Minus the ad libs-
Mrs. Messina and the Treble Choir indulged my request this year and sang “Let it go” at the spring concert. For some reason when I watched the movie Frozen with my 10 year old daughter the song and theme of the movie really spoke to me. Instead of adults seeing the gift in a child they quickly sought to hide her talent. Princess Elsa was different- and as the lyric states she was directed to “conceal don’t feel”. The death of her parents (BTW- you don’t want to be a parent in a Disney movie) left her without guidance and she grew up to believe she wasn’t gifted, rather she was cursed. The song “Let it go” describes her coming out party- when her secret is finally revealed and the weight of the world is lifted off her shoulders. Consider the lyrics, “it’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small and the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all. It’s time to see what I can do. To test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong, no rules for me. I’m free. Let it go” Your graduation today is very much like princess Elsa’s coronation day; the day you all reveal yourselves to the world. Who will the world see? We al have special talents and gifts. Don’t hide them- discover them. Embrace and cultivate them. Pursuing your passions will ultimately led to a happier life.
Little did I know that when my daughter asked me to watch a Disney movie with her it would seem so profound to me. But I guess that is the beauty about the arts whether stage, film or music words and melodies all touch us differently.
I thought it would be interesting to make the theme of my speech this year on popular lyrics in the songs of 2013-14; that is until I listened and read the lyrics of over 50 songs! I discovered there aren’t too many lyrics I want or care to repeat. But I did find a few messages in the lyrics that were fitting for today.
For example I could hear some of your teacher’s saying- -what would I do without your smart mouth. Drawing me in and you kicking me out. You’ve got my head spinning, no kidding, I can’t pin you down. What’s going on in that beautiful mind, I’m on your magical mystery ride
I know some of your parents are hoping you aren’t saying…”here I stand and here I stay.”
But most of the lyrics I selected really offer advice-
- “Lately I been losing sleep. Dreaming about the things that we could be, but baby I been praying hard. Said no more counting dollars we’ll be counting stars.” One Republic reminds us to dream big!
- I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath. Scared to rock the boat and make a mess. So I sat quietly, agreed politely. I guess that I forgot I had a choice. I let you push me past the breaking point. I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything. Kati Perry reminds us to Believe in yourself! –
- We don’t have to worry about nothing cause we got the fire and we are burning one hell of something. They gonna see us from outer space, light it up like we’re the stars of the human race. When the lights turned down they don’t know what they heard. Strike the match, play it loud, giving love to the world. Ellie Goulding urges you to make a positive mark on the world
- now I’m not much of a poet but I know somebody once told me to seize the moment and don’t squander it cause you never know when it could be over- Marshall Mathers reminds us to live in the moment
- This is the time to remember cause it will not last forever. These are the days to hold on to cause we won’t although we want to. This is the time- but time is gonna change. Billy Joel reminds us to cherish great memories, but know there are many more to come.
- There is always going to be another mountain and I am always going to want to make it move. Always going to be an uphill battle sometime I am going to lose. Ain’t about how fast I get there, ain’t about what is waiting on the other side. It’s the climb. The Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus speaks about the importance of perseverance
Finally I think Natasha Bedingfield says it the best- “drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.”
God bless all of you and may you find peace and happiness in all that you do.
Posted 10 years, 5 months ago at 10:14 am. Add a comment
Celebrate 35 years of musical theater in Mineola with the second annual alumni-run student summer showcase. The showcase is August 8 at 8 p.m. at Mineola High School theater. Tickets will be available online at mineoladrama.com or at the box office at Mineola High School beginning July 1. Get your tickets early, I think this one will sell out!
Posted 10 years, 5 months ago at 11:43 am. Add a comment
I was lucky enough to get a preview of the first STEM night at Jackson Avenue this afternoon and let me tell you – this is NOT your average science fair. What these fourth graders have been doing under Ms. Dawber is nothing short of amazing. You will be blown away by these projects, I assure you. Here’s a sneak peek of Arwen Lopez masterfully performing cataract surgery (on a grape, of course)! Join us tonight from 7-9pm at Jackson to see our scientists at work.
