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SHOWING THEIR PEP By DENISE CLAY
The Bensalem High School Marching Band took first place in its division at the Sugar Bowl/Bowl Games of America band competition in New Orleans on Monday.
Bensalem's Marching Owls were named the best band in Group I, which is for bands of 70 or fewer students.
The band took top honors for outstanding music, outstanding marching and maneuvering and outstanding general effect with its performance of "Tulsa: A Portrait in Oil." Honors also went to the band's drum line, color guard and drum major.
The band did better than expected, band director Douglas Fitzgerald said from New Orleans yesterday. "I never know what's going to happen at these competitions, but they blew everyone away," he said.
After the competition, the band performed in the gazebo of the New Orleans Riverwalk and on Jackson Square in the city.
About 70 Bensalem band members made the trip to New Orleans for the competition, which was held as part of the festivities for tonight's Nokia Sugar Bowl. Bensalem will be part of a 3,000-member group that will perform during the game's halftime show.
Some Bensalem parents also will participate in the halftime show, said Diane Mastrovito, president of the Bensalem band booster club. They'll help with one of the props for the show, which focuses on America's heritage.
The Nokia Sugar Bowl, featuring Georgia vs. Florida State, will be aired on Channel 6 at 7:30 p.m. today.
Band members left Sunday for the competition and have done some sightseeing between performances. They had dinner on the Natchez paddleboat, toured New Orleans and attended a New Year's Eve party at Mardi Gras World last night.
Denise Clay can be reached at 215-949-4195 or dclay@phillyBurbs.com.
Denise Clay can be reached at 215-949-4195 or dclay@phillyBurbs.com.
High school senior Christine Mastrovito is heading to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C., next month. By DENISE CLAY
Forensic science has been popular on television for a long time. From "Quincy" to "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," millions have been transfixed by television's scientists-turned-investigators as they get to the bottom of crimes ranging from robbery to murder.
If she has her way, Christine Mastrovito will make a living doing the real thing one day.
From the moment she read an article on fingerprinting and medical testing and how they were used in solving crimes, Christine, a senior at Bensalem High School, was hooked on forensic science.
The practice applies science to the law, according to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. In criminal cases, forensic scientists search for and examine physical evidence, such as hair, blood, bodily fluids and fibers that might be useful in solving a crime.
"I've read forensic books and have seen all of the different cases. I knew that this was what I really wanted to do," she said.
"Every year for Christmas or her birthday, she's asked for these types of books," said her mother, Diane.
Now, Christine has been invited to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C.
From Oct. 14 to 19, she will join 405 of her peers from across the nation on tours of the White House and the FBI, the CIA and other agencies important to national defense.
The National Youth Leadership Forum taps high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds who show academic promise, leadership potential and an interest in the law, national security or medicine, according to the group's Web site, www.nylf.org.
The delegates are selected by educators, forum alumni, youth organization advisers, participating institutions and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions' Talent Identification Program, a voluntary program.
Christine was discovered through the Talent Identification Program, which is a part of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, she said. She is still trying to decide where she will attend college.
Christine had never heard of the program before receiving the invitation. So she asked her mom to check it out. Diane Mastrovito did and is excited now about the opportunity the program affords her daughter.
"This is such an important field, especially since Sept. 11," Diane Mastrovito said. "Forensics played a big role there. [The forum] is a way for her to really get into a field she's been into for so long."
The program costs $1,500. That covers tuition, room and board and transportation to the forum. Christine is raising money toward her costs. She worked at the Giant supermarket and Nifty Fifty's restaurant, both on Street Road in Bensalem, this summer.
She's also soliciting contributions. Donations may be sent to the National Youth Leadership Forum, 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006-1811. Please indicate that the contribution is on behalf of Christine Mastrovito. Or contact Christine directly at CDMastrovito@comcast.net or 267-872-0085.
Denise Clay can be reached at 215-949-4195 or dclay@phillyBurbs.com.
September 08, 2002 |
BENSALEM Throughout his 16 years as Bensalem High School's band director, Douglas Fitzgerald has proven that with a lot of hard work and determination, you can go anywhere - even on TV. By DENISE CLAY
But it wasn't always that way.
