Friday, June 27, 2025
Home Blog Page 689

May, 2014 – That’s Dancing Gears Up for Nationals

admin
-
0
May, 2014 – That’s Dancing Gears Up for Nationals

AW Stories of the Month

That’s Dancing Gears Up for Nationals

An Interview with Five Talented Young Dancers

By Krista Martinelli

The Fab Five from That's Dancing, who will compete this summer at Nationals. Clockwise: Nicholas, Tatiana, Jillian, Morgan and Courtney.
The Fab Five from That’s Dancing, who will compete this summer at Nationals. Clockwise: Nicholas, Tatiana, Jillian, Morgan and Courtney. Photo: Rebecca Massimino Photography.

This month I sat down with the talented young dancers at That’s Dancing, who will be competing on the national level at Dance Masters of America from July 4th to 11th in Orlando this summer. I also had the opportunity to interview Andrea LaMaina, co-owner of That’s Dancing in Lake Worth, Florida. These young dancers are proud to represent That’s Dancing on a national level. It’s rare for a dance studio to achieve five state titles and send five students to Nationals, but That’s Dancing has come through with flying colors again this year.

IMG_2012
Four of the five young dancers from That’s Dancing who will be representing Florida at Nationals this summer. L to R: Nicholas LaMaina, Tatiana Nuñez , Jillian Medero and Morgan Reilly. Not pictured: Courtney Pirozzi.

About the Dancers

Morgan Reilly is in third grade at Sunset Palms, and she has one younger brother. She is currently holding the dance title of Petite Miss Dance of Florida, Chapter 2.  In addition to Dance Masters of America, she will compete in the OnStage America nationals this summer.

Nicholas LaMaina is eleven and is a 5th grader at Sunset Palms. He is the son of Andrea LaMaina (co-owner of That’s Dancing) and he has a younger sister who also dances at That’s Dancing. He holds the title of Junior Mister Dance of Florida, Chapter 2. He will be training with the Joffrey Ballet this summer on a partial scholarship and also competing in OnStage America nationals this summer.

Courtney Pirozzi is in 4th grade and goes to BinksForestElementary School. She holds the title of Junior Miss Dance of Florida, Chapter 2 and is very excited to compete on a national level this summer.

Tatiana Nuñez is in 7th grade at BAK and is a dance major. She holds the title of Teen Miss Dance of Florida, Chapter 2. She was awarded a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet, where she will be spending five weeks training in New York City this summer.

Jillian Medero holds the title of Senior Miss Dance of Florida, Chapter 2. She has two older siblings, Jessica and Jonathan. She graduates from Dreyfoos as a dance major this year. In addition to Dance Masters of America, she will compete in the OnStage America nationals this summer, along with Morgan and Nick. She has been dancing with That’s Dancing for fifteen years – she started at three years old. Next year she will go to Pace University in New York and major in commercial dance.

AW: Morgan, how do you feel about going to Nationals?  Tell us about the dance routine(s) you will be doing?  What’s your favorite thing about dance?

Morgan: Going to Nationals is “awesome sauce.” I will be doing a jazz duet with Nick, a tap duet with Milana and a lyrical routine. The best thing about dance is getting to express myself.

AW: Nick, how do you feel about going to Nationals?  Tell us about the dance routine(s) you will be doing?  What’s your favorite thing about dance?  What are the advantages of being a boy in this competition, if any?

Nick: Going to Nationals will be a good experience. I’m doing the lyrical solo dance that I won (for Florida’s competition) with, as well as a jazz duet. I really enjoy all of it at Dance Masters of America. The national competition gives us more experiences and more opportunities that really move our dancing careers forward.

AW: Courtney, how do you feel about going to Nationals?  Tell us about the dance routine(s) you will be doing?  What’s your favorite thing about dance?

Courtney:  Super excited! And I can’t wait to take all the DMA convention classes and grow as a dancer. I will be competing with an acrobatics dance number with lots of hard gymnastic tricks and difficult choreography. My favorite thing about dance is that I am able to express myself, my emotions and my feelings.

AW:  Tatiana, how do you feel about going to Nationals?  Tell us about the dance routine(s) you will be doing?  What’s your favorite thing about dance?

