Daniel Acquilano (prepared public speaking) and Olivia Lyon (people in agriculture). All three placed in the top five. Lyon and LaRock will participate in sub-states on March 18 at Byron-Bergen High School.
The chapter is advised by Robin Allen.
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Tiger Tribune (February 2023 Edition)
CLICK HERE to read the February 2023 edition of the Tiger Tribune.
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Music Teachers Honored As Unsung Heroes
Mr. Touranjoe, Ms. Becker and Mr. McKenna were recognized at the January Board of Education meeting.
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National Honor Society Welcomes New Inductees
Twenty-five new members were inducted during a ceremony on Nov. 7.
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Tri-M Music Honor Society Welcomes New Members
Eighteen students were inducted during a ceremony on Nov. 2.
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Grateful Student, Family Establish Scholarship
The first Parker Strong Scholarship will be awarded at Waterloo High School in 2023.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES GIRLS WRESTLING PROGRAM
Girls wrestling is considered an emerging sport by the NYSPHSAA.
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January 4th, 2020
The federal and state moratoriums on evictions are currently scheduled to be lifted in January 2021. Due to this, there may be an increase in the number of families who will experience a loss of housing. Governor Cuomo has announced an expansion of the state’s rent relief program. Eligibility criteria has changed and applications will be accepted until February 1st, 2021. Click here for more information and to apply.
Also If you have questions on your rights or need referrals for housing there is a Statewide hotline: 833-503-0447, open 24/7. They will soon be able to answer questions in all languages with interpreters. This is a referral line only — hotline workers aren’t able to answer specific legal questions, but they will be able to direct you to the courts, clerks offices and other resources in your region. If you don’t get through the first time, keep trying!
If you lose your housing or are living in temporary housing please let your school know! We are here to help!
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All Students. All Staff. One Family
The MISSION of the Waterloo Central School District is to put kids first every day. We support each student on a personalized journey to realize their goals. Our caring community develops learners and leaders.
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The Waterloo Central School District affirms that no person shall be subjected to discrimination, denied benefits, or excluded from participation in employment or in any educational program or activity on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or on any other basis in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX, Title IV, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal or state laws. The Waterloo Central School District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The Waterloo Central School District encourages students, parents, staff, and community members to report any harassing, bullying, abusive, or unsafe behavior as soon as possible to a school district official, or when appropriate, to law enforcement.
Superintendent Terri Bavis serves as the Compliance Officer/Coordinator and is authorized to coordinate and carry out the responsibilities of the district under this policy and to coordinate compliance with the regulations and to process any complaint and/or grievance that may be filed in accordance with the grievance procedure heretofore adopted by the District’s Board of Education. Ms. Bavis can be reached at 315-539-1501; via email at Terri.Bavis@waterloocsd.org; or via mail at the District Office: 109 Washington Street, Waterloo, NY 13165.
The Waterloo Central School District also prohibits all harassing conduct based on gender, race, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by state or federal law. The Waterloo Central School District considers harassing conduct to be an abuse contrary to the high moral ethical standards of an educational institution.
Harassing conduct generally consists of subjecting an individual, on the basis of his/her membership in a protected class, to conduct and/or communications that are sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent as to have the purpose or effect of: creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or a student’s educational performance, opportunities, benefits, or well-being; or otherwise adversely affecting an individual’s employment or educational opportunities.
Harassing conduct can include unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct which offends, denigrates, or belittles an individual because of his/her membership in a protected class. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, derogatory remarks, jokes, demeaning comments or behavior, slurs, mimicking, name-calling, graffiti, innuendo, gestures, physical contact, stalking, threatening, bullying, extorting, or the display or circulation of written materials or pictures.
The Waterloo Central School District will not tolerate the use of a position of authority to obtain sexual favors in supervisor/employee or faculty/student relationships. Neither will it condone expressions or actions by any person affiliated with the School District that in any manner constitute sexually harassing conduct, including student-to-student harassment. Attempts to suppress the report of such actions or to retaliate for the presentation of a report will be considered in the same light as the offending behavior.
Inquiries concerning the application of this policy may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005, Telephone: 646-428-3900.
For further information on non-discrimination, visit https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/nondisc.html or call 1-800-421-3481.