When Doug Fitzgerald, the school's band director, took over the program in 1986, the band had some problems.
It had been operating without a director for quite a while. There were only 42 students participating and at one performance the band was greeted with stony silence, broken only by the clapping of a school administrator in the audience.
Fitzgerald called a meeting with remaining band members.
"I asked them if they liked where they were, and where they wanted to be. We moved forward and the band grew," Fitzgerald said.
Gary Papazian, a popular music teacher and a band director at Council Rock High School, was one of Fitzgerald's students that year. He remembered the time well.
"The band was just re-starting and he had to do everything by himself. He didn't have as many helpers as he does now," Papazian said.
But in just four years, the band began a tradition of winning that continues today. It started with regional championships and won all of the awards at a band competition held during the 1990 Super Bowl, held in New Orleans, Papazian said.
Since then, the band and accompanying color guard have won eight regional titles, six state titles and five international championships. In addition to playing in the Super Bowl, the band has played at Walt Disney World, the Blockbuster Bowl, and in a competition in the Bahamas, Fitzgerald said.
This year, the band will head back to New Orleans to appear in the halftime show at the Nokia Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. They will be part of a group that includes 15 of the best high school bands in the country.
While all of the bands will be participating in the halftime show, a competition will be held to see which gets to open the festivities by performing its own routine at the Sugar Bowl's pre-game show.
"We're going to have to be good," Fitzgerald said. "I'm proud of the kids and of the program because we got an invitation. I hope that the kids will feel that, too."
When you talk about Fitzgerald to students past and present, two words pop up - motivation and discipline.
The band began its summer practices on June 25, the last day of school. Throughout July, students will practice two nights a week for three hours and learn the new routine for "Tulsa," the musical selection the band will play this fall.
And that's all before the band begins camp on Aug. 19.
"You can't slack," said Laura Nowicki, 16. "There's always someone behind you. You push yourself."
"What he teaches is simple, but it makes sense," said Jeff Cattie, 17. "You can apply it to everyday things."
"He was very demanding, but very fun to work with," Papazian said. "He motivated you to be the best that you can be and encouraged you to reach your goals."
The discipline that Fitzgerald has instilled in his students manifested itself most while the teachers were on strike earlier this year.
Although Fitzgerald wasn't able to help them prepare for competition because of the strike, the students were ready by the time school reopened and the band's annual Parade of Colors competition was set to begin.
"They had been practicing while the strike was going on," Fitzgerald said. "When we got back, I met with the captains and we hit the ground running. They were very organized. We made the finals and were 11th on the East Coast."
While he began his time with the band working alone, Fitzgerald has picked up lots of help along the way. In addition to assistant band director Brian Gilbert, Fitzgerald has a group of about 12 technicians who assist with everything from showing kids the way to line up in formation to showing them how to march and play their instruments without hurting themselves or someone else.
The helpers' salaries are financed through fund-raising done by the Band Booster Club, whose president, Diane Mastrovito, praises Fitzgerald's desire to cooperate with the students and parents.
"He is a pleasure," she said. "We work as a team so that we can accomplish things for the students."
"He really cares about the kids," said Mastrovito's daughter, Christine, 17. "He's a really cool guy."
Two of those technicians are former students: Greg Lehman, who coaches the drum line, and Shawn Mark, who helps with marching and music.
What they got from the experience went far beyond the trips and awards, they say.
"The good thing about this activity is that you learn more than just about music, you learn about life," said Lehman, who is an engineer. "I got more out of it than just a musical experience. You get to handle and learn about pressure and how to deal with it."
"You develop self-confidence, but especially leadership. You're forced to look at yourself more closely and evaluate yourself," said Mark, who is now a special education teacher at Russell C. Struble Elementary School in Bensalem.
Fitzgerald said he's proud to know kids say he's helped them be their best, but said they are the ones who should take credit.
"These kids are no-nonsense. When it's time to work, they work. That's why employers and colleges like our kids. It's because they're disciplined."
Denise Clay can be reached at 215-949-4195 or dclay@phillyBurbs.com.
June 30, 2002 |
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Our 2004-05 Music Boosters Officers |
And Music Directors |
Chuck DiGregorio - Asst. Director of Bands | |
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