SARATOGA COUNTY — Cindy Hollowood was recently named Co-Executive Director of Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar (SSAS), current Executive Director Jim LaVigne announced. Hollowood will serve alongside LaVigne for one year before becoming the new Executive Director. LaVigne will continue with the organization as a board member concentrating on program development and fundraising.

“This is a bittersweet decision for me, but I believe it’s time.  The past 13 years have been wonderful, and I have loved every aspect of this job, but I needed to put a succession plan in place.  For the past three years, the board has discussed finding a suitable replacement, and we’ve spent countless hours reviewing the key requirements of the position and potential candidates,”
LaVigne explained.

Hollowood said the she has been impressed with the work of SASS since they first began.

“Anything we can do as a community to help deserving students overcome the barriers that prevent them from getting a college education, we should do. The program has done a remarkable job. There are participants of the SASS program succeeding in high school, college and in life because of the effort and commitment of the program’s board, mentors and volunteers.  These young people will change the world, and they have the program to thank for that. I am humbled and very happy that Jim and the SASS board think I can continue to grow what they have so successfully nurtured for these 13 years,” she said. 

Hollowood just finished a 38-year career as Managing Partner of the Saratoga Holiday Inn. While at the Holiday Inn, Hollowood served in a variety of leadership roles in the community and the hospitality industry. Her community involvement includes serving on the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board, the Special Assessment District, the boards of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and the Saratoga Race Course Community Advisory Committee. She was a founding member and three-time chair of the board of the Saratoga Convention Bureau and Chaired the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, the Saratoga America Red Cross and the Saratoga Next Step Downtown Redevelopment Committee. 

Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar’s ninth class graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2019.  All 84 graduates have been accepted into college.  For more information go to the Saratoga Sponsor A Scholar website: www.saratogasponsorascholar.org   

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Spring High School Drama Club will present Shrek the Musical on Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m., Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday March 14 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The performances will be held in the Loewenberg Auditorium at Saratoga Springs High School.

Based on the Oscar-winning animation film, Shrek the Musical is a Tony-award-winning fairytale adventure, featuring all the beloved characters you know from the film. Shrek is a musical joy children and adults will love.

Ticket prices are $15 for reserved seats, $12 for adult general seating, and $7 for students and senior general seating. Seats are available online starting March 1 at brownpapertickets.com or at the door one-hour before the performance. Reserved seating is only available online.

“Rehearsals are going great! It’s a wonderful show about acceptance and accepting people for who they are. The musical itself is a great musical,” said director Bob Berenis.

Berenis has directed for Saratoga Springs Drama Club for the last 21 years.

“When I announced the show, I was a little ambivalent, I thought some kids would like it and some wouldn’t, but they screamed so loudly I had to cover my ears. They were so excited,” he laughed.

Parents and community members have been on hand to help build the sets, which are massive. 

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THE CAST:
Shrek – Kai Farr
Donkey – Spencer Boyce
Fiona – Katy Hawthorne
Lord Farquaad – Liam Epstein
Pinocchio – Phineas Goodman
Gingy/Sugarplum Fairy – Maria Sablich
Dragon – Tessa Rivenburg
Dragon at Saturday Matinee – Sarah Trimmings
Young Fiona – Ainsley Martell
Teenage Fiona – Mira DeGregory
Young Shrek/Dwarf – Kylee Martin
Papa Ogre – Teddy Vandeven
Mama Ogre – Maddy Mergl
King Harold – Ethan Crowley
Queen Lillian – Tessa Rivenburg
Wolf – Ethan Crowley
3 Blind Mice – Sarah Trimmings, Mira DeGregory, Maddy Mergl
Ugly Duckling – Molly Egan
Fairy Godmother – Margaret Scala
Humpty Dumpty – Skye Vilca
Wicked Witch – Izzy Pipino
Mama Bear – Grace Davis
Papa Bear – Teddy Vandeven
Baby Bear – Sabrina Martin
Mad Hatter – Alex Lippincott
3 Pigs – Ainsley Martell, Maddie Cook, Sofia Bolier
Elf – Lucas Pelletier
Peter Pan – Eli Jaques
Bishop – Max Novik
Pied Piper/Dance Captain – Sophia Sulkin
Thelonius – Amelie Przedwiecki
Captain – Siobhan Rogers-Harrigton

ENSEMBLE:
Madeline Slavett
Trinity Taylor
Amelia Winn
Max Novik
Kate Lindley
Anabelle Brueggeman
Samantha Corrigan
Graciella Dorsey
Yliana Syed
Fiona Taylor
Amy Vich
Elle Wilcox
Naava Wilson

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at the Maple Ave. Middle School in the Large Group Room on the second floor, Jaimen McMillan will be presenting on anxiety and depression. The event is free and open to the public.   

