On Monday, June 10th in Garwood’s Lincoln School Gymnasium, faculty, students, families, and alumni celebrated the service of Marguerite Modero as the district’s Music Teacher for 35 years. The event entitled “Mrs. Modero’s Opus” was hosted by Heather Furstenburg-Linken, a teacher in the Garwood Public School system as well as a past student of Mrs. Modero.
The beginning of the program included a certificate presented by the School Board, a letter from an alumni, and a musical performance by alumni Jason Kresge. Mrs. Marguerite Modero was surprised with a performance of Whitney Houston’s One Moment in Time sung by a group of alumni whom graduated from as recently as 2008 into the 80’s. The night continued with Mrs. Modero speaking to the audience about her experience as a teacher. There were two picture slideshows played to show her time in Garwood. She also conducted the Garwood Public School Alma Matter as well as the school’s rendition of Katy Perry’s Firework in which the words are changed to fit the tone and goals of the school.
The night was filled with many memories shared by students and friends of all the times that Mrs. Modero impacted everyone’s lives. Heather Furstenburg-Linken said, “Mrs. Modero obviously impacted many students on her journey here in Garwood and I am truly one of the lucky ones. She planted the music and theater seed in me and it has been growing ever since. It is the end of an era that will never be forgotten.” Many of the stories and memories spoken of that evening were ones of the musical performances Mrs. Modero put on at the school. The shows are milestones in the school districts that every child looks forward to whatever role they play in the production process whether it be singing, acting, dancing, lights, or helping backstage.
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Superintendent Dr. Theresa Quigley quoted one of Mrs. Modero’s favorite sayings, “when there are no words, there is music” however she changed it to “when there are no words, there is Mrs. Modero.” Mrs. Modero was able to conduct her singers one last time with Peter C. Lutkin’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You. The finale of the night consisted of Mrs. Marguerite Modero performing The Way We Were from the musical Funny Girl.
