EAST LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL

The 2006 year proved highly successful at East Longmeadow High School in the areas of student achievement and community interaction.

In student achievement, individuals and teams/clubs were recognized for a variety of awards and service. The National Merit Program cited one student as “semi-finalist” (top 1% nationally) and six students as “commended scholars” (top 5%) while one student was designated as a National Achievement scholar. At Student Achievement Night, 92 students were honored; in addition, 95 students have qualified for the Certificate of Mastery and 58 students for the Adams Scholarship. Moreover, 24 students achieved AP Scholar distinction and the National Honor Society inducted 33 new members. And, our four academic teams, Debate (fourth in league), Mathematics (fourth in league), Science (third in league) and As School Match Wits (championship round), all concluded with victorious seasons.

In the arts, the music department celebrated the return of vocal music to the high school with performances by the concert Choir, Women’s Select Chorus and the “Offbeats” at the 2006 Winter Concert. Six East Longmeadow High School musicians performed in the Western Mass. Senior District Music Festival and two performed at Symphony Hall in Boston as part of the All State Festival. The high school and East Longmeadow Community enjoyed many performances given by our Chorus, Concert Band, Chamber Music Society, Jazz Ensemble and Marching Band. And the Visual Arts program had two students nominated to All State. The Drama Club performed the immensely enjoyable production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and Spartanum was a huge success with an awards show as its theme.

In sports, beginning with the fall season, our golf team won the league and participated in the state tournament; the boys soccer team qualified for the post season; and the girls Volleyball team was Western Mass semifinalist. The winter season brought tournament participants in girls basketball and hockey while the girls swim team was league and Western Mass champions. In the spring season, three teams were league champions/tournament participants: baseball, boys lacrosse, and girls tennis.

Proceeding to clubs, the Environmental Club was involved in fall raking, cleaning the greenhouse, planting bulbs and perennials and building an herb garden. Our three foreign language clubs promoted a number of activities and field trips. For example, the French Club sponsored Mardi Gras and trivia games; the Spanish Club volunteered at the Shriners Hospital; and the Latin Club hosted a Museum of Fine Arts field trip. The Government and Politics Club organized Congressman Richard Neal’s visit to our school. Also, the Key Club, a service organization affiliated with Kiwanis, volunteered its services in a variety of ways: Crop Walk, Powder Puff Football, Springfield Homeless Shelter and Red Cross blood drive. The National Honor Society (72 members) participated in the Rays of Hope walk, winter clothing drive, and holiday donations for local families. And the school newspaper published two editions featuring school, local, national and international news. In addition, Student Council sponsored class elections, pep rallies, spirit weeks, 9^th grade orientation and student scholarships.

In community interaction, the East Longmeadow High School Career Center arranged 41 job shadow placements, 32 career speakers, and 211 internships. The East Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce awarded six seniors who participated in these programs over $5000 in scholarships. The Career Center also continues to find part time employment and community service placements for East Longmeadow High School students.