Sunnymead School is one of six elementary schools in the Hillsborough Township Public School District.
The Sunnymead Benevolent Fund/"Beacon of Light" is a committee of faculty and staff committed to serving every member of the Sunnymead School Family. All students and their immediate families and every staff member and their immediate families as well as residents of Hillsborough Township and neighboring townships on an as needed basis.
Although I have retired, I have the privilege of being an honorary member of the committee, and continue to serve on the Executive Board. I serve behind the scenes, and behind the camera!
Since the inception of the Benevolent Fund the fund has sponsored many activities: Craft Night, Sale of "Huskie Magnets" (the Huskie is the school mascot), Harvest of Helping, Dress for a Cause, Yearbooks, and the annual Variety Show. The proceeds from all these activities enable the Fund to assist others in their time of need.
In preparation of our 5th annual Variety Show, the committee held open auditions. A notice is given to each student, clearly stating the rules and regulations of the audition process.
Doors open at 6:00 PM and students are directed to the sign-in area.
At this station, there are sign-in instructions.
Each 'act' and/performer must complete the form in triplicate. These forms are used by the judges when scoring the act/performance. The scoring process is explained on the school website so that students and parents are aware of the procedure.
Rose Skavron, a second grade teacher is the Executive Producer/Director.
Jackie Levash, an A.S.I. instructor is Co-Producer/Emcee
Michele Jones: Audio Engineer
Becky Lyon: Stage Manager. Michele and Becky are first grade teachers
Kitty Ward is a third grade teacher at Hillsborough Elementary School, and volunteers her time to Sunnymead School. Kitty along with
Shane Jones, a High School Junior, and
Marielena Cardinale a retired Kindergarten Teacher are our judges.
Linda Arnold, Speech teacher is in charge of crowd control and the orderly entrance of performers into the audition hall (the school cafeteria).
Our judges as they get ready to work. Shane representing the generational opinion, Marielena, who is herself an accomplished pianist, and currently teaches others to play the piano, and Kitty, who if she ever gives up teaching, will give "J-LO" serious competition!!
True to its name, the show features many different talents. Among the applicants are: Musicians, Singers, Dancers, Comedians, Puppeteers and a Martial Arts demonstration.
Two third grade boys with their rendition of Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First";
A talented pianist, and
Guitarist.
After judging 48 acts in 3 hours, the judges submit their score sheets. The sheets are separated by specific talent and within the talent by the number of points awarded by the judges.
Laura Wynkoop, Phys Ed teacher, and Bev Stack A.S.I. teacher, help the judges and co-producers confer and deliberate. NOT an easy process. The judges must choose 22 finalists from a field of 48 applicants.
The applications of the 22 finalists are in the hands of the Executive Producer, and after teaching all day, and 3 hours of auditions, we are ready to call it a night. Rehearsals will begin shortly and the Variety Show will be presented on Friday March 25th at the High School Auditorium. Be on the look-out for that blog!
Thanks to the dedicated professionals, pictured here and the MANY not pictured, selflessly supporting the cause, our Variety Show and other fund-raisers, we are able to offer assistance when and where the need arises. The committee greatly appreciates and acknowledges the faculty and staff of Sunnymead School for their support.