Depression is not about being sad. Depression paralyzes the will. Sufferers feel powerless…hopeless…and see no possibility of moving on. Anxiety is gripping a growing number of children who instead of joy and wonder, experience unfounded fear and trepidation. Among the many factors involved in depression and anxiety, perhaps the most overlooked component is the element of space.   The prevailing definition of the human being is so narrow and confining that its delineation is a likely cause of depression. This lecture on Depression and Anxiety will expand this constricting concept. We will experiment with Spacial Dynamics® exercises and experience that the human being is meant to be a free individual who can learn to live in many different spaces. Each space allows for opportunities and possibilities that the others do not.   Depression and anxiety do not know age-barriers. Children, teens, and adults all suffer from these afflictions. They share the complaint of feeling trapped. 

This lecture is for those who want to learn to recognize spatial patterns that immobilize. It is for those who want to create and establish new spaces and dynamics that allow for healthy choice, wholesome human interaction, and ultimately, to unrestricted use of their own wills.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Opera Saratoga will present Opera-To-Go performances of Jack and the Beanstalk to over 50 public and private schools throughout the region from February 24 to March 28. Each year, Opera Saratoga tours a production to schools throughout the greater Capital Region and lower Adirondack regions of NY, and the lower Hudson Valley. The performances feature charismatic professional artists who love to share their joy of music and theater through opera, as well as through question and answer sessions where students have the opportunity to meet the artists and learn about the music and what it takes to put on a performance. In a world where the default forms of entertainment for children are primarily television, video games and the internet, Opera Saratoga’s Opera-to-Go program provides youth with an all-too-rare opportunity to experience the visceral thrill of the live performing arts, up close and personal.

 Opera Saratoga Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson has once again hired a former directing fellow of the company’s nationally acclaimed Young Artist program to direct the new production.

“David Toro is a very talented emerging director who served as the Assistant Director on our critically acclaimed productions of Falstaff and The Cradle Will Rock during our 2017 Summer Festival. He recently made his directing debut with Minnesota Opera directing Jonathan Dove’s Flight, and has created for us a whimsical production of the classic fairytale that provides a wonderful introduction to the world of opera for children,” said Edelson.

Opera Saratoga’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk is an adaptation of Joseph Jacob’s classic tale, featuring music from the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Adapted by Jon Davies and sung in English, Jack and the Beanstalk takes students on an adventure that will delight and enchant, all while teaching them important life lessons. “Our Opera-to-Go productions provide students with an introduction to opera through stories that they are already familiar with,” said Edelson. “Through this production, students are exposed to operatic music and classical singing, while exploring the important themes of trusting your instincts, and living with honor and integrity.”

Opera Saratoga’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk will feature soprano Tessa McQueen, tenor Andrew McGowan, and bass-baritone Christopher Seefeldt. Nicholas Pothier serves as music director and the narrator for the production.

In addition to in-school performances of Jack and Beanstalk, Opera Saratoga has increased the number of free public performances offered to the community on the weekends. Opera Saratoga’s increased investment in free community performances ensures that families throughout the region have access to opera. Performance dates, times and venues for the free performances are as follows:

• Schuylerville Public Library
  Saturday, March 7 @ 2:30 p.m.
  52 Ferry Street, Schuylerville

• Saratoga Springs Public Library
  Saturday, March 14 @ 2 p.m.
  49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs

BALLSTON SPA — Ten teams from the Ballston Spa Central School District will participate in the Region 6 Odyssey of the Mind Competition hosted by the Queensbury Union Free School District on February 29, 2020. Over 300 students on 48 teams from 14 regional school districts have creatively worked to solve this year’s problems and are ready to perform for judges, parents and supporters. This year’s problems include Longshot Solution, Net Working, The Effective Detective, Balsa Limbo, Gibberish or Not and The Fashion Bug. On competition day, every team will also work together to solve a secret spontaneous problem presented by the judges.  Their combined scores determine their final ranking and if they will advance to the New York State competition.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving competition for students of all ages. It encourages students to use their imaginations and work together in school teams to solve various challenges. Each team has an advisor or volunteer adult coach to help manage the team and prepare for the competition, arrange logistics and submit the entry forms. However, the students make all the decisions regarding costumes, props, and their approach to solving and performing the problems. 