Tatiana: I feel super-excited and ready for Nationals. I will be doing the tap solo routine that I won the Florida title with and also a tap duet with Jillian. When it comes to dance, I really like learning different things every day and using what you know to teach other people. I want to be a dance teacher and I also want to have a part in a dance company.

AW: Jillian, how do you feel about going to Nationals?  Tell us about the dance routine(s) you will be doing?  What’s your favorite thing about dance?

Jillian: This is my fourth time going to Nationals, and I really look forward to seeing friends from past years. This is my last year at That’s Dancing, and then I’ll be going to PaceUniversity in New York for commercial dance. I’ll be doing a lyrical solo and a tap duet with Tatiana at Nationals. My favorite things about dance are being able to express myself and being able to be versatile (in types of dance), as well as having the little ones at That’s Dancing looking up to me.

Andrea: We are excited to go to Dance Masters of America nationals again this year. It’s a non-profit, dance teacher-run organization that has been in existence for over 100 years. The dancers will have daily technique classes. We’re proud of our five dancers, who also competed in four regional competitions leading up to this summer. As we have learned, the more experience on a stage performing with judges, the more feedback, the better.

Tatiana: Yes, these competitions help you mentally prepare for Nationals.

Andrea: One of the great things about attending Dance Masters is that our students get to dance with other dancers of a very high caliber. Everyone who attends is there to work hard, so it’s very focused.

Jillian: Because everyone is there to work hard, you push yourself.

Tatiana: It’s better for us – it raises the bar higher. And we push harder when we’re there.

Andrea: They will have fabulous choreographers and dancers working with them. The organization is heavily-focused on technique and training.  It’s really the best of the best. There are many benefits to attending this national competition. For example, there is an interview portion of the competition, which helps the dancers be well-rounded and well-spoken too.

AW:  How do you handle nerves when you’re on stage?

Tatiana: You have to believe in yourself. Just wash it away and then focus. Once you step on the stage, all of the nervousness goes away and you just rock it. It’s all about being prepared.

Courtney: I am normally not nervous, but if I am – I just put my earbuds in and listen to my music while stretching and run my routine through my head.

Andrea: All of our dancers have different strengths. Jillian is incredibly consistent. Tatiana responds well under pressure and is a true performer, surprising us with new things that come out in her final performances. Morgan is in her first season with our dance company, and she really comes to life on stage. She is meticulous when it comes to taking notes and feedback, incorporating those changes right away. Courtney is a fireball on stage!  She is sharp and strong and extremely driven for her age.  And, Nick is my son – so I think he is great!  He is very serious about his dancing and wants to better himself with each performance.  He makes goals for himself and works diligently to achieve them.  I am so proud of all of these kids.  They are all standouts and our studio is so thrilled to have them representing us and the Florida Chapter.

AW: What do you think makes That’s Dancing unique among the many local dance studios in our area?

Tatiana: That’s Dancing is more like family and not as “forced” as other studios. They really get to know you and want to help you.  All of the dance instructors truly try to help you improve.

Jillian: In addition to being with That’s Dancing for fifteen years, I’ve been with the Fusion Force Dance Company for eleven years. The older girls are like big sisters to the younger dancers. My teachers have always pushed me to be the best that I can be. My teachers never gave up on me, even when I was going through a rough time.

Morgan: The teachers are really nice. If you do something wrong, they just correct you right away.

Nick: It’s like family here. For me, it is family!  Even if my Mom didn’t own this dance studio, I’d dance at That’s Dancing.  It’s great to have role models like Jillian – we all look up to her.

Andrea: Just as an example of how everyone is like family, Nick recently shared a birthday party with the two other boys on our team. They invited every dancer from the Fusion Force Dance Company at That’s Dancing.  They want to be around each other, they enjoy their teammates!  The camaraderie is so lovely.  I would pick every single one of these kids to be friends with my children in a heartbeat!

AW: What do you think makes That’s Dancing different, Andrea?

Andrea: We try to have our students embrace their strengths. You don’t have to be like anybody else. It’s not a cookie cutter program – it’s focused on the individual.

Tatiana: This is a very diverse dance studio, where they work on every type of dance. It makes everyone well-balanced.

