Cabaret is a wonderful thing!

For anyone who has ever had the chance to go the Cabaret performances at AHS you know what I am talking about.  This afternoon I watched more than 200 of our students bring many weeks of practice to a glorious culmination.  The hard work and talent that has been put forth in these last few weeks was really worth it.  The show that lasted more than  two and a half hours flew by.  There was one great showing after the other.

This is not just the work of our students.  The many volunteers really are a key part of the success of this venture.  Many are parents and some of those who put in countless hours don't even have any students at Alvirne anymore.  They have become part of the machine that helps to create this wonderful event and no one can ever thank them enough. 

Liz Beaton, our choral director, has done a great job in bringing out the talent in her students.  This year, the number of solo's, dance routines and coordinated songs by mixed groups was more complex and detailed than ever before.  At every turn, the students answered the call to give their best.

Gerry Bastien is the MUSIC MAN.  He takes his mantra of want to, choose to, love to and ingrains it into our musicians.  The quality of the music has been consistent year to year and somehow things just seem to be getting better each year.  Gerry is one of those rare educators that can find diamonds in the ruff and bring them to their full shine, it is wonderful.

This year marked 20,000 people who have come to see Cabaret over the past fourteen years.  This is a great accomplishment.  Each year my in-laws travel two hours to come to see this show and each year they go home with a smile.  For us, as with many, it has become a family tradition to attend.  I am so proud to be part of this school community and of those who choose to be part of this great program.  Alvirne High School's music program is second to none and I know it will be that way for years to come.  Thanks to all!

Alvirne Broncos, Loud and Proud!

Over the years I have had both students and parents tell me that my rules around fan behavior at athletic events is a bit restrictive.  For those of you who don't know, my philosophy about this is that our fans,  both students and parents, should focus their support of our teams on our teams.  Taunting the other teams, calling out numbers, getting after officials,  chanting toward the opposing school's  fans and the like is something that I have not allowed our students to do.  My concept is to be loud and proud of being Alvirne Broncos. 

I average between 50 to 70 athletic events a year, both home and away.  I have seen every behavior possible from opposing schools.  Some turn their backs when our teams have been introduced, they have been verbally abusive to our players, they have thrown things, they have chanted inappropriate things, they have taunted individuals as well as whole teams. One school actually took out newspapers and held them up as if to read them when our team was introduced.  ( I didn't like it but it was creative.)

When our students go to support our teams they are known as a class act.  We have received e-mails from school officials, NHIAA officials, and even a comment from a member of the State Board of Education on what a pleasure it is to see our students create a positive atmosphere at events.  These compliments also come from people when our students to go competitions for music, drama, career/technical education competitions, and other organizations as well.  These compliments about our school community come from the philosophy that we are loud and proud of being from Alvirne High School.  So for those of you  who feel I should lighten up a bit, my response is thank you for the input but I really think we are the ones who set the standard for everyone else to meet.  We are Alvirne Broncos, enough said.

Somedays You Realize It Is Really Worth It

As a teacher and definitely as the Principal, there are not a lot of days when people come up to say thank you for the time and effort you put into your profession.  There are students as well as parents who do foolish things, who can become abusive, and bring you to the point of questioning is it really worth all the hassle to care enough to bring the best you have each day.  I have been called just about every name in the book by the students and sometimes parents.  Most days I know it is worth it when I see a smile in someone's eyes, a person help someone else, or someone find satisfaction that they finally understand something they have been working toward.  This week, my reason came right through the front door.

A graduate came by the other day to get some records.  This is a student who at one time had some huge issues in navigating the route to graduation.  There were issues around passing grades, truancy, erratic behavior and incidents of disrespect to teaches as well as members of the administration.  This was the picture of a student at risk.  A student who could have found their way to drugs or jail.  There was a time when I had lost faith that we could help him, and for a short time he did leave.  When he decided to come back, I was skeptical that he could be successful.  Step by step he found his way and did graduate. It was a proud day for him, it was a proud day for me.

This week the young man who I would have thought I had lost, came in to get his transcripts so he could enroll in college that will be paid for by his employer.  Today I know that it is really worth it.