Final Band Concert & Awards

It's been a busy week so far. You can tell it is the end of the school year! Last night we enjoyed Madison's final band concert of the year. It was combined 8th, 9th and Jazz Band. 8th Grade played U.S. Field Artillery March, Farandole, Danny Boy, and Selections from Indiana Jones which included The Spell of the Skull, Raiders March, Call of the Crystal and Journey to Akator. They also combined with 9th grade for the finale playing National Emblem (which is what they will play when they march in the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Columbia on Monday.) Madison continues to enjoy and excel in band. She received one of the few awards given out. She received an Outstanding Musician Award in recognition of outstanding participation and significant contributions to the Oakland Band Program! Here are the pictures. I will e-mail the videos if anyone wants them (Grandma!).



Flutes Rock!


Awards

Chautauqua

Monday night was Madison's Chautauqua presentation for school. It was for her Honors Block class which combines English and Social Studies. They had to choose a historical figure who impacted American History, from 1400-1875. After researching and writing about their chosen person, they had to present their life story in 6 - 8 minutes (while dressed as their character). Madison became Sacagewea for the evening. She did a wonderful job on her presentation. Here she is in her costume :





We would not have been able to pull this look off without the help of my friend who had the dress and shawl to go with it. We also borrowed her little girl's baby doll to play the part of Sacagewea's infant son, Jean-Baptiste, or "Pompey". Thanks, Emily! Our cradleboard is actually made from a pizza box, pillow cases and yarn, decorated with beads. She also carried a fur lined satchel and included showing the dollar coin which honors Sacagewea. This took a lot of courage to get up and speak and all of the kids did such a great job! There was everyone from Queen Isabella to Annie Oakley. In our room, we got to watch presentations of Meriweather Lewis, Francis Scott Key, Sacagewea, Samuel Morse, Santa Anna, Dred Scott and Nat Turner. I enjoyed learning about all of them, but especially Sacagewea!

Graduation Ceremony

After dinner and cake we were on to the football field for the graduation. Don't you just love pomp and circumstance? This was the 101st graduating class! Lisa is such a great girl with a bright future ahead. We are proud of her and her accomplishments so far. Lisa will attend Northeastern State in the Fall after getting married June 5th! Busy girl! Congratulations!

Graduation Party

Friday, May 21st was Lisa's graduation. We drove down Friday (with cakes all boxed up) to the celebration. We got a hotel in nearby Muskogee. We went to Lisa's house first to give her all her graduation gifts. Then we went to dinner at the Pizza Hut where she works in Checotah. It was good to see everyone! Everyone enjoyed the cake (including all the other employees).

Graduation Cake

Last Friday we had Lisa's High School graduation. So, of course, there was cake! I made the cakes Thursday night and they traveled just fine. I was carrying them through our hotel lobby on our way back out to the car and the desk people said, "Oh we want to go with you and eat whatever's in those boxes!" We did 2 ten inch two layer cakes, one chocolate and one white, both covered with fondant. The scroll on top is made out of fondant as well. I made it earlier in the week and let it harden. The "HAPPY GRADUATION" lettering is actually a necklace-- the perfect size for this size cake. They were very fun to do and am so happy they traveled so well!

7th Grade Spring Band Concert

We had our last concert at Lange last night! We forgot the flip, so no video this time, but we did get a few still shots of Gabrielle with her flute buddies. They have a lot of flutes this year! Both Madison and Gabrielle were blessed to have such good band instructors at Lange to give them a good foundation for playing, especially Kim Klaproth. She e-mailed me a little while back saying how great it was to have them. She has spent extra time with Gabrielle working on duets in the mornings.

For the concert they played four numbers: High Falls Overture, In This Quiet Place, The Invincible Warrior, and Bluesville. They did a great job, as usual. Here are a few photos of Gabrielle with her friends Natalie and Paxton.

Viva la Cuba

I just spent some time this morning with Madison's Spanish class. They were having a cultural celebration. The kids paired up and reported on a spanish speaking country. Madison and her friend Maddie did Cuba. They both did research and Madison did a poster display and a brochure. Maddie made the food-- Cuban sandwiches and beans. They did a great job! They had to present and serve food to all of the parents and teachers that came around to view their displays. We tasted such treats as Fried Pork chops, Spanish meatballs (the best in my opinion!) Puerto Rican Fried Meat Pies, Peruvian steak and peppers, Churros with yummy dark chocolate, fruit salads and fruity drinks including a wonderful Strawberry Agua Fresca. The most memorable name for a recipe was the Lengunas de Gatos or "cat tongue" cookies. They were delicious. Can't wait to make some of these at home since they all handed out the recipes!