Spring 2024 vol. 8

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Dear Harrison Community,

Superintendent of Schools

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HHS Marching Band Performed in National Memorial Day Parade

The Harrison High School Marching Band represented New York State in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC, the largest Memorial Day event in the nation, held in the nation’s capital on Monday, May 27th. The band performed songs including You’re a Grand Old Flag and our Harrison Huskies Fight Song as they marched down historic Constitution Avenue alongside high school bands and veterans from across the country.  

 

Harrison Schools Recognized for Outstanding Music Education

For the second consecutive year, Harrison was honored with the NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education designation. Celebrating its 25th year, NAMM awards the designation to districts that demonstrate outstanding commitment to providing music access and education to all students and for demonstrating a commitment to ensuring music learning opportunities are available for every student and providing an example for other communities to follow.

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CELEBRATING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

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HHS Tops Metro Awards with 11 Nominations

Thirteen HHS Students Earn Prestigious Scholastic Art Awards, Including a Gold and Four Silvers

HHS String Ensemble Takes Home Gold

The Harrison High School String Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Thomas Bastone, earned a Gold Rating at the NYSSMA Major Ensemble Festival. The Ensemble is an extracurricular club that meets once a week throughout the year, and is open to all students who study string instruments at HHS. The ensemble performed a Level VI program, the most challenging in the NYSSMA repertoire rating system.  Congratulations to Mr. Bastone and all of our String Ensemble students on this incredible achievement. Read more about orchestra, band and chorus.

 

 visual arts

FINE & VISUAL ARTS

Exhibition Features Work from IB Art Students

Seniors in International Baccalaureate Art presented their work at the annual exhibition at Harrison High School. IB Art classes promote, encourage and facilitate the creation of a body of work that is guided by the student interests and informed by exposure to individuals and cultures, both present and past. Over two years, students explore and work in a variety of media and methods, study art history and the techniques of acclaimed artists past and present as they develop their own artistic voice. Congratulations on their amazing works of art: Maya Boraczek, Lailah DeLaRose, Anna Faillace, Sandeep Fernando, Eva Lachavanne, Olivia Miele, Holly Olszewski, Jocelyn Pavone, Zahra, Touijer, Rion Yoshimura, Alexia De La Jara Cabrero, Mary Gilmore, Alexandra Konigsber, Katherine McCann, Carleigh Paruta, Gianna Salvo, Abigail Spataro, Joseph Miele, Teama Adams, Robert Budde, Nathaniel Hernandez, Stella O’Connell.

Student Work Featured at Katonah Museum 

The Young Artists Exhibition at the Katonah Museum of Art featured original works by HHS students Zahra Touijer, Eva Lachavanne, Lailah DeLaRosa, Stella O’Connell, Anna Falliace, Giulia Mannino, Hailey Helmer, Lana Waights, Annalena King, Ashley Misaray.  In addition, Alexia De La Jara Cabrero, Hailey Helmer, Annalena King, and Eva Lachavanne attended a curating, designing and installation workshop that provided a unique behind the scenes experience;  Annalena King and Lana Waights also attended a graphic design workshop to create a postcard to promote the exhibit.

HHS Student Work Exhibited at School of Visual Arts 

Harrison High School digital arts students, senior Justin Suozzo and junior Michael Brandt, work was featured in the School of Visual Art's Photography and Video exhibit "We the Present: Today Begins the Future."  Justin created a series of original digital composites responding to the way technology plays a critical role in our lives, and Michael submitted his photo titled, "Inflated" taken at Rye Playland last summer.

Student Artwork Featured at Exhibitions

The LMK Middle School Art Show featured artwork from students designed in a variety of artistic styles, designs and techniques, as well as music and dance performances.

Where Artistry & Technology Collide

Harrison High School seniors Ai Yamamoto (Violin) and Justin Suozzo (Voice) qualified for the All-State Orchestra and Chorus.  Ai performs with the HHS Orchestra and Chorus, and Justin Suozzo is a member of the HHS Chorus. Senior Noah Birnbaum, who performs in the HHS Concert Band, Marching Band and Percussion Ensemble was Snare Drum alternate.  Ai and Justin also were honored at a ceremony at the Westchester County Center hosted by State Senator Shelley Mayer and County Executive George Latimer.