Posted 10 years, 5 months ago at 2:01 pm. Add a comment
Congratulations go to Nick Iadevaio who will be representing Mineola as one of the Nassau All-Stars in the “BLUE CHIP PROSPECTS ALL-STAR GAME ”
This game will be held a week from today June 16th Monday night at Farmingdale State College. Game time is 7 pm.
Posted 10 years, 5 months ago at 9:26 am. 1 comment
Join me on Thursday night as the Board recognizes the following exemplary Science students -
SENIORS:
Raymond Agrelo:
Harvesting Electricity from the Wind for Use in Automobiles.
Awards:
Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (JV division): Honorable mention.
Long Island Science Congress: 2nd place Earth, Space and Energy
Most distinguished in Earth Space and Energy
New York State Congress Nominee
New York State Congress Honors award in Physical Sciences (the state congress only gives honors, high honors and highest honors in two categories: Live Sciences and Physical Sciences).
Caroline Mueller:
The Surfactant, Tween-80, Increases the Biodegradation of Phenanthrene by a Microbial Consortium (worked at Hofstra University)
Awards:
Invited to present at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
Long Island Science Congress High Honors
Mallory Brady:
The Effect of Mycorrhizae on the Phytoremediation of Phenanthrene
(worked at Hofstra University)
Awards:
Invited to present at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
Long Island Science Congress Achievement
Kristen Sze-Tu
Modulation of Endogenous Morphine Biosynthesis Diminished Rotenone Cytotoxicity to Human HTB-11 cells: Implications for Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. (worked at SUNY Old Westbury, Neuroscience Group)
Awards:
Science Teachers Association of NY State Award, Nassau Division
Long Island Science Congress Highest Honors
Sarah Lee:
The effect of internalization on FEA2’s activity
(worked at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories)
Awards:
New York State Science and Engineering Fair Andromeda Division: 2nd place in plant sciences.
Long Island Science Congress: Achievement
At the Long Island Science Congress the following seniors received an Achievement Award.
Brandon Sia and Jacob Escobar: Chlorella pyrenoidosa bioremediate the pollutants, Dicamba and Zinc, reversing the detyrimental effects on Artemia salina
Joyce Hwang and Michelle Senra: National Trends in Spine Surgery (worked at Winthrop Hospital)
JUNIORS:
Charlotte Ring:
Effect of Acidic Precipitation on Soil Erosion in the small scale.
Award: New York Science and Engineering Fair Andromeda Division 1st Place in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Long Island Science Congress: Meritorious
Emily Abrams:
The Effect of Potassium Permanganate and Chlorine on the Inhibition of Chorella pyrenoidosa.
Award: New York State Science and Engineering Fair Andromeda division 1st Place Environmental Sciences
Monika Dharia:
The Effect of Dibromochloromethane on the Hemocyte Response of Mytilus edulis
Award: New York Science and Engineering Fair Andromeda division 2nd place Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Godinho:
Toxicities of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen on the Survival and Development of Artemia salina.
Award: New York Science and Engineering Fair Andromeda division 3rd place Environmental Sciences
Scott Shannon:
Stellar Core Temperatures Near and Far from the Galatic Center
Award: New York State Science and Engineering Fair Andromeda division 3rd place Physics and Astronomy
Al Kalfus Long Island Math Fair: Finalist, Bronze metal
Craig Vande Stouwe:
The use of Mathematical Attractiveness Ratios for Facial Recognition
Award: New York State Science and Engineering Fair Andromeda division 3rd place Mathematical Sciences
Michael Woytysiak:
The Effect of Music Tempo on Reading Speed and Short-Term Memory
Award: Long Island Science Congress Metitorious
Posted 10 years, 6 months ago at 12:13 pm. Add a comment
