Students and community connect to create a spot dedicated to remembering loved ones
Niskayuna residents now have a special place they can visit when they want to remember family members, friends and classmates who have passed away—thanks in large part to an idea proposed by Van Antwerp Middle School student Quinn Desiderio.
The effort began a little more than a year ago when, as a seventh-grader, Desiderio penned a composition that was among those selected by judges to win the annual GE ELFUN Society essay contest. In their essays, students were asked to describe how they would use $500 to make a difference in their community. Desiderio wrote about establishing what she called a Memory Spot dedicated to Niskayuna residents “who were gone, but not forgotten.” Read more

Niskayuna High School teachers recognized for excellence
When the school principal and district superintendent pay a surprise visit to a classroom, it can cause heart palpitations for the teacher. But those palpitations quickly turn to joy once it is revealed that the teacher has won an award.
This is exactly what happened to two Niskayuna High School teachers the morning of June 6. Business teacher Michelle Stopera and special education teacher Kathy Ylvisaker had just begun their classes when several visitors – including Superintendent Kevin Baughman, Principal John Rickert, two representatives of Student Congress and members of the Niskayuna Community Foundation – appeared at their door with balloons and plaques announcing the teachers had been selected the recipients of the Murray Award for Excellence in Education. Read more

Van Antwerp students set stage for "Romeo and Juliet"
"My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!"
Van Antwerp eighth-graders rehearsed this and other famous lines in preparation for the drama club’s two performances of “Romeo and Juliet: Selected Scenes with Narration” on Thursday, June 1 and Friday June 2.
Between 65-70 students (approximately half the eighth-grade class) participated in the production of selected scenes from William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of star-crossed lovers. Thirty-two actors and actresses learned their lines, a quartet of student musicians played the score, one student stage director, eight student scene directors, four musicians, eight stage crew and six costume coordinators set the stage, while the remaining 15-20 students worked as hair and make-up artists and ushers.

Senior Art Exhibit is open at the Nisk-Art Gallery
The end of the year art show is a 32-year tradition in the Art Department. It was first held in the halls of the art department, and since 1988 it has been held in the Nisk-Art Gallery. The show features artworks from the Class of 2006 art students. On June 6, high school seniors and underclassmen will receive scholarship and award recognition from art schools, teachers, local businesses, and from other competitions held throughout the school year. The awards ceremony will be held in the auditorium at 6:00 p.m., and will be followed by the art show reception at 7:00 p.m.

Mozart concert raises $4,000 for Alief Independent School District
The Niskayuna High School Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorale's performance of Mozart's "REQUIEM" in May raised $4,000 to help students whose lives were disrupted by last year's devastating hurricane season. This money along with a $5,000 check ― proceeds from the spring musical, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" ― will be sent to the Alief Independent School District in Houston, which has become home to more than 2,000 displaced students from hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. More music news

See the award-winning work of Niskayuna's aspiring film directors 
On Friday June 16, the Niskayuna High School Art Department will present SHORT CUTS #5 — a video celebration showcasing outstanding productions from the 2005-2006 school year  at 6:30 p.m. in the Little Theater (use Media Center Entrance in the back).
Admission is free to the more than 25 short films created by NHS video students including award-winning entries from the Reel Teens USA Festival, the Rod Serling Film Festival and the Capital Region Media Arts Festival.
Due to mature themes in some productions, parental guidance is suggested.
Contact Steve Honicki in the Art Department (382-2511, ext. 4337) for more information.

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