IN Mars Area Spring 2014 | Page 45

Mars Area students (from left) Madeline Pifer, Abigail Parsons, Katie Olsen and Keri Springer were selected to perform at the PMEA Junior High District Chorus Festival. Wins School Geography Bee Congratulations are in order for Mars Area sixth-grader Max Lamm who earned first place in the Mars Area Geography Bee Final Round Qualifier, held in January. Lamm has completed a written exam which was mailed to the Pennsylvania State Geography Bee, which will determine if he has qualified for the state contest to be held on April 4. The state winner then advances to the National Geography Bee competition in May. Eighth-grader Daniel Feathers achieved second place and sixthgrader Adrian Zugehar took third place the contest. ews Five Mars Area High School students were selected by solo audition to perform in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Chorus Festival held in January. Senior Dalton Smith, sophomores Lukas Johansson, Ian Steward, Jordann Versaw and Allison Wright performrf alongside the best high school musicians from more than 50 school districts. The students are directed by Mars Area High school Chorus director, Marie Andrascik. M a x La m m Sixth-grader Max Lamm earned first place in the 2014 Mars Area Geography Bee Final Round Qualifier. Junior Takes Lead Role in Nutcracker Production Mars Area junior Claire Georgiadis danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh’s production, The Nutcracker. “I have gone to see The Nutcracker every year since I was very, very young,” says Claire, who has studied ballet for several years. “It is a tradition in our family.” Claire, 16, daughter of Steven and Leslie Georgiadis of Mars, began studying at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh in 2010 and has joined in the academy’s annual production of The Nutcracker in lesser roles each year. This year; however, she was selected for the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy based on her performance, commitment and capabilities. “Ballet is combining gracefulness with strength,” says Claire. “I like the challenge. It looks easy, but it's C ity of Mc K MARS of Mc SC C ity ARE A K HOOL eesport N eesport N DI STRIews T N ews C PM EA D i s tr i c t Ch o rus McKeespor t McKeespor t MARS AREA Students Selected to Perform at actually very hard to do.” In 2012, Georgiadis placed in the Top 12 in the Contemporary Category at the Youth American Grand Prix Junior Division. She attended the 2012 Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program and 2011 Walnut Hill School for the Arts Summer Dance Intensive, both in Boston, Mass.; and the 2012 Chautauqua Institution Summer Dance Intensive in Chautauqua, N.Y. At Mars Area High School, Georgiadis is a member of National Honor Society and has achieved High Honor Roll every year since eighth grade. She is also a certified Pilates instructor. Mars Area junior Claire Georgiadis was selected for the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh’s production of The Nutcracker. Mars Area | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 43