Brooklyn Education: Students donate blood

On April 19, Bishop Kearney High School hosted its annual blood drive under the direction of its school nurse, Maureen Moses. Fifty-eight pints of blood were collected from students and faculty members.

The blood drive was a success due to the efforts of Mrs. Moses, Guidance Department Secretary Nancy-Ann Santomauro, the donors, the technicians and those who volunteered their time to help during the drive. * * *

During the annual blood drive at Bishop Ford High School

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There was something for every musical taste at the Fontbonne Hall Academy Annual Spring Concert on May 8. Fontbonne’s choral groups, the Vocal Ensemble and the Select Chorus, presented well-loved selections from such Broadway favorites as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” and “My Fair Lady,” with a bit of the Beatles for good measure.

Both groups were conducted and prepared by Mrs. Una Marie O’Donnell, Instructor of Music at Fontbonne. Mrs. O’Donnell also performs with the New York Choral Society and has appeared with Andrea Bocelli at the Barclays Center and on ”Live from Lincoln Center.”

At the concert, the Baroque period was represented by a performance of Christoph Willibald von Gluck’s Gavotte in A Major by Sophia Capellini ’15, who also studies at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

The quick, intricate footwork of hard shoe Irish step dance was presented by Tara Muldoon ’14 and Amanda Powers ’16. A performance by Krista Polizzotto ‘13 joined Middle Eastern music with contemporary tap. The Wushu exhibition by Caitlin Escudero ’14 combined Chinese martial arts style with the music of Two Steps from Hell, a production company that makes music for movie trailers.

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Erin Michelson, adventure philanthropist, social entrepreneur and founder of GoErinGo, visited the second graders at P.S. 127 and shared her insights from two years of global travel.

During 2011-2012, Erin traveled to several countries and, along the way, she volunteered with global nonprofit organizations. Her work included building a library in Laos and a well in Uganda, working on behalf of endangered animals in Mozambique and Honduras, and helping abandoned children in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

During the presentation, students learned about establishing goals for philanthropy, how to tap into resources to reach those goals, and the power of giving back. They also learned about some of the most pressing issues facing the planet including the lack of clean water for most of the world. Students engaged with the material in a meaningful way and later wrote about their dreams for themselves and the planet.

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On April 27, Saint Saviour High School‘s Boosters placed third in the Brooklyn QueensDiocesanCheer and Step competition. The competition took place at Christ the King High School in Queens.

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Three Bishop Kearney High School art students were recognized by Congressmember Michael Grimm at the Congressional Art Award reception that took place on May 2 at the district office on 13^th Avenue. Bishop Kearney senior Gabriele Mantione won third place and received a medal and certificate. Senior Gina Piro and junior Alana McAuliffe were given certificates for Honorable Mention.

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Congratulations to Saint Saviour High School senior Raven DeLeon who has received a scholarship to play for Saint Thomas Aquinas’ tennis team. St. Thomas Aquinas College is located in Sparkill, N.Y.