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NEWS
FROM OIL DRUM ART
DRUMS FOR TROOPS CEREMONY
(Seated -- Left to right)
Colonel John Whitford, Connecticut National Guard; Dr, Arnold Frank,
Principal Woodland Regional High School; Therese Conroy, State Representative
for District #105; Jack Lardis at the lectern, Chairman Drums For Troops.
Mattatuck Drum Band
of Waterbury, CT, performed a medley of military of music.
Naugatuck Valley
students and artists who painted 19 “Drums For Troops” at the Woodland
Regional High School Auditorium. (photos - Rockwell Studios, Naugatuck,
CT)
DRUMS FOR TROOPS PAINTED IN VALLEY
SCHOOLS.
NAUGATUCK VALLEY – During the summer American troops in Iraq
and Afghanistan will receive 19 recycled 30-gallon oil drums filled
with a variety of donated dry goods collected by Oil Drum Art, The
Valley Arts Council, eight Naugatuck Valley schools, Lowe’s Home
Improvement, and American Legion John H. Collins Post 24. The
initiative is called “Drums For Troops” and was launched in February
to provide GIs with needed items not available in the Middle East.
Jack Lardis, Greg Karas, and Tracy Mariano delivered
the recycled drums to 15 valley schools where students painted
recycled oil drums with hometown and patriotic themes, wrote letters
and poems, painted pictures and greeting cards that will be included
in the drums. The drums were painted by students and valley artists
and will be filled with a variety of donated goods, foods and messages.
Each drum will have a decal listing the schools, students, and artists
who painted a drum plus another decal will list those who made a donation
of funds, goods and services.
A “Drums For Troops Presentation Ceremony” took place
on Thursday, May 20th, at 7PM in the Woodland Regional High School
Auditorium, 135 Back Rimmon Road, Beacon Falls, CT. Over 150 students
and their families, teachers, school staff, valley artists, the Connecticut
National Guard, local veteran’s clubs, donating sponsors, and the general
public are expected.
The ceremony began with the “Presentation of Colors”
followed by the National Anthem. “Drums For Troops” Chairman Jack
Lardis introduced the program and keynote speaker State Representative
Theresa W. Conroy whose constituency includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls,
and Seymour. Representative Conroy spoke about how our communities
are giving back to those who are in Harm’s Way. Dr. Arnold Frank, Principal
of Woodland Regional High School, talked about the student’s enthusiasm
for the project and expressing their thanks to American soldiers for protecting
America. Colonel John R. Whitford of the Connecticut National Guard has
spent a major part of his military career in Connecticut talked about the
American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then the 19 painted drums
will be presented to the National Guard in a symbolic ceremony.
The students, teachers, and artists were asked to step
forward and stand next to their drum art for a group photograph.
The drums were returned to the Valley Arts Council, 119 Elizabeth
Street in Derby, where they will be filled with collected donated
goods and prepared for shipping to the soldiers in the Middle East.
The “Drums For Troops” initiative was created by Jack
Lardis, president and founder of Oil Drum Art from Beacon Falls,
and members from the Valley Arts Council in Derby. The council
committee members are Jill Nichols of Trumbull, Betty Barriga of
Seymour, Tracy Mariano of Naugatuck, and chairman Lardis of Beacon
Falls.
Anyone interested in donating dry goods or sending
$75.00 toward the costs of the project should contact Jack Lardis,
“Drums For Troops” Chairman at 203-729-0800 or mail to 7 Old Sawmill
Drive, Beacon Falls, CT 06403. Both art organizations are 501[c]3
not-for-profits and donations are tax deductible.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
The
schools, art teachers, and students participating in the Drums For
Troops initiative are:
ANSONIA HIGH SCHOOL
Principal: Susan McKernan
Art Teacher: Nancy Bennett-Morgenstern
“What’s Up in CT?”
Artists:
Ericka Cielo, Megan Hernandez, Bethany Korik, Elizabeth
Mainstruck,
Emily Mulherin, Meghan Sullivan, Shauna Tiano, Justin
Tirado,
Meghan Sullivan, Matt Williams
ANSONIA EMMETT O”BRIEN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Principal : Laurie Lebouthiller
Art Teacher: Julie Criscuolo
“Enjoying Freedom By Land And By Sea”
Artists:
Nicolette Karas, Tyler Luneski, Sasha Quinones, John
Sinnorai,
Jocelyn Virzi
BEACON FALLS WOODLAND REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Principal: Dr. Arnold Frank
Art Teacher: Kristen Lengyel
“In the Jungle”
Artists:
Tayler Boncal, Austin Burr, Chris Collet, Kate DeBlock,
Eric Gomez,
Sarah Graziano, Brooke Leshin, Shannon Magrane, Kevin
Redline,
Erdal Redzovic, Kim Thrasher, Chelsea Williams, Lucas
Zlamany
DERBY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Sponsored by American Legion John H. Collins Post #24,
Derby, CT.
