CMYK THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
➛
N
E
W
S
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2012
PAGE 7A
Keeping the arts alive is goal of ‘Follies’ Poor added his two children Students at W-B Academy are ulty members Jennifer Yale and “thoroughly enjoyed’ participaAmanda Sullick. required to perform each year Huntzinger, who has served as ting in the annual event. They in the stage plays. the director for 29 years, started work “countless hours,” beginBy RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent
DALLAS TWP. – Wilkes-Barre Academy Director Janice Huntzinger takes pride in the performances of her 200 students in the annual “Winter Follies.” “We’re keeping the arts alive,” she said on Saturday during the 13th annual edition of the shows held at Misericordia University. All students who attend the academy, from kindergarten to eighth grade, are required as part of their educational curriculum to perform each year in the follies, which include five stage plays. This year’s schedule includes a play titled “Tiki Tiki Tembo,” done by the kindergarten, a play titled “Aladdin” performed by the first and second grades, “Cinderella” by third and fourth, “Troy Story” by fifth and sixth, and finally, seventh and eighth grades’ “Like a Christmas Carol.” The plays were adapted by fac-
W-B man charged in gun incident
A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday in a dispute that took place on a street.
the annual event and enjoys seeing the “stellar” results of the students’ hard work. She added the benefits of the annual plays are immeasurable. “They learn great self-confidence and oratory skills,” she said. About 20 percent of the school’s graduates actually pursue future careers in the arts because of their experiences here each year, she said. “Drama is a part of the program at the academy,” she said, adding the follies “incorporates” learning and practice. “We feel teaching the arts is important in education,” she added. David Poor, a parent whose daughter, Jenna, and son, Jason, attend the academy and have done their share of performing, agrees. “It is a tremendous learning experience. The school is keeping up with the arts when the arts are leaving so many other schools,” he said.
PUBLIC RECORD Divorces sought and filed in the Luzerne County Prothonotary’s Office from Jan. 9 through 13, 2012: • Jean Mary Tupper, Dallas and Craig Allen Tupper, Dallas • Rita Carey-Nita, Shavertown and Leo Nita, Shavertown • Christopher G. Boris, Hazleton and Angelica M. Pena, Hazleton • Jennifer De Napoli Magnotta, Hanover Township and
ning to prepare each year as early as October, he added. He especially appreciates the camaraderie the program establishes with the students, faculty and families. “It brings the whole school together,” he added. Amanda Sullick, who taught music at the academy for three years and works closely with the children during preparation and performance time, said the involvement of the parents is key to the event’s success. They support them through the hard practices and show up in force each year to cheer them on, she said. Sullick added she sees definite improvements in the students’ learning and attitudes as they progress through the program. As show time approaches, they start enjoying performing, she added. Huntzinger thanked Misericordia University for helping put on this year’s show. She added stuBILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER dents from the university take part in the event production and Haley Sullick, center, is surrounded by Nathaniel Wren, left, Robert Decker, Logan Orlando, Mya help with the lighting and sound. Pyke and Brady Sholtis as first- and second-graders perform ’Aladdin’ on Saturday. Joseph Michael Magnotta, Mountain Top • Mark Slacktish, Monroe Township and Courtney Slacktish, Monroe Township • Jennifer L. Hensley, Conyngham and Jason M. Hensley, Conyngham • Daniel Morris, Laflin and Shelley Morris, Laflin • Daniel John McNulty, Wilkes-Barre and Kristen Nicole Gaydos, Wilkes-Barre • Nicole Lynn West, Swoyersville and Daniel Boyd West, Nanticoke • Edmund O. Sichler, Harveys Lake and Elizabeth Si-
• Donna Didgeon, West chler, Danbury, CT • John R. Petrick, Freeland Wyoming and Roy Didgeon Sr., West Wyoming and Ruth Petrick, Freeland • Deanne Fisk, Sweet Val• Pamela Welsh, Edwardsville and Sean Welsh, Wilkes- ley and Kris Fisk, Sweet Valley Barre Marriage license applica• Anna Krygier, Ross tions filed in the Luzerne Township and Michael KryCounty Register of Wills gier, Nanticoke Office from Jan. 9 through • Dixon Kitonyo, Wilkes13, 2012: Barre and Danielle Daylida, • Abdallah Arajdel and Larksville Lisa Monica Bednarski • Wayne F. Houseman, • Ryan David Macmillan Wilkes-Barre and Anita and Stephanie Dee Paul Houseman, Wilkes-Barre • Robinson Concepcion • Cinnamon Austin, West and Carlenne Hernandez Pittston and Dean Austin, • Jean Rony Montrose and Factoryville
Gicia St. Sauveur • Stephen R. Tattersall and Nicole C. Greiner • Ryan Michael Roberts and Dana Marie Luke • Samuel Martinez Azanza and Tianna Capasso • Jeffrey Allen Norcross and Lois Summa • Donald A. Brominski and Rebecca A. McCaffrey • Jonas Feliciano Nunez and Katherine Marlene Moldan • John Dixon and Sarah Seabridge • David Michael Hossage and Michelle Stacey
WILKES-BARRE – Police arrested a man Saturday on charges he fired a handgun during a domestic dispute on Dana Street. No one was injured. Sharron L. Johnson, 40, of 20 Public Square, was arraigned Saturday before District Judge David Barilla on misdemeanor charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment of another person and propulsion of missiles onto a roadway. According to police, at 9:36 (Sharron) a.m. Saturday, Johnson, who police were dispatched to Daaccording to na Street and police has no Hazle Avenue criminal reon a report of cord, was two men firing handguns at released by each other. (District When police arJudge Anrived at the corner the 9-1-1 drew) Barilla caller told powithout bail. lice the two men fled on Dana Street toward Park Avenue, one on foot and one in a black Mercedes-Benz. Police said they found Johnson in the Mercedes on Park Avenue near South Street and that Johnson waved police down and said “I’m the guy you’re looking for.” Johnson told police he had a gun in his jacket pocket, at which point he was placed in handcuffs and taken to police headquarters. Johnson told police he was driving Timothy Fairconatue, a man he was romantically involved with, to a friend’s house Saturday morning, police said. The two had been arguing since leaving Johnson’s residence at the Ramada Inn. During the argument, Johnson told police he pulled the car over on Dana Street and both men stepped out. Johnson said Fairconatue attempted to start a fight with him, at which point he fired the gun at the ground as a warning shot, according to police. Johnson, who according to police has no criminal record, was released by Barilla without bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. in Central Court.
734032
By MATT HUGHES mhughes@timesleader.com