Bellmore-Merrick schools: Presentations, performance highlight Board Appreciation Month

Members of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s fine and performing arts classes presented artwork and offered a musical performance that reflects this year’s theme of The Power of Yet.

“We wanted to present something to show our gratitude for the commitment you show to our children and this district,” Cheryl Fontana, the director of fine & performing arts and adult education, said of the presentations and performance.

Heather Lohr’s students from the district’s Prep Academy helped unveil an artistic creation from 2020, which was never presented because of the shutdown.

The optical artwork was created by students in Art 2 and utilizes a special technique that allows people to view different versions, depending on the angle.

Dana Brandwein, a music teacher at Merrick Avenue Middle School, led the vocal group Word of Mouth in a peppy rendition of Lady GaGa’s “Born This Way.”

Both art clubs from Grand and Merrick Avenue Middle Schools collaborated to create a collage forming the word YET which referenced the book “The Magical Yet.” It was a gift from Superintendent Michael Harrington to all district staff members at the beginning of the school year.

Each image was illustrated by the students, demonstrating their “yet,” under the advisement of art teachers Heather Cordeira and Nick Giordano organized the effort.

“Your support helps these kids reach their ‘yet,’” Giordano said.

Harrington added the opportunities that Bellmore-Merrick gives kids that prepare them for the rest of their lives doesn’t happen without the steadfast support of the board of education.

“It is an honor to serve them and I could not be more fortunate to work with such kind, good-hearted, bright-minded individuals who serve as role models for the entire Bellmore-Merrick community,” he said.