Andrea: Our dancers can walk into a hip hop class, for example, and do well. We’re not just focused on one thing (like ballet). It’s all about “finding you in your dancing.”

Jillian: I’ve always had one type of dance class that’s hard for me, but when it comes to competitions, my scores are even across the board. It’s the versatility that makes the dancers at That’s Dancing great!

AW: What are your favorite types of dance?

IMG_2014

Nick and Jillian: Lyrical and tap.

Tatiana: Tap and pointe.

Morgan: Jazz and modern.

AW: Congratulations and good luck to you – Morgan, Nick, Courtney, Tatiana and Jillian!

For more information about That’s Dancing, call (561) 642-9677 or visit their website www.ThatsDancing.com.

 

 

 

 

May, 2014 – Steve Willey plays “Sweet Home Alabama”

admin
-
0
May, 2014 – Steve Willey plays “Sweet Home Alabama”

May/June, 2014 – Beware of Certain Pet Foods

admin
-
0
May/June, 2014 – Beware of Certain Pet Foods

Beware of Pet Foods Purchased in the Supermarket!

There are so many options for pet owners in today’s society.  Everywhere we turn, we hear about the “best” dog or cat food on the market!  We are pelted by commercials and promise of “New and Improved”, Grain-Free, Raw, and advertisers’ claims of superiority of their product. Most pet owners don’t know what to believe and how to choose the right direction for their own pet.  We hope that the information that follows can help guide you on what to feed or what not to feed your pet.

PUP_18_YT0006_01_P

Pet owners will do best by their pets by purchasing their pet food at a pet specialty store.  Most pet foods found in your neighborhood supermarket are on the Top 10 Worst Pet Foods in the Country List!  Every pet food must list their ingredients right on the package.  The first step to assuring you are feeding your pet a healthy diet is to simply read the ingredient panel on the package.  We don’t need a degree in nutrition to understand these listings; they are all pretty straight forward.  All ingredients are listed in their order of content.  We mean, if corn is the first listing, then you can be assured that the primary ingredient in that food is corn.  Its first place listing means that the food you are feeding contains more corn than anything else!  If your pet food ingredient panel lists:  Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Organic Blueberry, Organic Cranberry, etc.  you can be assured that your pet is eating a healthy, protein-based diet.  If pure protein (Chicken, Beef, Fish, Rabbit, Duck, Goose, Venison, Bison, etc.) is listed far down on the list, or not at all, you can be assured that you are not feeding your pet a suitable diet.  Dogs and cats are carnivores, by their ancestral nature.  ALL four of the top selling pet foods in the country today lists their primary ingredient as corn.  Corn has NO REDEEMABLE nutritious value and any dog food listing this as their first ingredient is not a nutritious meal for your pet.  Corn is useless filler and is a known cause of allergies and is extremely difficult for dogs to digest.  The following list is ingredients to avoid when reading the package:

  • Meat By-Product–Pet grade meat by-products consist of organs and parts either not desired or condemned for human consumption.  This can include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet and feathers. Animal parts can be used from any source, so there is no control…..Animals used can include goats, pigs, horses, rats, road-kill or animals euthanized in shelters.  It can include cancerous tissue and spoiled tissue.  Any meat not named, is meat you know nothing about.  You cannot assume it is something you would want to feed your pet!
  • Animal Fat–Most often made up of rendered animal fat, restaurant grease or other oils too rancid or deemed inedible for humans.  Look for a named fat, such as poultry or chicken fat.
  • Corn or Wheat Gluten –This is the remainder of the corn after the best parts of the corn have been removed.  No nutritional value, difficult to digest and is used as a cheap binder.
  • Wheat Flour–  Fine particles of wheat bran, wheat germ and the offal from the “the tail of the mill”  means the floor sweepings of leftovers in the mill after everything has been processed from the wheat.  A leading cause of allergies in dogs, absolutely useless with no nutritional value whatsoever.
  • Sugar, Cane molasses, corn syrup in any form, sorbitol, sucrose, fructose, glucose, propylene glycol: Useless, unnecessary and adds empty calories.  Usually used to make food more palatable to the animals if the ingredients themselves aren’t enough to make the dog or cat actually want to eat it.
  • Coloring (blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Titanium Dioxide):  Any coloring is completely unnecessary and should be avoided.  Your dog doesn’t care about the pretty colored shapes and artificial dyes and coloring agents are known cancer causing agents, and also cause allergies.  Used in Junk Dog Food!
  • Propylene Glycol:  Used in antifreeze solutions, in hydraulic fluids, and as a solvent.  May be toxic if consumed in large amounts, and should definitely not be an ingredient in a food an animal will eat daily for weeks, months or years.
  • Hydrochloric Acid:  Used in Kibbles n Bits – It is a caustic chemical agent used in the production of chlorides, fertilizers, and dyes.

