The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio recently presented to West Geauga High School. The condensed training involved discussions on topics such as race/ethnicity,…
WGHS Diversity Training
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio recently presented to West Geauga High School. The condensed training involved discussions on topics such as race/ethnicity, (dis)ability, gender and diversity, which were the topics that WGHS wanted to discuss according to Diversity Center instructor Jasmine King.
“We label people we don’t understand … and labeling people makes them easier to hate. We want people to rethink labels. We work to create communities where all people are connected, respected and valued,” said King.
The WGHS mentors completed a separate training prior to presenting and sharing what they learned with the freshman class. Students learned that inclusion is a choice, one that they will make at West Geauga as well as being an advocate.
Throughout the program, students divided into groups for different activities and discussions centering on diversity awareness. The freshmen made posters with the help of their mentors. The message illustrated on the posters was clear: “we are all in this together.”
When asked what the most important topic surrounding diversity at West Geauga was, one student replied, “the distance of kids with (dis)abilities.”
Jay Bishop, WGHS principal, commented, “that it is his goal to provide this or a similar training to each freshmen class that enters WGHS.”
OMEA Solo, Ensemble Contest
On Feb. 13, the West Geauga High School band had 31 students participate in the OMEA District VII Solo and Ensemble Contest. The contest allows students to perform either by themselves or with a small group of three to seven other students.
Every event is judged by an OMEA adjudicator, who scores the performance on a five rating system, ranging from a rating of I being Superior to a rating of V being Very Poor.
All students performed in 17 events throughout the day. Twelve of the West Geauga events received the highest rating of I – Superior, with the other five events
scoring a “II” rating.
Preparation for this contest began several months ago and their hard work and dedication showed in their superior and high ratings.
Their positivity and success are an excellent representation of the students at West Geauga High School.
Westwood presents “Nursery Crimes”
“Nursery Crimes” is a modern day musical based on several of the most familiar nursery rhyme characters, an original show and a sequel to a show written last year by the wife of Dan Reich, director of the play.
“This is the first year a sequel has been done at Westwood. The students have spent many hours rehearsing and perfecting their lines over the last eight weeks,” says Reich.
The play opens with a scene from Maleficent. The cast fills the stage and lines up in the audience singing “Rhymeland,” a whimsical song that sets the precedent for the play. As with any musical, there is much signing throughout both acts. Some popular songs of today with the lyrics changed to reflect the play.
The cast did an amazing job portraying the nursery rhyme characters. Congratu-lations on a wonderful performance.
