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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 2015)
18A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • February 25, 2015 Polk County Schools/Education SCHOOL NOTES Superintendent interviews continue The third act of “Our Town,” which portrays life and love in small town Grover’s Cor- ners, N.H., takes on a more somber and re- flective tone. Here, Emily Johnson seated in the front row sec- ond from left, and Doc Gibbs (Luke Dis- ney) take part in a scene near the end of the play. “Our Town “ will be in production Thursday through Saturday at Bollman Auditorium at Dallas High School. Shows are at 7 p.m. DALLAS — The Dallas School Board is conducting its initial interviews with superintendent candidates, but the community will soon be able to get to know who the finalists are. The board is scheduled to complete interviews with up to 10 candidates this week, followed by selection of the finalists and a public announcement. The district anticipates bringing its finalists to Dallas on March 5 and March 6 to meet with staff, students and community members. Second interviews also will be conducted at that time. On Feb. 16, a 27-member screening committee helped the board narrow down the applicant pool of 18 to those undergo- ing initial interviews. Several screeners will observe the inter- views and provide feedback; interviews are closed to the public. ‘Distinguished Educator’ selected JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer Dallas comes to ‘Our Town’ DHS winter play production includes a little hometown touch By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Even a simple life is worth living to the fullest, “every minute.” That is the lesson embed- ded in Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” which comes to the Bollman Auditorium stage Thursday through Sat- urday at Dallas High School. Life in Grover’s Corners, N.H., circa 1901, is nothing if not simple. Act 1 opens on a morning scene that could have taken place in any small town: milk and newspaper deliveries and children get- ting ready for school. For Dallas High’s produc- tion, the stage is outlined in a grid of Dallas streets, com- plete with the Polk County Courthouse in the center. “We had to put some of our town in ‘Our Town,’” said senior Kristen Crichlow, who plays Mrs. Gibbs. “I think (Grover’s Corners) is what Dallas would have been at the time.” It’s the barebones nature of the play that appealed to director Aaron Fawcett. Not JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Mrs. Webb (Selena Harris) and Emily Webb (Emily John- son) talk in a scene from Act 3 of “Our Town.” Written with little scenary and no props, the actors had to pantomime. only is “Our Town” set in a simple town, but it uses minimal scenery and props. “It’s just one of my favorite plays,” he said. Fawcett said the lack of a set and props allows the cast to focus more on their char- acters and how to portray their stories. “I like the simplicity,” he said. “Sometimes we get lost in the spectacle of things.” Not that simplicity is not without its challenges. Selena Harris, a senior who plays Mrs. Webb, said making gestures seem realis- tic without the benefit of props takes time to master. “I learned a lot about pan- tomime because it’s a mini- malist show,” she said. That sets the stage nicely for Wilder’s version of a clas- sic romantic story between main characters Emily Webb and George Gibbs. Stage manager — in “Our Town,” the stage manager is a character, an all-knowing narrator, not a technical role — Abby Garber said the play in the second act centers on their courtship. “They’ve been childhood friends for quite a while,” she said. “They’ve always no- ticed each other, but they are starting to think seriously about … .” “If they like each other more than just friends,” chimed in senior Joe Buhler, who plays George Gibbs. The love story turns into marriage and children sur- rounded by the charming characters in Grover’s Cor- ners. See “OUR TOWN,” Page 14A DALLAS — Kari Witt, a kindergarten teacher at Lyle Elementary School in Dallas, was presented the Dallas Distinguished Edu- cator Award for February on Friday. Amy Lieuallen, a parent of one of Witt’s students, nominated her. “I am impressed by the amount of learn- ing she can squeeze into a two-and-a-half hour day,” Lieuallen said, noting: “She pro- vides a fun learning environment for her Witt class and is extremely caring.” Witt’s students added: “She teaches us to be respectful, re- sponsible, and to make good choices.” The Distinguished Educator Program recognizes “excellence in teaching and learning” in Dallas School District schools. Central High to host annual Cabaret INDEPENDENCE — Central High School’s choir department is presenting its annual Cabaret on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the school’s auditorium and cafeteria. This year’s theme is “Back to the Future,” an evolution of music. The show will feature tunes from the 1950s through ’80s and beyond. The Cabaret is filled with choral music as well as solos and small groups. “It truly is a fun evening of fun music,” said CHS choir director Jeff Witt. “It is one of our major fundraisers for the choral de- partment each year.” Admission is $7 for high school students and younger; $10 for adults or $80 for a table of eight, including premium seating and personal service. Tickets include the show and dessert. For more information: 503-838-0480; www.chsperformin- garts.org. Teachers receive foundation grants MONMOUTH — The Maps Credit Union Community Founda- tion has awarded education mini-grants to three teachers in the Central School District. Teachers applied for funding through a competitive process, and priority was given to projects that promote financial edu- cation and college preparedness. Receiving grant awards were: • Hope Mwaniki, Ash Creek Elementary, Monmouth — $250 for the take-home library. Funds will be used to purchase a va- riety of leveled reading books so that students can take a book home and read 20 minutes per day. • Jessie Padilla, Ash Creek Elementary, Monmouth — $250 for wiggle seats. Funds will be used to purchase wiggle seats so that students can move and wiggle, resulting in increased focus and engagement. • Martina Rincon Ochoa, Monmouth Elementary —$249 for mini iPad purchase. Funds will be used to purchase a mini iPad that will used to download Raz-kids reading program and IXL math program.