ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Arts-focused students in Allentown are warming up for a showcase Saturday night.
It will be the 14th annual High Notes Gala, a fundraiser held by the Allentown School District Foundation, set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Americus Hotel on Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Foundation Interim Director Vicki Newhard said the lineup is nothing short of dazzling.
“It’s not limited to jazz,” Newhard said.
“There will be some of that, but the main types of entertainment — there will be two choral groups, two musical theater, two dance, instrumental music, and — what do they call that? Slam poetry. And a stage crew of students.”
The groups are all from Allentown School District schools: Building 21, Dieruff High School and William Allen High School.
“It’s not limited to jazz. There will be some of that, but the main types of entertainment – there will be two choral groups, two musical theater, two dance, instrumental music, and -- what do they call that? Slam poetry, and a stage crew of students.”Vicki Newhard, Interim Director, ASD Foundation
The Gala also is set to feature a special guest: musician Richie Pena, a graduate of William Allen High School.
"He's back in town," Newhard said. "[Pena] lives in the Lehigh Valley area, and he's really been drawn to our mission.
"And, you know, he's helping to mentor students in music in the high schools, and he's going to be playing at [the High Notes Gala]. He is our guest of honor."
The event is sold out, but ASD still is accepting other contributions in the form of sponsorships. More information about that is availableon its website.
Jazzed up
In advance of the event, some ASD school students were asked to answer the writing prompt: "I'm jazzed up about..."
The results were printed on postcards and made it into the printed materials for the Gala. Some shed light on the role extra-curricular activities play in the morale and attitude of students.
"I’m jazzed about surrounding myself with other creative people to uplift, support and influence me in exploring my journey with the unconventional."Kellissa, and 11tth grade student at Dieruff High School
"I’m jazzed about surrounding myself with other creative people to uplift, support and influence me in exploring my journey with the unconventional," a student identified as Kellissa in Grade 11 at Dieruff High School wrote.
Another quote, this one from a Raub Middle School seventh-grader named Darlin, read: “I’m jazzed about all of the fun activities granted to students in the ASD.”
According to Newhard, the students in these postcards, whether or not they know it, are expressing gratitude for funds raised by the Allentown School District Foundation.
"So you could just tell by these cards — like, no one said, 'I'm jazzed about doing multiplication,'" Newhard said with a laugh.
"Well, maybe they are — but they would be talking more about programs like a STEM program, where they get to build a cardboard city, or you know, build something with Legos.
"But they're imagining all the things that make school fun. It really kind of sums everything up that we're trying to do."
