The following e-mail newsletter is published to inform parents and community members about Heights High. For more information or to be removed from this list, contact Parent/Community Liaison Joy Henderson, J_Henderson@chuh.org or 320-3052.

Important Dates:

April 30: Instrumental Music Concert - Concert Band and Orchestra, Symphonic Band
7:30 p.m. Chamber Ensembles at 6:30 p.m.

May 2: Instrumental Music Concert - Symphonic Winds, Symphony, Jazz Ensemble
7:30 p.m. Senior Soloist, Andrew Brandt, piano. Chamber Ensembles at 6:30 p.m.

Athletic News

Heights High indoor track runners attended the Nike Nationals March 15-16. Senior and Ohio State recruit Jared Hall placed 10th in the 800. The 1600 sprint medley relay team of Wael El Halaby, Bryan Underwood, Dontave Cowsette, and Hall placed 2nd. The 400 relay team of Sylvester Watts, El Halaby, Hall, and Cowsette placed 7th.

Jared was featured in The Plain Dealer’s high school athletic weekly section, The Locker Room, on March 20 - see the full article at: www.cleveland.com/hssports/track.

Wrestler Places 3rd at Nationals

Senior India Walker placed 3rd in the Women’s National High School Wrestling Tournament in La Livonia, Michigan, on March 28, 29, and 30. India competes in the 128 pound weight class and received a scholarship to the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, where she will compete on their #1 ranked women’s team in the fall.

Girls Soccer Conditioning

Spring training for the Lady Tiger’s soccer fall high school season starts soon. If you are interested in playing on the girls soccer team in fall ’08, contact coach Keith Gisser at klgisser@earthlink.net.

Scholar Athletes Honored

One hundred Heights High student athletes with the highest GPAs were recognized at the National Scholar Athlete Day reception on April 7, a day when collegiate and high school athletes are recognized for academic excellence.

The two seniors with the highest GPAs were awarded plaques: Daley Baker plays lacrosse and hockey and has a GPA of 4.58, and Sarah Dion plays soccer and lacrosse and has a GPA of 4.59.

Trinity High School alum and former University of Tennessee women’s basketball national championship player Semeka Randall was the keynote speaker. She congratulated the students on their accomplishments and reminded them that in college the same hard work and dedication will take them far.

Four Heights students attending the event noted that one of the keys to their success is time management. Seniors Bryan Atlas (football and track) and Ramier Reglus (football) both said that using a planner was important. Bryan said, “I take it one day at a time and prepare for my assignments, but I don’t get stressed about it.”

Junior Erica Nearon (volleyball) and sophomore Rosie Conic (tennis, swimming and softball) said they use their time efficiently by studying between school and practice and watching very little TV. “Focusing during class is important too – I try to get the most out of each class,” Rosie said.

Mosaic Dancers Perform

Five Mosaic dancers performed on Saturday, March 29, in Inlet Dance Theatre’s education matinee as part of the DanceWorks Festival at Cleveland Public Theatre.

The Heights students joined professional dancers on stage in a supportive learning environment designed to showcase young, promising dancers. “I was so proud of the Mosaic dancers – they were very open to learning and did a wonderful job in the improvisation piece,” Bill Wade, Mosaic Dance Instructor and Artistic Director/Founder of Inlet Dance Theatre, said.

The students who participated were: Veatrice Andres, Alisa Littlejohn, Diamond McKenzie, Tania Timmons, and Jeanae Willis. All the students enjoyed the chance to see accomplished dancers and to learn from them. “It was hard… but also fun to see such dedicated, excellent dancers,” Diamond said.

Students can take Dance I or II this year. Mr. Wade hopes to add an after school dance ensemble to the emerging dance program at Heights High.

School Supplies and Tiger T-Shirts for Sale

The Tiger Shop sells school supplies, T-shirts, hoodies, and collar shirts with Heights High logos and Tiger insignias. The shop is open during lunch periods and is located at the top of the steps in the social room.

Students operate the shop with the help of Preston Cunningham, Vocational Job Coach. A sample of the Tiger wear available in the shop will be displayed in the front hallway display case (near the auditorium) in May.

For more information, contact Ray Tindira at 320-3048, or Sarah Werner at 320-3138.

Heights Artists Show Work

PTA Young Artists Exhibition Student artists in grades K-12 will exhibit work at the Heights Arts Studio at the Library, 2340 Lee Road (across from the library) now through May 17.

Studio hours are Sunday – Wednesday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Heights Arts at 371-3457 or heightsarts@heightsarts.org.

The Governor’s Show

Three Heights High artists were selected to show their work at the 38th Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition in Columbus at the James A. Rhodes Office Tower from April 13-May 15.

Kimberly Hackman (12th), Kimberly Wilkins (11th), and Eric Brock (9th) had their work included in the 300-piece show. The judges selected from a statewide pool of 12,000 pieces of high school artwork.

Art pieces entered by the students: Kim Hackman, photograph; Kim Wilkins, self-portrait charcoal drawing; Eric Brock, pen and ink still-life drawing.

Vocalists Sing and Serve in New Orleans

The Singers, Show Choir, and A Cappella Choir went to New Orleans April 2-6. Sixty-six students and 16 chaperones flew to New Orleans for music performance and community service with Habitat for Humanity.

As quoted in a Sun Press interview which appeared in the April 17 issue, Vocal Music Director Craig McGaughey said, “I wanted to awaken their social conscience and have them become more aware of their surroundings and other people’s needs. That’s what really happened here.”

They heard the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and performed for the band and worked for two full days on Habitat homes in Musicians’ Village, a neighborhood being rebuilt to encourage musicians to return to New Orleans.

The Heights students performed for other Habitat workers, for a Zydeco band at their restaurant, and at a local church. They heard more jazz, learned to Cajun Waltz, toured a swamp and saw alligators up close and personal, and toured the Mardi Gras World.

Perhaps the most powerful experience for the students was seeing the devastation still present in the city. The amount and degree of the damage is hard to describe, according to senior Jane Lindsay. “The entire group was so moved by seeing the destruction – some of it was so bad that the areas will not be rebuilt.”

Working on several homes was a way for the students to contribute while soaking up the wonderful music and culture of the city.

The trip was planned by Vocal Music Director Craig McGaughey and community volunteer Kari Sharpe.