The top selling dog foods in the country today are Pedigree, Ol Roy, Purina and Beneful.  All of these foods list corn as their number one ingredient.

When comparing pet foods, you cannot simply compare quantity and price.  You must take into consideration the nutritional value inside the bag.  If you are feeding a food that is mainly corn, wheat, Wheat Flour, potatoes and rice, then you must feed a higher quantity in order to give your pet more useable nutrition.  What goes in usually comes out.  I mean by that, most of these fillers and grains will not be utilized by your pet’s body and will be simply passed through in large amounts of feces.  When feeding a higher quality of food, your pet’s body will absorb the nutrients, and the amount of feces will be significantly less, as your pet will use most of what goes in.  A higher quality of pet food will require less quantity to give your pet their required nutrition.  A lesser quality of food may require you to feed 2 cups of food at each meal; however, a higher quality of food will necessitate perhaps only ¾ of one cup to provide adequate nutrition. Therefore, a 5lb bag of a higher quality food will take you further, thus giving you more for your dollar.

We highly recommend going to a pet specialty store to purchase your pet food.  You do not necessarily have to spend more money, just be an educated consumer.  It is most common to see higher quality pet foods in a pet specialty store than in your supermarket.  I think it fairly safe to say that most foods for pets that are sold in human supermarkets should be passed over for something more nutritious.  Today, most towns have pet specialty stores within a short drive from your home, perhaps even closer than your supermarket.  You can also gain a wealth of information from your pet specialty store and the knowledgeable employees that have experience with the needs of pets.  I think it fair to say, no matter the size of your pet, you can feed a higher quality, grain free food for your pet for mere pennies more per day. For less than a cup of coffee, your pet can have the best opportunity to live a healthier life.  There is a direct correlation between the food they eat, and the health of a pet.

Living in Florida, our pets have specific challenges, more than any other state.  Local Veterinarians have a continuous battle with seasonal and environmental allergies.  Some of these allergies are caused by or exacerbated by the foods we feed.  Our environment initially causes some allergies, but once our pet’s skin become inflamed, develop sores or have on-going dermatitis, the foods we feed can take a bad situation and make them worse.

May, 2014 – Memorial Day Parade in Wellington

admin
-
0

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Wellington

Wellington and the American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 will honor all veterans with a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26th.  Veterans are invited to walk in a Memorial Day Parade beginning at 8:15 am at the Wellington Community Center located at 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard. The parade ends at Wellington’s Veterans Memorial located on the corner of Forest Hill Boulevard and South Shore Boulevard and will be followed at 8:30 am by the Memorial Day Ceremony.

There will be temporary road closures associated with this event.  While marchers are on the roadway, traffic will be diverted to one lane and will be prohibited from entering South Shore Boulevard from Forest Hill Boulevard and Country Club Drive.  Travel on Forest Hill Boulevard eastbound will be diverted to one lane between Montauk Road and South Shore Boulevard while the marchers are in the roadway.

If you are an active or retired veteran attending the ceremony, you will have an opportunity to register the morning of the event at the Wellington tent to be recognized during the ceremony. To become a part of this event or to walk in the parade, please contact Michelle Garvey at (561) 791-4082.

In addition, the American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 will be holding their annual Veterans Open House on Thursday, June 19th from 7:00-9:30pm at the Wellington Community Center. This event will feature guest speakers to raise awareness about the American Legion and the services offered to veterans. For more information about the American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390, please contact wellingtonlegion390@gmail.com.

For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.

