Music program adds cellos with donation's help

By Rachael Hanley
Staff Writer

Published on December 16, 2005

There will be more bowing in the high school string program, thanks to a recent donation from the Cherewatti Family Foundation Fund. According to David Ranen, music and performing arts coordinator for the district, the $500 contribution will cover part of the cost of a new cello, with the rest of the amount coming from the ARHS music department.

A full-sized cello costs $850 for the instrument, bow and case. The department is expected to acquire one full-sized and one half-sized cello.

''It's the kind of instrument a lot of kids can't afford on their own,'' said Ranen. ''This gift was a definite boost to us.''

Although Ranen said the high school orchestra program is ''one of the best in the state,'' it is also one without very much funding. This is the first time in roughly eight years that the program will receive a new string instrument, he said.

Funds for the music department come from rentals of musical instruments and fundraisers. Ranen has now set his sights on timpanies, a string bass and possibly a new piano. But with the cost of just the bass in the $1,400 to $2,000 range, those instruments may be awhile in coming.

In a word, 'outstanding'

Three Amherst teachers were recognized by the Henry David Thoreau Foundation recently for their work as ''outstanding teachers.''

Receiving the Outstanding Teacher award were Tina Clarke, campaign director for Massachusetts Clean Water Action and long-time environmental educator, Michael Malone, a biology teacher at Amherst Regional High School, and Valerie Veneman, an ARHS economics teacher. All mentored Amherst Regional High School students who went on to become Henry David Thoreau Scholars.

Founded in 1999, Henry David Thoreau Foundation is a Somerville based non-profit that provides scholarships to high school students in Massachusetts as they go on to college. Those students must demonstrate leadership and interest in the environment.

This year, the organization asked their undergraduate scholars to nominate teachers who had made a difference during their high school careers. A total of 33 teachers were honored.

Ann Carlson, PR manager for the foundation, said that creating a forum for students to nominate teachers was an important step for the young organization.

''We realized there was a lot more we could do to recognize our outstanding teachers,'' she said. ''Students don't get to us, usually, unless some teacher gets them excited about the environment.''

Since 1999, four ARHS students have received Thoreau scholarships. The students include Spring Greeney; Alisha Holland, Gloria McCahon, and Tara McNerney.

Seasonal hurricane relief

The holiday season is traditionally a time for charitable giving. With that spirit in mind, the Amherst Regional school district is asking local residents to donate to hurricane relief in return for a card that can be given as a gift. Checks, made out to the school district, will be accepted through Dec. 22.

In return, donors will receive a holiday card with a picture of snowy woods above the words, ''In this joyous holiday season...''

Inside, the card has images from Bay St. Louis in Mississippi, the Amherst sister city, along with the message: ''(Donor's name) has made a donation in the name of (Honoree's name) to aid the children of the public schools of...Mississippi as they rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.''

Locals have already donated more than $5,000 towards reconstruction of schools in Bay St. Louis. The money was raised through the efforts of Amherst residents and school children.

Students at local Amherst schools are also continuing efforts to aid their southern counterparts. In Crocker Farm elementary school, fifth-graders have been working on mugs and pots in art class. The pots, which will be fired and glazed, will be sold as a fundraiser for Bay St. Louis.

As of Thursday last week, the students had already created 21 items to sell for the fundraiser. Students were also planning to return to the art room during their lunch breaks to finish more mugs.

Art teacher Janet Winston said that other students in the school had been selling model houses they made to represent how they would rebuild after the hurricane.

The fifth-graders have established a fundraising committee to coordinate their efforts and hope to eventually have pen-pals in Bay St. Louis. Over Thanksgiving, they sent a check for $350 to the area. After considering several ideas for fundraisers, including activity nights or candy-counting games, committee member Will Barstow, 11, said the class settled on making mugs for their next fundraiser.

''All the teachers always drink coffee in the day time, so we had the idea to make mugs,'' he said.

The class is hoping the money they raise will go toward the purchase of supplies and books, added Althea Gughran Schenck, 10. ''We saw a picture of the school and they didn't have walls,'' she said. ''We have such a good school and they don't.''

''We're just lucky because we're northern,'' agreed Will.

Rachael Hanley can be reached at rhanley@gazettenet.com.