46 The Herald Courier, Friday, June 10, 2016
HC
C O MM U N I T Y new s
Martins welcomes students to state Capitol State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) recently welcomed local high school students Jessica Baer from Schreiber High School, Grace Kim from Manhasset High School and Anahi Tapia from Sewanhaka High School to the State Capitol in Albany. The three students were in Albany to participate in the League of Women Voters New York State Education Foundation’s annual Students Inside Albany conference. The conference is designed to increase high school students’ awareness of their responsibility in a representative government and to provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. Students from all across the state come to Albany to learn about state government and how individual citizens can get involved in the policy-making process. As part of the conference, Baer, Kim and Tapia spent an afternoon “shadowing” Martins during a recent Senate session. Martins talked with the three students about his role as asState senator and what he does on a typical day in Albany when the Senate is in session. Martins also brought them onto the floor of the Senate Chambers, where they were able to watch legislative debates and votes on bills. Martins is pictured with (from left) Baer, Kim and Tapia in the Senate chambers during their “shadowing” experience as part of the “Students Inside Albany” Conference.
S C H O O L new s
Herricks students excel at NYSSMA festival
A number of talented Herricks students presented excellent performances at the 2016 Nassau County NYSSMA Major Ensemble festival, held from May 1618 at Hofstra University. Eleven of the district’s musical ensembles participated in this event, where they were evaluated by highly skilled adjudicators and received awards that reflected their efforts. The students were prepared by their teachers and spent a great deal of time practicing prior to the competition. Their performances were met with remarks of praise and admiration from the judges, who are accomplished music educators from throughout New York. Some were even moved to tears from the incredible sounds and level of professionalism that the students demonstrated. The Herricks groups earned a Gold honor and six Gold with Distinction awards, as well as four Sil-
ver distinctions. The following ensembles and their respective teachers/directors received impressive designations as noted: Center Street Orchestra (Michelina Sobolewski), Gold with Distinction Denton Orchestra (Stephanie Lanuto), Gold with Distinction Searingtown Chorus (Briana Cangemi), Silver Middle School Jazz Band (Geoff Taylor), Silver 9th Grade Band (Scott 9th Grade Orchestra Stickley), Silver 9th Grade Orchestra (Catherine Fish), Gold with Distinction Silver Jazz Band (Geoff Taylor), Silver Mixed Choir (Louise O’Hanlon), Gold with Distinction Wind Ensemble (Scott Stickley), Gold Chamber Orchestra (Catherine Fish), Gold with Distinction Chamber Choir (Louise O’Hanlon), Gold with Distinction Chamber Choir
Center Street Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra