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lakeland middle prep arlington middle

KICKIN ’ IT AMS FACES
Photo courtesy of LMPS
Peter Pan , Jr . at Lakeland Middle Preparatory School
April 6 & 7 @ 7:00 pm ; April 8 @ 2:00 pm
The story is a familiar one : Peter Pan takes the Darling children to Neverland , a place where you never grow up , to encounter pirates , indians , mermaids , and the lost boys . Fans of the show will experience the comedic relationship of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell , and Captain Hook ’ s neverending goal to find Peter Pan as his fellow pirate , Smee , makes it an impossible feat . Audience members will delight in the popular musical numbers , “ I Won ’ t Grow Up ” and “ I ’ ve Gotta Crow .”
Peter Pan Jr . stars Hannah Ivy as Peter Pan , the boy who will never grow up . Ivana Cranston plays the tiny fairy , Tinker Bell , who has a larger -than-life-personality. Aditi Ravi , Pierce Browning , and Aaron Cranston are the imaginative Darling siblings who learn to fly off to Neverland . Toby Harrell acts as the terrible , terrible Captain Hook , while Kris Shaw plays the gullible first mate Smee . The cast consists of 33 students and 7 backstage crew members in grades 5-8 .
Co-directors Alison Garland and Mandy Christopher of this inaugural production seek to provide a platform for student actors to use their talents to take audience members on a journey to Neverland . Jessica Washington , is excited to bring dance numbers to life with choreography that is fun and entertaining . This production wouldn ’ t be possible without the leadership of Allie Barnett , the lead sound and lighting coordinator for the show .
Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at https :// www . homegrownimpressions . com / lmps-drama . Adults are $ 8 , students , seniors , and military are $ 6 , and children 4 and under are free .
LMPS Instrumental Music Programs Receive Honors
Last month , both the LMPS Concert Band and Performing Orchestra received superior ratings in sight-reading at the Concert Festival in Memphis . In addition , the Band earned excellent ratings on stage at Colonial Middle School , and the Orchestra earned superior ratings on stage at Cordova High School . The festival was sponsored by the West Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association ( WTSBOA ) and was attended by 32 middle school bands and 24 middle school orchestras across the region .
The LMPS Bands will perform a spring concert at the LAMP Amphitheater on Sunday , May 6 at 3:30 pm . and the LMPS Orchestras will offer a concert and dessert reception on Thursday , May 10 at 6:30 pm in the LMPS Cafetorium .
This spring , the Arlington Middle School Soccer Program opened its first-ever season for boys in grade 6-8 . The team will play against other schools in the municipal school districts as well as some area private schools . Above : Blake Lee steals the ball from the opposing team .
Arlington Middle School 6th grade student Abigail Madison knew little when she was pulled out of class Wednesday afternoon .
Marjorie Johnson – a 6th and 8th grade counselor at the middle school – escorted the timid Abigail down the hallway and introduced her to three wide-grinned students . They were smiling ear to ear because they had a surprise for Abigail – a homemade blanket they were anxious to deliver .
“ We made the blanket to make sure she ’ s comforted during the time she needs it most ,” said 8th grader Alyssa Covarrubias .
The blanket was made by Alyssa and members of the AMS Military Kids Club , an organization Johnson started following the 9 / 11 terrorist attacks to help children in military families cope with the reality of war and deployment . The blanket program is the newest venture for the club .
“ We give the blankets to any student who has a parent or sibling that serves in a hostile territory ,” Alyssa explained . “ We hope the blanket will comfort them every time they miss their loved one .”
In Abigail ’ s case , the loved one is her brother and former AMS student Franklin Chandler Jackson . He recently left for a stint in Afghanistan .
“ It ’ s one of the hardest things you can go through ,” Alyssa said while speaking about her father ’ s one-year
Connor Hall , a 7 th grade student at Arlington Middle School , received an Award of Merit at the Tennessee State PTSA Cultural Arts Reflection Contest . Connor ’ s acrylic painting featured a monkey on top of an elephant ’ s trunk .
Connor and his family received an invitation to the student award celebration in Johnson City Tennessee . His painting will be on display at the award ceremony .
Photos courtesy of AMS
Military Kids Club Makes Blankets to Comfort Students during Family Member ’ s Deployment
By Tyler Hill , Arlington Community Schools
deployment . “ Being away from family for months on end is tough .”
It ’ s those heart-wrenching stories , though , that Johnson hopes connects students like Abigail and Alyssa . “ It ’ s good to know there is someone else that has been through your situation ,” Johnson said . “ So many times , they feel like they ’ re all alone and this is something only they are going through . So , it helps to have the students in the Military Kids Club step in and say , ‘ I ’ ve been there too . Let me tell you my story .’”
With blanket in hand and a note that read “ We are here to support you . Please wrap up in this blanket until you are once again able to wrap up in the arms of your brother ,” Abigail and the Military Kids gathered for a group hug before parting ways .
Abigail then walked back to class , only this time with a little more hope and a lot more love .
The Military Kids Club , which began after 9 / 11 , is open to all Arlington Middle School students whose parents or guardians are active duty military or activated reservists . If you know a student whose parent or sibling is serving in a hostile territory and would benefit from the blanket program , email Marjorie Johnson at
Marjorie . johnson @ acsk- 12 . org .
Photo courtesy of ACS