WHAT ’ S NEWS IN MOON TOWNSHIP
CLEARVIEW RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER WITH $ 2,500 DONATION
Clearview Federal Credit Union honored Marci Elsbury , the winner of their 10th Annual Joseph C . Cirelli Community Service Award . Marci is the co-founder and Executive Director of Mantle House Mission in West Newton , a nonprofit organization offering a transitional place for homeless young men and women aged 18-24 who seek to return to the community and a productive life .
Marci has volunteered at Mantle House Mission since 2010 . She mentors the residents , teaching them the independent living skills that are necessary to succeed on their own . Under her supervision , each resident receives life skills training which includes cooking , balancing finances , cleaning , organizing a household , and preparing for employment by working at the Mantle House Resale Store , which also helps support the organization .
Mantle House Mission believes there is a great need to help young adults who may have no direction in their lives or a lack of guidance from mentoring adults .
In honor of Marci ’ s hard work , Clearview is making a $ 2,500 donation to Mantle House Mission . The organization will use the donation to assist with operating costs and allow further growth to sustain the Mission and its programming .
“ Through this award , we are going to be able to hire a night shift employee , which was a great need and we didn ’ t know how we were going to meet it . So , thank you to all of you at Clearview for helping us to move forward ,” Marci said .
The Joseph C . Cirelli Community Service Award was created to recognize a person who provides outstanding volunteer service to his / her community . The award is named in honor of former Clearview President / CEO Joseph Cirelli who served the Credit Union for 35 years and was present for this year ’ s ceremony .
“ Stories like Marci ’ s at Mantle House Mission are the reason we began giving the Joseph C . Cirelli Community Service Award 10 years ago , honoring our former
President & CEO ’ s commitment to giving back to the community ,” Mark Brennan , Clearview ’ s current President & CEO said .
MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ’ S MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Moon Area School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education .
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students . To qualify for the Best Communities designation , MASD answered detailed questions about funding , graduation requirements , music class participation , instruction time , facilities , support for the music program , and community musicmaking programs . Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas .
“ It is an honor for MASD to be recognized as a Best Community for Music Education ,” said Music Department Chair , Mr . Nick Barthen . “ This not only is an award for the students , staff , and administration of MASD , but also this honors the parents and community members of Moon and Crescent Townships for their continued support for Music in the schools .”
This award recognizes that MASD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act ( ESSA ). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act ( NCLB ) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music . ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children .
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational / cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music . In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success , including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance . In another study from the University , it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds , a trait that lasts well into adulthood .
Beyond the Northwestern research , other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings , creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations , as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel .
A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation , “ Striking A Chord ,” also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum .
HOLY TRINITY PLACES IN FORENSICS
Holy Trinity Catholic School ’ s Forensic Team had a wonderful year . This year ’ s team was comprised of 26 students from 6th , 7th , and 8th grade .
During the regular season competition , the school placed in the top three at every meet . Forensics Finals were held at Butler Catholic School . Holy Trinity placed 5th out of 21 schools earning a 2018 team trophy . The final meet of the season is an All-Stars final competition where students compete for the best in each category . Each school takes their top student in each of the following categories : Poetry , Prose , Declamation , Drama , Impromptu and Multiple Reading . Kennedy Walsh ( Poetry ), Clare Mulvay ( Prose ), Braehm Brown ( Declamation ), Jillian Frosell ( Drama ) and Renee LaGrosse , Ethan Minzer and Chiara Golomb ( Multiple Reading ) all represented H . T . S . at All-Stars . After two rounds , Jillian Frosell won the All-Star trophy and pin in the category of Drama . Out of all 21 schools , Jillian is the All-Star in Drama for the whole year . ■
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