Amid Glamour and Glitz, OSCAR Ceremony Offers Lessons in Public Speaking

For their Oscar-winning performances in the classroom, Cherry Avenue Third-grade students were recognized at the Annual Oscar Awards by their thrilled teachers and adoring public—families.

Before the show, all the celebrities paraded onto the red carpet and struck glamorous poses while the photographers snapped pictures and onlookers cheered. Similar to the actual Oscar nominees, the excited students were dressed to the nines:  the dapper gents were decked out, some sporting jackets and ties, hats and cool-looking shades, while the ladies were absolutely lovely in their flowing gowns, glittering wraps, feather boas, tiaras, and “fine” jewelry.  More dazzling were the winning smiles on the faces of the students when they spotted family members in the crowd.

The annual Oscar event has entertained students and families for years, but its real purpose has been to help the students develop a sense of confidence and to promote public speaking, thereby fulfilling the New York State Standards. 

This year was no different. The extravaganza opened with a musical number by composer Mike Wilson’s “Enjoy the Show” conducted by Cherry Avenue’s enthusiastic music teacher Kristi Woerner. The Third-grade performers showcased great musicality that delighted the audience. Getting down to the business of distributing awards, Hostess of Ceremonies Mrs. Geraldine Batterberry welcomed the nominees and guests to the ceremony with wit and warmth, recognized the special award recipients,*  and enumerated all the reasons why these hardworking Third-graders were “Oscar worthy.”  Mrs. Batterberry also announced the categories of winning attributes, and along with “Academy” Assistants Mrs. Andria Flynn and Mrs. Karen Donnelly, congratulated the students whose successful efforts undoubtedly made them all stars.

Every student was called up to receive a trophy and to give an acceptance speech that included expressions of “surprise for earning the award” and “thanks” to mom and dad and assorted family members and their fellow students who nominated them. One particular recipient stated that he had been looking forward to winning an Oscar “since first grade,” but all showed great poise and modesty as they accepted their awards. By the end of the ceremony, each student clutched a golden statuette for a successful achievement while all parents beamed with pride.

* Along with Oscar recognition for Principal Dr. Lisa Ihne and Musical Director Kristie Woerner, a very special award was given to the retiring school nurse Leslie Cillis for her dedication and commitment to keeping Cherry Avenue students healthy.  Mrs. Cillis mentioned that her four years at Cherry (a total of fourteen in Sayville) have been the “highlight of her thirty-eight years as a nurse.”

Congratulations to all! The following Oscar-worthy students enjoyed the Cherry Avenue Red-Carpet Treatment on February 26, 2016:

Here are the winners from class 3-Batterberry:

Best Screenplay Leo Mongiello and Kate Von Boxel

Leading Lady Adria Vargas and Emma Lanizilotta

Best Set Design: Emily Finn, Ava Sanchez and Mikey Sands

Math Action Star: Meredith Brennan, Richard DelGiorno and Emilie Berg

Outstanding Behavior: Julianna Weinfeld and Taylor Carpentieri

Best Supporting Speller: Lily Baldante and Christopher Capriotti

Best Leading Attitude: Carly Strining and Lauren Smalley

Best Director: Lucy Vermilyea and Micheal Caporaso

Best Script: Ava Vadyak

Leading Man Kevin Dolan, Nicholas Razzano, Jack Higgins

Director’s Asstistant: Courtney Malone

Here are the winners from class 3-Flynn:

Best Leading Attitude: Sadie King, Trinity Ricevuto

Outstanding Behavior-Victoria Elderbaum, Jake Schollenberger

Best Set Design: Stathi Paloubis, Isabella Romanelli

Best Supporting Speller: Michael Amato, Rachel Weibke

Math Action Star: Grace Nolan, Andrew Minerva

Best Script: Harlem Salvi, Mia Lombardo

Leading Man: Shay Plitt, Nick Watson, Brett Coffey

Director's Assistant: Elle McCormack, Jake Hall

Best Screenplay: Logan Maha, Kaitlyn Monahan

Leading Lady: Sabrina Entin, Emma Travaglia

Best Director: Katerina Michaelides, Erin Costa

Here are the winners from class 3-Donnelly:

Best Leading Attitude: Gianna Perrucci, Chris Spatenga

Outstanding Behavior in Classroom Role: Olivia Delaney, Maddie Egan

Best Director (Reading): Madden Breunig, Matthew Luffman

Best Set Design (Art): Sofia Cangelosi, Jasmine Evans

Best Supporting Speller: Kylie McGrath, Ella Treco

Math Action Star: Joey Connor, Jolie Whalen

Best Script (Handwriting): Isabella Lundquist, Michael Philp

Director's Assistant (Good Helper): Steven Barton, Dylan Cataldo

Best Screenplay (Writing): Olivia Moynihan, Madison Lang

Leading Lady: Lucy Livingston, Abby Streek

Leading Man: Charlie Duplessis, Alex DelGiorno