Auditorium Named for Former Superintendent

The auditorium at Peekskill Middle School was renamed Thursday, May 19, for a former superintendent of schools during a ceremony before the spring concert.

The Judith Johnson Auditorium for the Performing Arts honors the veteran Peekskill schools chief for “her dedication to the children of Peekskill and to the power of the performing arts in education,” according to a plaque presented to Johnson, who retired Jan. 4 after leading the district since 2001.

The school, which was built during Johnson’s tenure, represents “a lot of hard work … to make it possible for us to be here tonight,” said Michael Simpkins, president of the Board of Education, who presented her with a bouquet of flowers. “She did an outstanding job for our district. Judith, we love you.”

“It’s a tough road, a tough but happy road, to fill Judith Johnson’s shoes,” said Dr. Larry Licopoli, interim superintendent of schools since she retired. “It takes vision, courage, energy and, at the end of the day, pride,” he said as he presented Johnson with a white T-shirt emblazoned with “Peekskill Pride” in red lettering.

Johnson, who is noted for her passion for the arts, praised the district’s “phenomenal staff in the performing arts” and cited the power of the arts to transcend boundaries and enable children to shed their inhibitions. “Find your place in the arts,” she encouraged the student performers and the audience.

Dr. David Fine, principal, took a musical theme in his welcoming remarks, noting that schools, like music, rely on the contributions of each person or instrument to produce harmonies. Even the printed program echoed the arts theme, with quotes about the value of the arts sprinkled among the names of student musicians and the works they performed.

The Peekskill Middle School Chorus led off the musical portion of the evening, with its director, Lawrence Del Casale, observing with evident pride that it was the first performance in the “Judith Johnson Auditorium for the Performing Arts.” Also performing, under the direction of David Thomas, were the Peekskill 8th Grade Band, the Peekskill Middle School Select Band and the Peekskill Middle School Band.