their performances.” Thus, a competitive identity for Woodland Hills High School was formed.
Many days will pass us by, But the memories never die. Alma Mater, Dear Woodland Hills High
Of the days that have passed, Crone and Novak are humble regarding their successes and attribute them to the staff and students who have surrounded them over time. On working with Novak, Crone speaks from his heart,“ Band directors and football coaches are not supposed to get along … that is not the case here. It has been an honor to work all of these years with George. He has been a true professional and so supportive of my programs. I have seen him turn boys to men and give them the opportunities and resources to achieve. That is obvious from his record of both wins and successes; I thank him deeply for his support and friendship.”
Similarly, Novak admits that,“ it’ s about developing these students and athletes and helping to change their lives … We taught them how to work hard to achieve their potential and goals.”
Fans are welcomed to come and see Mr. Crone, Coach Novak, and their students and athletes take their home field for Woodland Hills High School’ s celebration of“ Thirty Seasons of Pride”: September 2 against Baldwin, September 23 against Chartiers Valley, September 30 against Hampton, October 12 against West Allegheny( Homecoming), and October 28 against Upper St. Clair( Senior Recognition). And if you listen carefully before the game over the sounds of the band, football team, and cheerleaders warming up for their performances, you can hear church bells playing the“ Alma Mater”… and perhaps you’ ll feel a piece of our pride too.
Heidi G. Balas is a proud Woodland Hills educator, having worked with its students for fourteen of the past“ Thirty Seasons of Pride.” You can find more her writing on her blog, The Steel Trap( www. thesteeltrap. net).
A Tradition of Performing Arts Excellence Continues into Our Thirtieth Year
Woodland Hills has had success in academics and athletics, but did you know that arguably its most successful program is in the performing arts? Over the past twenty years, Woodland Hills has won 101 Gene Kelly Awards and has been nominated for 197, more than any other school in Allegheny County.
Gene Kelly, a native of East Liberty, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with an Economics degree before becoming a Hollywood director, choreographer, dancer, actor, and singer. Best known for his performance in the movie Singin’ in the Rain, he is honored by Andrea M. Sisk
each year when participating Allegheny County high schools gather to celebrate the culmination of the musical theater season. As the first regional high school musical theater competition of its kind, the Pittsburgh CLO’ s Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater have become the model of high school award shows across the country, including the National High School Musical Theater Awards.
Each year, a team of judges attend musical theater productions, and then award high school participants in categories such as Best Costume Design, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Crew and Technical Execution, Best Execution of Choreography, Best Execution of Direction, Best Orchestra, Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and Best Musical. Every show that is nominated for Best Musical has the opportunity to perform one scene from their show on the iconic Benedum Center stage. On May 28, 2016, the cast of Woodland Hills High School’ s Peter Pan performed“ Ugg-A-Wugg” as part of the 26th Annual Gene Kelly Awards. Woodland Hills is the only school that has participated in the awards program since the inception of the Gene Kelly Awards in 1991.
The Gene Kelly Awards started just three years after Woodland Hills High School musicals began. Mr. Thomas G. Crone is the first and only director of Woodland Hills’ musicals. Under his direction, Woodland Hills has been awarded Best Musical ten times( twenty nominations). Forty-six individuals from Woodland Hills High School have been nominated in both lead and supporting actor and actress categories; fourteen have been honored with Gene Kelly Awards. Best Scenic, Lighting, and Costume Design have been awarded to Woodland Hills a total of forty-seven times. Mr. Crone has earned nine awards for Best Direction( now Best Execution of Direction) and the stage crew of Woodland Hills has earned sixteen awards for Best Crew and Technical Execution.
Recently, the Gene Kelly Awards has presented many scholarships to students whose schools participate. Local universities such as Point Park, LaRoche and Westminster award scholarships to participants attending their schools
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WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
oodland Hills WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE WOODLAND HILLS FOUNDATION.
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