 

 

May, 2014 – Foster Qualifies for the Ballot

admin
-
0

KATHY FOSTER QUALIFIES FOR THE BALLOT BY PETITION

Democrat Kathy Foster, candidate for Palm Beach County Commission, District 6, has qualified for the ballot by petition.

The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office has certified that Foster has obtained the 1,184 voter petitions required to qualify for the ballot.  Qualifying for the ballot by petition saves Foster from having to pay the $5,525.82 filing fee.

Foster’s opponent, Melissa McKinlay, also attempted to qualify for the ballot by petition, but failed to collect the required number of petitions.

“Support for our campaign is growing stronger every day.  I was overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of support we received from residents all over District 6 who signed the petitions to help me qualify for the ballot,” said Foster.

June, 2014 – 18th Annual Members’ Photo Show

admin
-
0
June, 2014 – 18th Annual Members’ Photo Show

Palm Beach Photographic Centre Announces

18th Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW

June 12 – August 2, 2014

(West Palm Beach, FL – May 19, 2014)  Fatima NeJame, president and chief executive officer of the world renowned Palm Beach Photographic Centre (PBPC), today announced the upcoming opening of its next exhibition:

18TH Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW

June 12 – August 2, 2014

PBPhotos
PEEK-A-BOO – by Wayne Becker

Opening Reception: 

Wednesday, June 11 – 6 to 8 p.m.

Palm Beach Photographic Centre’s 18th Annual MEMBER’S SHOW is a juried exhibition that will showcase the work of its members, both inside the Photo Centre and on its Web site, www.workshop.org.

Among the local Photo Centre members who will be represented in the upcoming exhibition are Wayne Becker (“Peek-a-Boo”), Cynthia Conley (“The Marshmallow Debate”) and Surej Kalathil (“New World Bird”), all from West Palm Beach; Brbarbara of Jupiter (“Shimmer”); Julio DeCastro (“My Valentine”) of Juno Beach; Palm City’s Livia Kropf Debonet (“On The Rocks”); George W. Moore of Palm Beach Gardens (“Cabo Sunrise”); and Sandi Pfeifer of Palm Beach (“Once I Made Memories, Now…”).

This year’s MEMBERS’ SHOW is being judged by internationally renowned photographer Vincent Versace, a pioneer in the art and science of digital photography. Hailed by Nikon as “one of the top photography artists and visual storytellers in the world,” Versace is a recipient of the Computerworld Smithsonian Award in Media Arts & Entertainment and the Shellenberg fine art award, and his work is part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American History.

A Best of Show cash prize of $950 will be awarded, as will two Merit Awards for free tuition for a FOTOfusion Passport or a Master Workshop. This year’s winners will be announced at the exhibition’s opening reception on June 11.

Also on exhibition at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre will be PICTURE MY WORLD, which has served disadvantaged children throughout the Palm Beaches since 1997. Program funding is provided through a Lost Tree Foundation grant and the generosity of private donors.

Admission is FREE for both exhibitions.

About the Palm Beach Photographic Centre:

The Photo Centre is located at the downtown City Center municipal complex at 415 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, please call 561.253.2600 or visit www.workshop.org or www.fotofusion.org.

Photo from MEMBERS’ SHOW.

PEEK-A-BOO – by Wayne Becker

 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gary Schweikhart

PR-BS, Inc.

561.756.4298

gary@pr-bs.net

May, 2014 – Spy Science

admin
-
0
May, 2014 – Spy Science

Spy Science

 South Florida Science Center and Aquarium

 Friday, May 30, 2014 – from 6-9 p.m.

Spy Science_Sofia Stem 8

WHAT:  Nights at the Museum – Spy Science

MISSION: TOP SECRET.  Small-scientists are invited to crack the code with ‘Spy Science’ as they learn about forensic science by dusting for prints, exploring microscopic evidence and writing their own secret messages with invisible ink!