The Region 6 Odyssey of the Mind Tournament is coordinated by the WSWHE BOCES Enrichment Resource Center. The snow date for the competition is March 1, 2020. Students from the Ballston Spa teams who qualify will attend the New York State competition on April 4, 2020 in Binghamton. Additional information is available at www.odysseyofthemind.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mrs. Sherry Knotek has been technology and S.T.E.M. teacher at St. Clement’s School for 22 years and has been given generous grants to help expand the minds of her students. The S.T.E.M. program has been in existence for the last five years and the technology program has been around for all of Knotek’s tenure.

“We are so blessed here. We have a S.T.E.M. lab and we are a Project Lead the Way school, which is a national program that they continue on with at Saratoga high school. It’s basically an engineering program. For instance, our kids do augmented reality, they do virtual reality, we have 3D printers, we have a connection with the New England Aquarium and our 5th graders dissect sharks. We also have a huge robotics program, we have four different robots that the kids learn coding with,” Knotek explained, listing just a few of the things the S.T.E.M. lab has for her students.

These tech and engineering programs are available, in various forms, to every student at the school from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

“Oh my gosh! It’s great to be a teacher in this classroom because they never complain about coming here,” she laughed.

Funding is provided by The Higher Power Learning Grant via the Albany Diocese and other various small private grants.

“S.T.E.M. just gets them ready for the world that they are going to live in that doesn’t even exist today. If they can become independent thinkers and think with an engineering mind, then I think I have succeeded,” Knotek concluded.

Maple Ave. Middle School staff and student council members involved in the opening/creation of the kindness closet. Photos by SuperSource Media, LLC.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On February 14, Maple Avenue Middle School opened their Kindness Closet. This is for students in need of clothing, school supplies, and other personal care items. All items were donated and collected by students. This is led by members of the Student Council and their advisors. This school-wide program is run on donations only. Everything is free for the students who need it.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Please consider supporting two local organizations and one local business on Leap of Kindness Day Saturday, February 29, 2020! Shop at Northshire Bookstore Saratoga on February 29 and March 1 to help support Saratoga Independent School and WellSpring.

When you mention Saratoga Independent School at checkout, Northshire will donate 20% of your total sale back to the school. Money raised at the Book Fair will go towards the school’s Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is used to directly enhance and support the student experience at SIS. It is also used to support financial aid, equipment upgrades, teacher professional development opportunities, and enrichment and enhancements above and beyond what can be provided by tuition alone.

While at Northshire, consider purchasing books to donate to children in need. Many times, people leaving a domestic violence relationship are forced to leave behind many of their personal belongings. This can be extremely difficult, especially for their children. Having a new book allows families the opportunity to bond and momentarily escape from what is happening. Your support will help Wellspring clients in so many ways as they transition to safety and a new beginning.

Collection bins will be located at the register inside Northshire for the entire weekend.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — WSWHE BOCES Adult Literacy program will host Steps to Success, an event for adults, on Wednesday, February 26 and Thursday, March 5 at two local libraries. Program directors from Adult Literacy and Employment Training for Adults (ETA) departments will discuss the advantages of the programs and give insights into the High School Equivalency program, learning a skilled trade, as well as courses and programs to help adults advance their careers.

“Steps to Success provides an opportunity for individuals to explore pathways that can lead to sustained life changes. Whether it’s obtaining a high school equivalency diploma, or training for a new career, participants can learn about programs and courses that can help to create lasting and rewarding life changes,” says Turina M. Parker, Ed.D., Executive Director for Educational and Support Programs.

Join on either date or location: Wednesday, February 26 at 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, in the Dutcher Community Room.Thursday, March 5 at 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, in the Holden Room. Attendees should pre-register online at forms.gle/KsV8BXqfYs3y56d66.