Hudson - Litchfield News | January 27, 2012 - 3 Alvirne’s B-Naturals Sing at St. Kathryn’s Church


submitted by Katie Wagner, Alvirne High School Intern On Friday January 19, Alvirne High School’s select choir, the B-


Naturals gave a performance at Saint Kathryn’s Church in Hudson. The director of the chorus, Elizabeth Beaton, is a member of the church. The concert was a benefit to raise money to help the chorus get to Washington, DC, for the 100th annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The B-Naturals were the only chorus in New Hampshire to be chosen by Governor John Lynch to represent New Hampshire at the festival in DC. In order to make the trip, the students must raise over $15,000.


In order to become part of this elite group of singers, students must audition. As part of the audition, Mrs. Beaton tests them on their sight-reading ability, they must sing a well-known song, such as “Happy Birthday,” and they must sing with the group to see how they sound. Not many people make it into this chorus, and there are usually no more than 18 people allowed in at one time. Alvirne has proudly sent eight students to Jazz All-State out of 64 totally students in the state, sent nine students to All-New England, and are sending nine to All- State this year. The chorus performed a total of 12 songs, receiving standing


ovations after “Veniki,” a very difficult Russian Folk song, and after the entire concert. Several of the students showcased their ability to sing solos, as well. Samantha Mignult, sang “How Beautiful,” Katie Masson gave her version of Adele’s “Someone Like You,” and Taylor Lemieux sang “Misty.” Nick Masson beat boxed a beat to “For What It’s Worth” while the rest of the chorus sang their parts. Several members of St. Kathryn’s own chorus joined in with the B-Naturals during the last song. A collection was sent around the church before the last song was sung, and many parishioners generously donated money to help the B- Naturals pay their way to Washington, DC. Father Joe Cooper, the pastor of St. Kathryn’s said, “This is the first time I’ve heard them … they were absolutely incredible!” They were, indeed incredible, and we wish them luck in DC! If anyone would like to make a donation to help the B-Naturals,


who are still a few thousand dollars away from their goal, you can address a check to: B Naturals to Washington DC, c/o Alvirne High School, 200 Derry Road, Hudson, NH 03051. All checks should be made payable to the “Alvirne Singers Fund.” Businesses can also sponsor the B-Naturals, and be advertised. For more information, you can contact the choral director, Mrs. Beaton at Alvirne by calling 883-1265.


Cool Runnings 2012


submitted by Sherri Lavoie Are you ready for the second Annual Cool Runnings Cardboard Sled Races to benefit Mal’s Pals? Remember how much fun we had last year? Well, grab some cardboard and get building! Saturday, February 11, is the date set for this year’s races. Registration forms


are available on-line or you can register in person beginning at 12 p.m. that day. The registration fee is $10 per sled, with a $15 family maximum. Races will begin at 2 p.m. on the hill off the back parking lot at Hills Garrison School. There will be prizes for the Fastest, Most Creative, and Best Theme sleds. Come early so that you can show off your building skills! Mal’s Pals is a non-profit group dedicated to building an amphitheater at Benson Park. Mallory Gray was a life-long Hudson student who attended Hills Garrison and Hudson Memorial Schools before passing away in the fall of 2009. She was an avid reader and loved spending time with her family and friends. Although Mallory never was able to visit Benson Park, she heard many stories from her mother and other relatives about their visits and fun as children. Mal also proudly wore a Benson’s Wild Animal Farm charm bracelet that was her mother’s as a child. It is with this memory in mind that Mal’s Pals is working so


hard to fulfill this dream. For more information or how to help out, check out our Website at www.malspals.org. Stay tuned for more pictures and think snow!


Transition to High School is Essential to Success


submitted by William Hughen, Alvirne High School Every spring thoughts of a new incoming freshman class prompt the beginning of a transition plan that runs for an entire year. Teachers and administrators at Hudson Memorial School and Alvirne High School recognized years ago that if a student felt comfortable in their transition from one building to the next, it helped in their ability to focus on their school work. This transition process begins with a curriculum review, which culminates in the development of the annual Program of Studies at Alvirne. This document, prepared in January, provides detailed information about every class available for students to take at the high school. The department heads at each building then meet to review any changes in the curriculum that may have been proposed since last year as well as to meet to review the proper offerings within each department. Course selection materials are then sent to the schools that send their students to Alvirne. These schools include Hudson Memorial and the Presentation of Mary Academy to name a few. Alvirne High School hosts their annual 8th Grade Parent night, which is a great opportunity for parents of the incoming freshman class to hear from the department heads regarding curriculum. That night also gives parents the opportunity to see the clubs, activities, and sports that are available for their students. Parents are also encouraged to sign up for a counseling appointment for early April. During these meetings the parents and student meet with their school counselor to complete the course selection process for the upcoming year. In early March the eighth graders are presented with key information regarding academic opportunities, academic expectations, extracurricular options, and


behavioral expectations. Once scheduling process for the incoming freshmen is complete, we look forward to the start of the new school year in the fall. Freshmen and their parents are welcomed to the school during Freshman First Night held typically the Thursday before school opens in September. Students receive a copy of their schedule and then follow an abbreviated bell schedule that night. This gives the student the ability to meet each teacher they have, find out where their classes are, find their locker, and just walk around Alvirne. Once the school year begins, Alvirne’s school counselors meet with every freshman through a variety of in class and individual appointments through mid year when the process resets itself for the next incoming class. Students are always welcome to meet with their counselor as needs arise and the counselors strongly encourage parent involvement at any time. It is this attention to detail we hope makes the move from middle school to high school


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Think Before Feeding Song Birds


Henry David Thoreau wrote about feeding birds at Walden Taylor Lemieux singing a solo Kate Masson singing a solo


Pond in the late 1840s. But Americans have enjoyed watching songbirds clean up our table scraps and waste grains even before then. But is inviting songbirds - and indirectly, other wildlife - closer to our homes a smart move? Are we compelling wild birds to become more dependent on or unnecessarily comfortable with people? Does feeding birds in winter create health risks for songbirds at a time of unquestioned vulnerability?


It all seems easy enough, but there really is a lot to consider before opening a winter bird feeding station on your property. For instance, feeders should be placed near cover to shield songbirds from avian predators, but at least 15 feet away from windows and groundcover roaming cats can hide in or behind. A bird coming to a feeding station in winter usually enters a heightened risk area because the chatter and commotion created by birds at feeders attracts cats on the ground and hawks from the air.


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