Activities include:

  • Write and discover an invisible ink message
  • I spy, cow eye dissection
  • CSI lab finger printing and magnified hair samples
  • Master the art of Morse Code

Additionally, all attendees will be able to explore Mazes, the Science Center’s newest traveling exhibit. Mazes winds its way over 9,000 square-feet with more than 60 puzzling experiences that inspire endless hours of exploration and ingenuity.  Visitors will have the opportunity to run a marathon with their fingers on the Finger Mazes; become a “webmaster” by climbing through an intricate web of ropes in the Web Maze; get lost in a network of color in the Color Maze; and conquer puzzling perplexities in the Maze of Illusions, where what you see may not be what you get!

HOW MUCH: 

Members: Adults – $5.50 and Children – FREE

Non-Members: Adults – $12.50, Seniors – $11, Children – $9, Children under 3 – FREE

* FREE planetarium show and miniature golf included

** Don’t forget!  Bring your Frequent Friend Card, as three hole-punches equal a FREE Nights at the Museum visit.

WHERE:  South Florida Science Center and Aquarium | 4801 Dreher Trail North | West Palm Beach, FL 33405

WHEN:  Friday, May 30, 2014 – from 6-9 p.m. with the observatory remaining open until 10 p.m. – weather permitting.  The Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches will be on-site to assist stargazers with any questions.

WHO: On the last Friday of every month, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium hosts a themed ‘Nights at the Museum’– a family friendly opportunity to enjoy extended hours of the Science Center’s typical offerings as well as a chance to view the night sky through the Science Center’s observatory.  Once monthly, weather permitting, the ScienceCenter opens its observatory dome, which rotates to allow for the best views. Guests will be treated to craters, comets and galaxies visible by the telescope.

Monthly ‘Nights at the Museum’ events run from 6pm – 9pm, with the observatory remaining open until 10pm, and every month there is a different theme.  Activities often include arts and crafts, animal dissections and dry ice experiments.

WHY: With a new mission to “open every mind to science,” the South Florida Science  Center and Aquarium features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall and an interactive Everglades exhibit.

FOR MORE INFO: Please contact the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium at (561) 832 -1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org

 

May, 2014 – Local Karate Student Wins Bronze

admin
-
0
May, 2014 – Local Karate Student Wins Bronze

Local Karate Student Wins Bronze

Miyagi Cup 4
Pictured (L. to R.) – Ben Schwartz and Sensei Keith Moore.

Miami, FL, May 10, 2014: Benjamin Schwartz, a beginner junior yellow belt student of Genbu-Kai Karate, traveled to Miami to compete in the 2014 Chojun Miyagi Cup. Competitors traveled from Bahamas, Bermuda, Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Turkey, Venezuela, as well as throughout Florida, and many US States.

Ben participated in both Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) capturing third place in sparring after facing off with five to eleven competitors in each divisions. Excellent job being this was his first competition. Ben is from the Wellington area.

Genbu-Kai Karate is conveniently located in the Wellington Market Place Mall, for more information on the classes, please call 561.804.1002 or visit our website at www.floridagenbukai.com.

 

May, 2014 – Kids Fun Zone

admin
-
0
May, 2014 – Kids Fun Zone

Palm Beach Atlantic Business Students Run Kids Fun Zone

at International Polo Club

Wellington, Fla. (May 15, 2014) – Enterprising business students from Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU) in West Palm Beach, Fla., accepted the challenge of running the popular Kids Fun Zone at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, and the result was a triumphant achievement.

Madison Murehak, Dr. Ann Langlois, John Wash, Angie Moreau
Madison Murehak, Dr. Ann Langlois, John Wash, Angie Moreau

 For successfully running the club’s Kids Fun Zone during the 16-week polo season, the three students – all attend PBAU’s Rinker School of Business – were awarded scholarships by the International Polo    Club (IPC) to travel to Prague for a nine-day business course and cultural tour in May.

 “These students run a tight business model, providing new activities and special events every week that were fun, resourceful, and creative. This year’s programs included the South Florida Science Museum, face painting, ponies, a petting zoo, a fire truck and education about fires, interactive sports, a giant slide, bounce houses, and a rock climbing wall,” said John Wash, president of the International Polo Club. “We are proud of the fine job they did managing every aspect of the Kids Fun Zone, and we are pleased to present to them a check for over $10, 200,” said Wash.