HHS Students Perform in NYSSMA Area All-State Festival

Congratulations to the HHS students selected for the NYSSMA Area All-State Festival in November.  Students were selected based on their excellent performance at last spring's NYSSMA Solo Festivals, identifying them as among the best young musicians in Westchester.  

CONCERT BAND: Rina Iwasaki, Hana Ashie, Hana Yamazaki, Noah Birnbaum, Mei Maehara, Alvin Wong, Beverly Kang; MIXED CHORUS: Ella Zamek, Ai Yamamato, Kayla Sander, Elvis Njuguna, Justin Suozzo, Joey Lipple-Smetana; STRING ORCHESTRA: Michael Krachenfels, Matthew Corsino, Mizuki Horiuchi; SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: William Pflieger, Aidan Grant, Asahi Arai, Matthew Perez;  TREBLE CHORUS: Lucy Neureuther, Lucia Lammers

 

Coffee House, Percussion Showcase & Jazz Night Showcase Unique Student Talents

Thirty-three HHS students performed for a capacity crowd at the high school Student Union for Coffee House, a unique event that showcases students’ unique interests and musical skills.  The HHS Percussion Ensemble and LMK and HHS Jazz Bands amazed audiences with outstanding performances in the Performing Arts Center. 

Extravaganza Features Harrison Strings Performers on One Stage

Students in the District's orchestra program participated in the 10th Annual String Extravaganza, a festival of music featuring 322 students in grades 5 through 12...from beginner to the most accomplished...for a full house at the Performing Arts Center at Harrison High School. The theme of this year’s concert was the 2024 Olympics, featuring works from around the world to honor the international spirit the Olympics represent.  

DANCE

Senior Galle Blaustein Earns Award from NYS PTA

IB Dance student, senior Galle Blaustein earned a merit award in the NYS PTA Reflections Arts Competition for her original dance titled, "Climate Change."  Galle choreographed the piece, performed by high school dance students, sophomore Mary Crozier, senior Lucy Neureuther, and senior Jadyn Schwartz, based on this year’s theme "I'm Hopeful Because...."  The Harrison High School PTA nominated Galle’s work for consideration.

HHS Students Recognized for Excellence in Dance

Midsummer Night's Dream Earns Top Awards

The Eastern Student Artist Guild Awards recognized outstanding high school performances in non-musical theater productions. Harrison received numerous awards for the fall production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, including the Best Classical Production category. Ulysses Bravo and Aaralyn Gravagna won in the Best Actor category. Lana Waights and Gisel Lopez won in the Best Supporting Actor category.

HHS Senior's Original Play Recognized Among Best in NY State

Harrison High School senior, Ulysses Bravo was recognized by the 2023 New York State Theater Education Association Student Playwriting Competition and attended the annual conference where his play was produced and performed.  Ulysses submitted his original work after being inspired when attending the Showcase at last year. His play is a comedy/fantasy titled, The Knight Who Only Knows One Move.  Ulysses enjoys writing, especially comedy, to reveal what he “finds funny and see if others see the humor too.”  Congratulations Ulysses on this amazing accomplishment!

Theater Students Named to International Thespian Society

All the World's a Stage...Harrison's Students Dazzle Audiences with Classic Musicals

Harrison students entertained audiences with musical and theatrical productions throughout the year. HHS Playhouse presented Midsummer Nights Dream and Footlight Players brought their Metro-nominated musical Mean Girls HS Version to the HPAC stage.  LMK Theater Club brought down the house with their performance of the musical The Music Man Jr.  Our youngest performers shined in classic musicals including High School Musical at Preston Elementary School, Annie at and Purchase and Parsons Elementary Schools, and Willie Wonka at Harrison Avenue Elementary School, presented in partnership with the District, the Elementary Enrichment Committee, and each school’s PTA.  

Metro Nominees from Footlight Players Production of Mean Girls HS Version

LMK Theater Club Gives a Rousing Performance of the Music Man Jr.

Elementary Students Delight Audiences