Pledge: Sam Fulginiti
Prayer: Rev. Edward M. Cornell
Cards: Kathy Callinan
Raffle: Guests and Dr. Eugene Sapozhnikov
Happy Bucks: Happy for Students, Faculty, Administrators, Parents and other Guests; Brian DeBlasiis’ for the 60-degree Temperatures, Boston Red Sox, Spring Break, blue birds and other harbingers of Spring; and Old Saybrook High School Graduation date set for June 20th.
Sad Bucks: New York Yankees
Program: Student of the Month: Fine Arts. Jan Perruccio, Old Saybrook Superintendent of Schools, described how the high school arts programs have evolved over the years. She then introduced the administrators, teachers and students from the Westbrook, Lyme/Old Lyme and Old Saybrook School Districts.
L-R: Courtney Parrish, Samantha Hart, Alexander Williams
Lyme/Old Lyme High School: Alexander Williams, Junior – Fine Arts. Presented by Jeanne Manfredi, Assistant Principal, and Mr. William Allik, Art Teacher. Alexander was described as a “Renaissance Man” who works behind the scenes. He is passionate about history and Spanish scholar and is independently studying German and writing a novel. Mr. Allik explained that the nature of AP art is to branch out and express your own vision. Yet Alexander is a leader among his colleagues and helps define the character of his classes by learning and inquiring. Alexander is also a risk taker in the art room and supports others. Mr. Allik displayed an oil painting that was Alexander’s first piece painted by observation.
Westbrook High School: Courtney Parrish, Senior – Performing Arts. Presented by Tara Winch, Principal, and Rachael Allen, Art Teacher. Courtney was described as an accomplished student and musician who is compassionate about her music and regularly works with others. Her studies include piano, music series classes, chorus, and jazz and rock and she is a member of the National Honor Society. Her credits include performances in Sydney, Australia and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Courtney will matriculate in the fall of 2018 at Central Connecticut State University where she plans to earn a degree in music education and with a major in vocal.
Old Saybrook High School: Samantha Hart, Senior – Fine Arts. Presented by Sheila Riffle, Principal, and Sara Menga, Art Teacher. Samantha has been a member of the art club for her entire four years of high school and was described by Ms. Menga as being able to focus closely on what is important and being adept at capturing anatomy and fantasy worlds. Samantha expects to matriculate in the fall of 2018 at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.
Business Meeting:
Request from Shoreline Chefs to Support Meals on Wheels: Presented by Sam Fulginiti. Shoreline Chefs has been supported by the Club for many years and has requested $500. There was a discussion among the membership of the Club’s past support. After the discussion, the Club voted to continue the support in the amount of $500.
Transfer of $2,750 from Outreach budget to Scholarship budget: Presented by Brian DeBlasiis. The Outreach budget currently has excess funds and Brian proposed that the Club approve a transfer of $2,500 from the Outreach budget to the Scholarship budget thereby increasing the 2018 scholarship fund from $25,000 to 27,500. In past years, the scholarships have ranged from $500 to $2,500 and are paid prior to the beginning of the finalists’ freshman year. The candidates in the current year are quite strong. 16 candidates will be interviewed by the committee before the final recipients are selected. The proposed increase in the Scholarship budget will allow for increased scholarships.
There was a discussion among the membership of the award process. Factors that are considered include need (based on the review of each applicant’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid), scholarship, and community service. It was emphasized that transparency and objectivity of the award process is critical and that all factors need to be set forth on the Club’s website and in the application materials. The committee will also make recommendations regarding the eligibility of Club members’ children which will be set forth in future application materials.
After the discussion, the Club voted to transfer $2,500 from the Outreach budget to the Scholarship budget.
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