Angie Moreau, Madison Murehak, and Kevin Reifler were the core team running the Kids Fun Zone every Sunday for four months, so parents could spend a relaxing day enjoying high-goal polo matches on the field. The weekly average of participants was 35 children, with the Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® spiking the number to 50. The team recruited student athletes at PBAU to organize soccer, tennis, and other sports to interact with the children and keep them entertained.

“Planning, budgeting, contacting, and negotiating contracts with the vendors, oversight of the children, scheduling events, managing the events on-site, troubleshooting, and marketing is like running a small business. They did a fantastic job in raising money and awareness about the service,” said Dr. Ann Langlois, an associate professor at the Rinker School of Business, who oversees the scholarship program with the International Polo Club.

The service cost parents only $10 – but it was all profit to the students’ scholarships. All monies saved under their $1,000 weekly budget was kept and applied toward their scholarships. This season, the students created enough profit and savings to cover the full cost of the trip to Prague, according to Dr. Langlois.

This is the third year the International Polo Club has offered scholarships to Rinker business students. Last year’s participants used the Kids Fun Zone experience to fund a 10-day trip to Brazil. “The IPC scholarship program has given our students a chance to run a business, travel abroad, and expand their knowledge of international business,” said Dr. Langlois. “It’s a great opportunity. The students learn leadership skills that will prove invaluable after college.”

June, 2014 – FAU Presents a Summer Full of Entertainment

admin
-
0

 FAU Presents a Summer Full of Entertainment

BOCA RATON, Fla. (May 13,  2014) – Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Theatre and Dance in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters has announced its summer lineup for Festival Repertory Theatre 2014. The tragicomedy “August: Osage County” will run from Friday, June 27 through Saturday, July 26; the musical “Bonnie and Clyde” will run from Saturday, July 5 through Sunday, July 27; there will be a Piano Gala on Friday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m.; and the Rep will conclude with two big band concerts on Saturday, Aug 2 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. All shows are at the University Theatre and Studio One Theatre at 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-564-9539 or visiting www.fauevents.com. For more information or for a full schedule of the performances, visit www.fau.edu/festivalrep.

“August: Osage County,” a play by Tracy Letts, tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Letts’ play made its Broadway debut in December 2007 after premiering at Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre earlier that year. It continued with a successful international run.

“Bonnie and Clyde,” a musical written by Ivan Menchell, is the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who meet in the middle of the Great Depression when Clyde tries to steal Bonnie’s mother’s car. Bonnie, who is bored by her job as a waitress, is intrigued with Clyde, and decides to take up with him and become his partner in crime. They do some holdups, but their amateur efforts, while exciting, are not very lucrative. They turn from pulling small-time heists to robbing banks and their exploits also become more violent. The play opened in California in November 2009 and debuted on Broadway in December 2011. It was nominated for three Outer Critics Circle Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, both including Best New Musical, as well as two nominations for the 2012 Tony Awards.

Festival Repertory Theatre will close out the summer with a four-piano extravaganza and two concerts with the FAU ‘Swing Era Jazz Band’ playing hits from the golden age of the big bands, including works by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and more.

“Festival Rep,” now in its 16th year, will once again feature professional equity actors working alongside FAU’s finest graduate students in their last production before they graduate and enter the world of professional theatre.

FAU’s Festival Rep is sponsored by Bank of America, the R. A. Ritter Foundation, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, the Wyndham Boca Hotel, Delray Sands Resort, Fairfield Inn and Suites and Living Room Theaters.

 – FAU –

 About Florida Atlantic University:

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University, with an annual economic impact of $6.3 billion, serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at sites throughout its six-county service region in southeast Florida. FAU’s world-class teaching and research faculty serves students through 10 colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. FAU is ranked as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University is placing special focus on the rapid development of three signature themes – marine and coastal issues, biotechnology and contemporary societal challenges – which provide opportunities for faculty and students to build upon FAU’s existing strengths in research and scholarship. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.

 

 

1...688689690...1,069Page 689 of 1,069

Around Wellington® is your resource for interesting stories, monthly columns on many areas of expertise, fun contests (with gift cards or tickets to events as the prizes), links to terrific local businesses, a monthly calendar and detailed community information. Learn more.

Quick Links

Get Social with AW!

© 2019 AroundWellington.com | Website design by WebGumption.com