LHS will present the Roger’s and Hammerstein’s musical “South Pacific” in the Van Blair Auditorium Feb. 27-28.



On these two days, matinee performances are scheduled for elementary students only at 1 p.m. Two evening performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. each night. Tickets will be $5 for adults and $3 for children and may be purchased in the LHS Activities Office

The music is by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. “South Pacific” ranks among the most celebrated of Rogers and Hammerstein’s acclaimed musical masterpieces.

LHS drama director Reesa Florom, choir director Sandy Steele and band director Josh Shellard are in charge of the production.

“South Pacific” is set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war.

Anne Mason will play Nellie Forbush, a spunky nurse from Arkansas. She falls in love with mature French planter, Emile de Becque, played by Dylan Przygocki.

Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile’s proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable, played by Bridger Bailey, denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl, played by Anna Kyritsis.

For a list of cast members see CyberPlainsman.

--KaciKay Johnston

State Superintendent visits LHS

Dr. Jim McBride, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Dr. Tom Buchanan, University of Wyoming President, and addressed attendees at the 2006 Snowy Range FFA Teachers Appreciation Luncheon Thursday, at Laramie High School.

The luncheon was attended by FFA members, LHS administrators, teachers, and LHS staff. The FFA members served the lunch dressed in official FFA attire while Dr. Buchanan and Dr. McBride spoke. The meal was provided by FFA and Corona Village.

Dr. Tom Buchanan was the first speaker and expressed his appreciation to LHS faculty for the excellent job of preparing students for UW. He said, “LHS students are extraordinarily prepared” for college.

Dr. Jim McBride began by leading the FFA members in a round of applause for the faculty and staff. He described the teachers as being in the frontline of education.

McBride went on to explain how Wyoming will soon be recognized nationally because of the Hathaway Scholarship Program and, once the money is placed there, it will always remain. The program will place millions of dollars “in the bank” that will generate $20 million in interest to be given to Wyoming students each year in scholarships to attend the University of Wyoming, a Wyoming junior college, or other accredited Wyoming schools.

McBride described bills now being discussed by the Wyoming House and Senate in Cheyenne. During his brief remarks, he encouraged the students to “take advantage of opportunities” given to them by relating his own personal experience in education. He shared his rough beginning in school before he took advantage of the opportunities given to him. Some of those advantages he spoke about included receiving a college degree, then after participating in the military for 26 years, McBride received two additional degrees.

--Aubrey Johnson

U-DOC deadline Wednesday

U-DOC is a program at the University of Wyoming that offers a chance for high school students to spend six weeks in the summer exploring the field of medicine.

Fourteen high school juniors and seniors will be accepted to participate in the six-week program. The activity does have some pre-requisites in order to be accepted, students have to be a Wyoming resident. The program also is encouraging persons of minority backgrounds, disadvantaged families, and those with parents without any years of college to apply.

Along with an overview of pre-med curriculum, and an exploration of health careers, it will allow participants to get a grasp of what college life is actually like while living on campus. The grant provided by the University of Washington Medical School will also provide for the students to have a living stipend.

Students interested must submit a high school transcript along with the application for the program, which must be this Wednesday. Also two recommendations must be submitted. Those interested are able to contact their counselors office tomorrow to get an application.

--Zach Johnson

Volunteers needed for speech

Volunteers are still needed to judge the National Qualifying Speech tournament March 16-18.

Volunteers will be asked to judge from any number of events. At this event high school participants from around the state will be chosen to represent Wyoming at the national competition this summer.

Patricia Smith, the LHS speech and debate coach, is asking for those interested in judging to contact her at LHS, 721-4420, or psmith@acl.k12.wy.us.

--Zach Johnson

Classes dismiss early

Students were dismissed at 11:30 a.m. last Friday for a faculty in-service that started at 1 p.m.

The tentative schedule for the in-service included the following topics: Reports on Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS) and course scheduling, along with an SEB brainstorming activity. Also a survey—“Instructionally Supportive Assessment: The Implementation and Effects of the New State Assessment System in Wyoming” will be given to the faculty. Department meeting concluded the day.

--Joe McNierney

Twenty years ago recalled

This column will feature a brief summary of a bureau article that originally appeared in the Boomerang during the 1985-86 school year.

The bureau scrapbook from those two years serves as a source.

Feb. 14, 1986: The play “Night of Jan. the 16” will be performed by the LHS Drama Club Feb. 14 and 15 at Van Blair Auditorium. The public will be admitted with no charge.

Rehearsals have been rough because of illness,” said Drama Club sponsor Reesa Florom, “however we have a lot of talent involved and I think it will be an exciting performance.”

“The size of the cast has given more students the chance to get involved in a drama production,” Florom said.

Some of the cast members included Anne Guzzo, Mary Arth, Teresa Jacobs and Theo Constantinides.

--KaciKay Johnston

On the Net: For more LHS news read and bookmark CyberPlainsman at my.highschooljournalism.org/wy/laramie/lhs