Principal: Laurie LeBouthillier
Art Teacher: Marianne Feroce
“Our World and Beyond”
Artists:
Christina DeFrancisco, Alexandra Garcia, Joshua Rosario,
Anthony Sojka, Marisol Watrous, Shawn Wiseman
DERBY BRADLEY SCHOOL
Linda T. Coppola - Principal
Nichole Green – Art Teacher
Bradley School Drum for Troops,
sponsored by the Derby American Legion John H. Collins
Post #24
Principal Coppola said, “We have 400 students in the
school.
Every student and staff member signed the drum.”
NAUGATUCK CITY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal: Christine Blanchard
Art teacher: Andrea Jakiela
“Peace”
Artists:
Preston Bogan, Caitlyn Colella, Richie Conti, Kylie
Logue,
Katarina Gullotta, Julia Papp, Kim Reynolds
NAUGATUCK HIGH SCHOOL
Principal: Fran Serratore
Visual Art Supervisor: Dana Manning
Art teachers: Rose-Ann Chrzanowski,
Dr. Steve Kobylenski
Artists:
Abbey Crouse, Rebecca Dube, Jamie Girolamo, Amanda
Guglielmo,
Ericka Hafford, Aaron Logue, Marissa Sounanthanan,
Melissa Uva,
Lauren Zalewski
NAUGATUCK HILLSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal: Brian Sullivan
Art teacher: Mrs. Sabal
Artists:
Alyssa San Angelo, Kayla Gallant, Hannah Kim, Kaitlyn
Myer,
Daisy Walsh
OXFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal: Mr. Frank Samuelson
Art Teachers: Mrs. Pam Aldrich, Mrs. Bethany Campbell
“Oxford”
Artists:
Ally Abed, Carolyn Aknoras, Melissa Babina,
Katie Biagioni, Jamie Blanck, Joe Bonovita,
Ally Caple, Jenna Duclos, Meghan Fogarty,
Ricky Krings, Shelby Lanaro, Emily Lones,
Tom Lovell, Corinne Niski, Andrea Nuzzolo,
K.J. Ohara, Paul Onofrio, Page Rollinson,
Harry Schwarz, Casey Staber, Emily Spear,
Jeff Spear, Nick Valente, Joe Way
PROSPECT LONG RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal: Jayne Lanphear
Art Teacher: Erica Liberatore
“The Freedom Carnival.”
Artists:
Anna Khalid, Briana Pete, Rayel Smith, Ashley Szantyr
SEYMOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal: Mrs. Bernadette Hamad
Art Teacher: Mrs. Louellen Pagliaro
“Memories of Our Youth”
Artists:
Shannon Brelsford, Sarah Cederbaum,
Mariah Garcia, Ryan Molloy, Jacob Olofson
SEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL
Principal: Cathy Goodrich
Art Teacher: Lynn Warecke
“Snapshots”
Artists:
Lauren Almonte, Brittany Brassell,
Michelle Han, Jessica Lasto,
Danielle Lemachko, Brianna Ouellette,
Evelyn Roman, Eddie Stockman,
Rebecca Skellington, Holly Sullo
SHELTON HIGH SCHOOL
Headmaster: Dr. Beth A. Smith
Art teachers: Mary Kate Dyke,
Nadia Russell, Mary Ann Tyma
“Driving Hope Home”
Artists:
Jesse Geremia, Caroline Johnson,
Julie Ressler, Britni Scinto, Cody Wilson.
SHELTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Headmaster: Kenneth D. Saranich
Art Teacher: Susan Weir
“New England Landscapes”
Artists:
Katie Bagley, Aldona Bakota,
Anastasia Cortigiano, Katie Iorfino,
Meghan Jacksis, Ricky Kaelin,
Katja Keeling, Erika LaTorre,
Mikaela Mallozzi, Amanda Olavarria,
Bella Pinelli, Maddie Ross,
Brenna Shanahan, Steff Sura,
Tara Werner, Ewelina Zambrzycka,
SHELTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Headmaster: Kenneth D. Saranich
Art Teacher: Gerald Joyce
“Tropical Fish Tank”
Artists:
Jenn Abreu, Sara Ball, Gary Broad, Rachel Duguid,
Savannah Ferrante, Grant Fevrier, Maggie Fitzgerald,
Matt Gannon, Joseph Geriak, Amanda Hadden,
Corlina Kieman, Tara Mc Donald, Janaya Morris,
Stephanie Murphy, Jurjen Reci, Matt Samatowski,
Wesley Sekelsky, Samantha Sobbell, Jaclyn Tabarrini,
Carolyn Taylor, Christpher Tureche, Alex Zampano.
LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT
(2 Drums)
Manager: Gary Campbell
Assistant Manager: Lynne Harries
Artists:,
Julissa G., Kim O., Gaye C., Vanessa G.
OIL DRUM ART
President & Founder: Jack Lardis
Artist:
Jennifer Recalde
Valley Arts Council
President: Rich DiCarlo
Artists:
Susan Carden-Flicker, Steve DiRienzo, Moonshine Kelli
Hannah Perry, Kelly Walsh
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