Students, staff shares Christmas spirit at Lew-Port
Middle School Holiday Tour

Photos and story by Paula D. Jones
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, December 17, 2005

Beverly VanDeusen, Middle School guidance office secretary, helps a young guest attach his name to the World Peace Globe as a wish for Peace on Earth.

As lights dimmed and the melodies of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” sounded, the Lewiston Porter Middle School “World Peace Globe” slowly rose toward the ceiling, expressing the students’, faculty’s and community’s fervent wish for world peace at the fourth annual Lew-Port Middle School Winter Holiday Tour, held on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Before the ceremony, students and staff had placed paper doves with their names on them on the ball and invited parents and other guests to do the same, making the wish for peace a personal one from everyone in attendance.

The peace ceremony, coordinated by Middle School instructors Mrs. Shirley Hunt, Mrs. Marie Marwedel, Mrs. Daria Marinucci, Miss Liz Nobel, and Mrs. Beverley VanDeusen, was the highlight and finale of the annual Middle School Holiday Tour. The tour provides Middle School students an opportunity to show off their school and gives parents and the Lew-Port community the chance to get a feel of what it means to be a part of the school. “It showcases the students’ work and brings the parents and the community together,” said Liz Nobel, a counselor at the school.

Student Talents

During the tour, those attending were offered plenty of opportunities to experience the many facets of middle-school life. Each grade showcased their talents and accomplishments with a wide variety of exhibits and activities. For example, sixth-graders in Mrs. Linda Harvey’s Advisory and Enrichment groups sold poinsettias, with proceeds going to animal shelters. Students also collected canned goods to donate to the Women’s and Children’s Center.

In another exhibit, there was an Egyptian Museum to visit, complete with hands-on activities. Mrs. Annette Wall’s reading students had recreated Egyptian-style items, and Mrs. Joy Khatib helped guests make Egyptian-style jewelry boxes. In another room, Mrs. Vicki Filicetti’s Advisory Group, along with Mrs. Miles, invited visitors to learn more about their pop-can tab drive. The proceeds benefited the Ronald McDonald House in Buffalo. Students also sold pop for a small donation.

Farther down, Mrs. Anna Lewis, Mrs. Karen Pax and Mrs. Elizabeth Buck sold holiday treats as a fund-raiser for the Science Club, and Miss Lisa Scelsa directed members of the Drama Club in several skits. The sixth-graders also provided musical accompaniment to the whole event by singing holiday tunes throughout the hallways, directed by Mr. Ivan Albright.

Visitors Partake

Seventh-graders gave visitors the opportunity to join Mrs. Sharon George in making a Victorian holiday lantern ornament in one room or create snowflake window ornaments with Mrs. Wilson and Miss Duvall in another. Guests could also make holiday ornaments out of recycled puzzle pieces or a pretzel wreath with Miss Diane Hudson and Mrs. Amy Golden and view the research-based science projects Mrs. Elizabeth Truax’s students had on display in the 700 Wing.

Eighth-grade Student Council members served as Bingo callers for Holiday Bingo with Mrs. Kandis Adelizi, Mrs. Denise Karnath and Mrs. Maureen Castiglione. Foreign-language students sang holiday songs in French and Spanish along with their teachers, Miss Eileen Lapp and Mrs. Michelle Ellis. Visitors could also sample some ethnic cuisine while singing along.

Mrs. Maura Bruno, Mrs. Joanne Drachenberg and Mr. Ricotta and their students showed visitors how to make holiday crafts such as beaded key chains and ornaments and also demonstrated how to make a stamped bookmark.

In Mr. Joseph Brautman’s room, everyone was challenged to discover how the human mind works automatically to solve a puzzling spelling mystery. Finally, Mr. Richard Sweeney’s students had their political cartoons on display. The cartoons cover topics they have studied this year, ranging from the settling of the Western frontier to World War I.

Holiday Shopping

Visitors also had the opportunity to get a jump on their holiday shopping by visiting the Book Fair in the library and listening to Mrs. Eileen Anderson’s music students play holiday favorites while they shopped. Real music enthusiasts could visit Miss Linda Schilk’s room to learn how to become a published composer or just try their hand at playing the Orff instruments. Art buffs could go to Mrs. Cathy Burns and Mrs. Theresa Savery’s room to see their students’ artwork on display. Those with NASCAR dreams could bring their CO2 car to Mr. Greg Ferrand’s room for racing. Just for fun, you could have your face painted, make a Candy Count-Down Ribbon or play the Reindeer Guessing Game, all hosted by Mrs. Gretchen Carella, Mr. David Sicoli and the members of the National Honor Society.

In the cafeteria, opportunities to contribute to worthy causes abounded, and included a raffle to benefit Women and Children’s Hospital. For a $1 donation, visitors received five chances to win a basket donated by students and staff. Also, the PTSA sold pizza, pop and treats at their Holiday Café.

Students, staff and the Lew-Port community left the event knowing they had experienced a little bit of middle-school life, expressed their wishes for world peace, and contributed to worthy causes, all while having a great time.