American Idol Comes to USC Pam Dillie and Frank McFerran, Baker Elementary teachers Many talents abound at Baker Elementary, and each
spring the Baker PTA organizes a variety show at the high school theatre allowing the students to show off their special talents and abilities including singers, dancers, pianists, joke-tellers, gymnasts, athletes, and kids performing original skits—every star has a chance to shine! This year, Baker’s variety show welcomed four special guests all the way from Hollywood—“Ryan Seacrest,” “Simon Cowell,” “Paula Abdul,” and “Randy Jackson.” All kidding aside, the Baker teachers performed their own version of American Idol, the theme of this year’s show.
2006 American Idol teac her and administration par front row: Christine Frattar ticipants, left to right, e, Lau middle row: Pam Dillie, Kar ra Goldner, Mary Grace Diulus, Sherry Ellis; a Ben inte nd, Kristi DeNee, Carolyn Idle Yvonne Gipson, Dr. Ruth r, Ann Matyuf; back Frank McFerran, Erin McM row: Emily Alloway, Matt Alloway, inn, and Howard Foltz
In 2004, to keep with that year’s beach theme, the teachers sang and danced in beach attire. Incorporating the daily goingson at Baker School, they rewrote the lyrics to the Beach Boys song “Kokomo.” Off of Morton Road, There’s a place called Baker School. That’s where you want to go to learn the Golden Rule. Students in the hall, and at their lockers against the wall. They’ll be getting their books when the teachers give that famous call. We love our Baker School.
2005 Hooray for Hollywood teacher and administration participants, left to right: Matt Alloway, Deanne Spicer, Amanda Dubich, Laura Goldner, Sherry Ellis, Dr. Ruth Ann Matyuf, Kara Benintend, Pam Dillie, Howard Foltz, and Frank McFerran
Host Ryan Seacrest was portrayed by fourth level teacher Eric McMinn, Randy Jackson was portrayed by teacher aide Howard Foltz, and second level teachers Mary Grace Diulus and Frank McFerran played Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, respectively. First level teacher Matt Alloway and his wife, Emily, (also a USCHS teacher) opened the show with the jitterbug, but were reminded by the judges that the show was American Idol, not Dancing with the Stars. Resource teacher Kara Benintend and first level teacher Kristi DeNee, accompanied by pianist and librarian Yvonne Gipson, sang “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” They were asked to return to Kansas by sour-faced judge Simon. The final adult group of the variety show’s opening skit was a group of teachers hoping to sing their way to stardom. The ensemble was led by Baker’s own music teacher Christine Frattare who played Katherine McPhee. Her back-up singers included Baker principal Dr. Ruth Ann Matyuf, second level teacher Pam Dillie, kindergarten teacher Sherry Ellis, physical education teacher Carolyn Idler, and teacher aide Laura Goldner. The judges (even Simon) loved this group! Baker’s teachers have long enjoyed (and considered it an honor to participate in) this annual school event, and the students love seeing their teachers up on stage. Last year, the teachers celebrated Hooray for Hollywood by riding on a pretend school bus while singing “The Wheels of the Bus Go ‘Round and ‘Round.” The star-struck teachers rode their “bus” through the theatre looking for audience celebrities and cracking jokes. 80
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2006
The Beatles-themed show in 2003 included a tribute to thenoutgoing Baker principal, Ted Barnett. The teachers rewrote the lyrics of “When I’m Sixty-Four” and sang the song in dedication to their retiring leader. Ted played the role of Ed Sullivan and interviewed the Beatles, who were portrayed by teachers Pam Dillie, Sherry Ellis, Dave Henderson, and Frank McFerran. Ed Sullivan’s questions were all answered in the form of “Fab Four” songs. For example, when asked, “How did you get to America?” the teachers, wearing mop top wigs, sang, “We All Rode on a Yellow Submarine.”
Left to right, behind singer Christine Frattare are Pam Dillie, Sherry Ellis, Laura Goldner, Dr. Ruth Ann Matyuf, and Carolyn Idler
Acts in previous years include swing dancing to 50s music while wearing chinos and poodle skirts, rapping along with a second level hip-hop performance, and a mysterious visit by the Phantom of the Opera. This year’s show was aired on USC’s Cable 7. Keep your ears open for the date of next year’s production so you can enjoy the many talents of Baker School’s students and staff live! Instead of Ryan Seacrest’s traditional American Idol ending, “Seacrest out!” at Baker, it’s “Teachers out!” ■