Category Archives: Schools Scene

Find out what’s going on in the RFH Regional High School and Rumson and Fair Haven school districts.

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Bonnie and Clyde Come to RFH

The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players are setting the stage for a production of the Tony-nominated musical Bonnie and Clyde.

The show will start with opening night on Friday, March 18 with a 7:30 p.m. curtain and a show on Saturday at the same time and close with a 1 p.m. Sunday matinee on March 20.

Bonnie and Clyde, musical by Frank Wildhorn, of Jekyll and Hyde, Civil War and Dracula fame, is based on the real-life adventures of starry-eyed Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and the outlaw Clyde Chestnut Barrow, who embarked on a crime spree across the United States at the height of the Great Depression.

Bonnie wants to escape from her west-Texas town and become a movie star. Clyde has just broken out of prison with his brother Buck. When they meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame set them on a mission to chase their dreams.

Teaming up with Buck and his wife Blanche, they commit a string of robberies and become American folk heroes as well as law enforcement’s worst nightmare. Forced to remain on the run, the lovers resort to increasingly brutal crimes. But as their fame grows and the body count rises, the end draws near for the ill-fated duo.

Bonnie and Clyde features a non-traditional score combining blues, gospel, and rockabilly music. The RFH production will showcase a cast of 45.

The RFH production stars Eli Rallo as Bonnie Parker, Matt Hughes as Clyde Barrow, Kate Sustick as Blanche Barrow, and Liam Hughes as Buck Barrow.

Suzanne Sweeney is director, with Kasi Ann Sweeney as assistant director. RFH Dance Team Coach Jen Costa is choreographer. Amy Fredericks, musical director for the Count Basie Awards, will be conducting the pit orchestra and overseeing vocal performances as the production’s musical director.

Costumes and props are under the direction of Carole Malick, and Matthew Leddin is overseeing the tech crew of 50 students providing set construction, sounds, and lighting.

Refreshments and a Texas-style feast, including chili and cornbread, will be available for purchase at the café in the RFH gymnasium before each performance and during intermissions.

Ticket prices are: $10 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors. RFH students with SGA cards will be admitted free.

To purchase tickets online, visit the RFH web site (rumsonfairhaven.org) and click on “Bonnie and Clyde.”

For more information including group discounts, contact Play Production Coordinator Stefania Flecca, sflecca@rumsonfairhaven.org.

The Box Office will be open for ticket purchases an hour before each performance.

Over the years the Tower Players have received numerous awards for acting, directing, choreography, costumes, set design and lighting, and overall outstanding production.

Schools Scene

Lunching with a Loved One at Deane Porter

Enjoying Lunch with a Loved One at Deane Porter School are Joseph Whitehouse and his grandmother Elaine Sourlis and Maria Ursino and her cousin Cecilia Ciambrone, and Reagan Haley and her grandmother Ginger Kriegel. Photo/Rumson School District
Enjoying Lunch with a Loved One at Deane Porter School are Joseph Whitehouse and his grandmother Elaine Sourlis and Maria Ursino and her cousin Cecilia Ciambrone, and Reagan Haley and her grandmother Ginger Kriegel.
Photo/Rumson School District

Love was in the air as the Rumson Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) presented its annual Lunch with a Loved One at Deane Porter School recently.

Students kindergarten through third grade enjoyed a luncheon celebration with a special person in the special Valentine’s Day themed event on Feb. 15.

“Families and schools belong together, and Lunch with a Loved One allows us the opportunity to come together for a fun event,” Deane Porter School Principal Shari Feeney said. “It’s great to see the smiles on everyone’s faces and hear the laughter as they share lunch with their friends and loved ones.”

The PTO provided bottled water and an array of home-baked treats, snacks, gluten-free snacks, and pre-packaged peanut-free items as well as fruit and granola bars in the Deane Porter gym festooned with Valentine’s Day decor.

— Edited press release from Rumson School District

Schools Scene

Rumson Schools: Hoops for Funds

The boys' teams from Forrestdale and Holy Cross schools prepare for a rebound during the annual Basketball Fundraiser. Photo/Rumson School District
The boys’ teams from Forrestdale and Holy Cross schools prepare for a rebound during the annual Basketball Fundraiser.
Photo/Rumson School District

Courtside was the place to be on Feb. 4 when the Forrestdale and Holy Cross School basketball teams squared off in the RFH gym.

A good time was had by all as the boy’s and girl’s teams took to the court to raise funds for both schools in the annual event.

Continue reading Rumson Schools: Hoops for Funds →

Arts & Entertainment, News, Schools Scene

Trailblazer: RFH’s Shannon Corsi’s Ticket to the GRAMMYs

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) student Shannon Corsi is about to hit the red carpet, or some path close to it, at the GRAMMY Awards tonight.

It was her original song “Trailblazer,” about the plight of substance abuse, that got here there. She’s already looked in on a rehearsal.

Soon it’s show time. No, she’s not a contender, but she won her own contest that got her and a few other teens closer to being one.

In case you haven’t heard it yet, take a look and listen to her song that set her on her way.

Enjoy, Shannon! Congrats!

Schools Scene

RFH Field Hockey Players Honored as Scholars

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Field Hockey team members have been recognized for their academic achievements by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA).

Anna Babiak, Kara Dixon, Bridget Fitzgerald, Margaret Jennings, Madison Maguire, Kiera McKay, Gabrielle Ramirez, Maisie Sapnar, and Katherine Sustick have been named to the 2015 NFHCA/Keith Waldman — Optimal Performance Associates High School National Academic Squad.

The High School National Academic Squad program recognizes high school juniors and seniors who have achieved a cumulative, unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.5 out of 4.0 through the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year.

High school juniors and seniors with a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.9 or above during the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year are recognized as Scholars of Distinction by the NFHCA.

Scholars of Distinction honorees are: Anna Babiak, Bridget Fitzgerald, Margaret Jennings, Kiera McKay, Maisie Sapnar, and Katherine Sustick.

Schools Scene

RFH Football Players Sign

Three Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) football players have something to celebrate in addition to their recent state championship win.

RFH seniors Michael Caruso, James Oncea, and Maxwell Pfrang made their college commitments official on National Signing Day 2016. With families, coaches, and members of the school administration in attendance on the morning of Feb. 3, they signed their letters of commitment to play college football.

Caruso, a cornerback and wide receiver for RFH, will play Division I football for the Bucknell University Bisons. A Rumson resident, he is the son of Catherine and Scott.

Oncea, a Bulldogs offensive lineman, will be playing Division III football for the Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays. He is a resident of Fair Haven and the son of Laura and Sam.

Pfrang, a linebacker who played a key role for the Bulldogs’ defense, will be joining the Division III Wagner College Seahawks. A Rumson resident, he is the son of Teri and Philip.

“We are extremely proud of the efforts of these amazing young men, on the field and more importantly in the classroom,” said Chris Lanzalotto, RFH director of Athletics and School Activities.

RFH earned its third consecutive state title on Dec. 5 in a match-up with Red Bank Regional High School. The RFH Bulldogs have won four sectional championships in the last six seasons.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

Continue reading RFH Football Players Sign →