The sounds of Heather Taylor's class preparing for their final dance performance on Friday on the floor below the GHA office are providing the inspiration for today's blog posts. Across the room, Assistant Academic Dean Robbie Brown and RA Ryan Tempalski (aka "Temp") are compiling mailings for teachers who were unable to attend yesterday's Favorite Educators ceremony.
The luncheon took place in Benedum Commons from 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm. RAs and staff arrived two hours early to find the cafeteria's beautiful place settings and salivate over the array of desserts. Students sat with the teachers they nominated, and the program began with a welcome by Dean Saralyn Dague and a presentation of quotations that students wrote about their nominated teachers. Although some students were embarrassed to show their quotes to the crowd, many of them were very touching. All teachers received a certificate signed by Saralyn and Director of Governor's Schools Sherry Keffer, as well as a copy of the passage students wrote about them.
By the time the presentation was over, everyone was ready to eat. After lunch, Saralyn introduced the day's speaker, M.E. Yancosek-Gamble, the acting chair of the Department of Communications at Bethany and Media Arts Renner Scholar, who talked to the audience about breaking out of your routine and achieving goals.
Between the luncheon and departure for Pittsburgh, interested students had the opportunity to watch the World Cup Finals between the Netherlands and Spain. The air was tense with anticipation and friendly rivalry, and when Spain scored in the second session of overtime, half the group erupted in cheers and cries of "Viva España!" while the other half shouted out claims that the Spanish team was off-sides. Nevertheless, we all know that the Spanish team was victorious.
Students and staff again donned their dress clothes to board buses for Pittsburgh to see The Producers. The production had many students rolling in the aisles for its witty and unexpected humor. Students, staff, and faculty were all excited to see Joey Fatone, former N*Sync member and Dancing with the Stars alum, in the role of Franz Liebkind. After the show, students were herded back to the buses relatively painlessly and made it home before midnight. This morning, the daily schedule was altered slightly to allow everyone some extra time to sleep because of the late arrival; the extra hour was greatly appreciated :)
Tonight, Laura "Piece" Kelly, a nationally renowned slam poet, will perform for the Academy. I can't believe it's the last Monday we'll be here!
--Lauren the Intern
