Whiting School Spring Concert Full of Surprises

The first, third and fifth graders of Whiting Elementary School performed in their annual Spring Arts Festival on May 26 under the direction on Mr. Timothy Apgar.

The concert began with select fifth grade graders unveiling their ‘Secret Project,’  the Journey song Don't Stop Believin’, which they played on keyboards and band instruments, singing the vocals and playing the new guitars which were awarded to the Whiting School through a grant from the Manchester Twp. Educational Foundation (MTEF). The fifth graders were so enthusiastic about their ‘Project’ that they gave up some of their recess to practice with Mr. Apgar to prepare for the concert.

Then the first and third graders came onto the stage and performed selections from The Lion King like The Circle of Life, I Just Can't Wait to be King, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata and Can You Feel the Love Tonight.  Several students were featured as soloists.  After the first and third graders were done singing, the third graders performed Ode to Joy, When the Saints Go Marching In and a Gavotte on their recorders/flutophones. 

The grand finale of the Whiting Elementary School Spring Arts Festival was the annual fifth grade play of Shh! We're Writing the Constitution directed by the fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Loreen Reiman and Mrs. Shari Buhnerkemper, with the assistance of Mr. Apgar.  At the end of the concert, Mrs. Marjorie Stevens, Principal, announced that Mrs. Agnes Hawley, a basic skills teacher who previously taught fifth grade and appeared as the Town Crier in the Constitution play for many years, is retiring. The fifth graders surprised her by singing a special song composed by the students and staff to wish her a happy retirement. 

The concert was well received by the audience that filled the gym to capacity with standing room only.

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