Education notebook: Riverside High choir, bands earn top ratings at music festival in Seattle

Riverside High School choir, A Touch of Class, along with Jazz and Concert band students recently performed at the Worldstrides Heritage Music Festival in Seattle. The choir received a gold rating, the top honor at the festival.. The Jazz Band also claimed the gold rating, as well as first place. The Concert Band earned a silver rating and placed second. These groups were also recognized for their support of other schools at the festival, earning them the “Spirit of Seattle” trophy. The choir is directed by Jesse Wittrock and the bands are directed by Dan Carlson.

“A Touch of Class” choir members include: Ridney Beach, Emily Bradfish, Vianey Clevenger, Justine Conley, Charles Erickson, Ethan Erickson, Jazlyn Gonzalez, Molly Goodell, Chantal Harms, Christina Herrick, Amy Hipol, Shane Kaleikini, Madison Kline, Zytka Lukenbill, Marissa Manning, Hannah Mascol, David Matson, Kyndra Maxey, Zoey McCall-Smith, Brooke Munyon, Mishayla Parker, Madison Paul, Brandon Peterson, Brittany Reeves, Addy Riendeau, Claudia Rood, Matthew Samuels, Pyper Thompson, Helena Vodicka and Sydney Wright.

Jazz and Concert band members include: Dylan Aronson, Ian Bakken, Thomas Baldwin, Clayton Bartlett, Jayden Beckham, Andrew Bergman, Alice Burchett, Aaron Covey, Sidney Custer, Charles Erickson, Elijah Goodell, Miles Hipke, Ethan Jaeger, Maddie Jones, Dylan King, Emma Koski, Phillip Lapoint, Zachary Lapoint, Bethany Long, Brodie Long, Hannah Mascol, Thomas McNamee, Christian Miller, Conor Norton, Cassandra Raymond, Connor Rinauro, Daniel Rux, Nicholas Stephens, Isaac Stevens, Daniel Sweet, Amanda Town, Ashlynn White, Olivia Willis and Kaycee Wilson.

G-Prep drama onstage with ‘Crucible’

Gonzaga Preparatory’s Drama Department presents “The Crucible.”

Taking place during the Salem Witch trials, Arthur Miller’s allegory for 1950’s Mcarthyism tells a story of greed, vengeance and paranoia as a young teenager accuses a rival of witchcraft, causing the small town to fall into a frenzy.

After being discovered dancing in the woods, Abigail Williams, (Allison Pohle), will do anything to cover her tracks, including accusing her own friends and neighbors of witchcraft. The only people standing in her way are John Proctor, (Alex Russell) and his wife Elizabeth, (Tessa Senger). Matters become complicated when her uncle brings both Reverend Hale, (Austin Dresser) and Deputy Governor Danforth, (Samuel Faiman), to help uncover the truth behind these claims. When Elizabeth is accused, it begins to spark a discontent among the Salem residents.

Other cast members include: Jackson Bulger (Reverend Parris); Maria Siwinski (Mary Warren); Destiny Gilliland (Mercy Lewis); Belle Roth (Betty Parris); Aubrey Richards (Susanna Walcott); Kendall Brock (Giles Corey); Alec Bell (Judge Hathorne); Michael Auble (Ezekiel Cheever); Michael McGonigle (Francis Nurse); Paul Marano (Thomas Putnam); Gabbie Watt (Tituba); Samantha Aldous (Rebecca Nurse); Sidney Semenza (Ann Putnam); Cemoria Larson (Sarah Good); Ireland Lefebvre (Martha Corey); Joshua Chery (Willard) and Zach Dombrowik (Hopkins).

Performances will be Friday and Saturday and May 19-20 at 7 p.m.; and May 21 at 3 p.m. Admission is $7. For more information contact Patrick Bulger at pbulger@gprep.com or call (509) 483-8511.

Cheney FBLA members qualify for nationals

Cheney Middle School and Westwood Middle School recently claimed victory at the Future Business Leaders of America State competition.

Representing Cheney: Beckett Schoenleber placed first in pitch it; and Gabe Gerber and Jonathan Jacobsen placed fourth in Social media campaign. These three students qualified for Nationals this summer.

Representing Westwood: Faith Boyle and Ashley Thompson placed first in webpage middle level. Steven Johnson, Jasmine Sprague and Jamie Sprague placed first in community service project middle level. In the Pitch It event, Jamie Sprague placed sixth and Alexxis Bowes placed in 10th.

Medical Lake High will perform ‘Big Fish’

Medical Lake High School presents their production of “Big Fish”, a musical. Showtimes for Saturday are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Showtimes for Sunday are 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the door. $10/adults, $5/ASB card, children and seniors.

Riverside High will be onstage in ‘Giver’

The Riverside High School Theater Department presents “The Giver”.

Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a dystopian community where everything is the same, or so he thought. As the new receiver, he is faced with the dilemma of staying the course and living with the system his community adopted years ago, or forcing everyone to examine not only what they believe, but whether it is right and just.

Performances will be Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. $5/adults and $3/students and children payable at the door. This show is not recommended for children under age 13.