of the artistic nature of Lakewood students, and each year it is great fun seeing the art
and watching the students stop and get recognized.
Lakewood's artistic leaders sit ready for a lot of handshaking and congratulating. From left
to right: Cindy Marx (Council Woman-At-Large), Ed Favre (School Board), Betsy Shaughnessy (School Board,
Patrick Carroll (Lakewood Municipal Court Judge), Sam O'Leary (Ward 2 Councilman), Emma
Petrie Barcelona (School Board President), Roxann Ramsey (Assistant Superintendent) and
Matthew Charboneau (Associate Director of Music Education, Beck Center), Kristine Pagsuyoin (President Lakewood PTA) gets the students ready for night.
Matt prepares for his talk, as Roxann checks out his pages of notes.
VIPs introduced
Ruthie Koenigsmark (President of stART Neo, and partner in this project, works it from
behind the scenes.
While Kristine speaks, Matt goes over his notes.
Then I could tell that what was about to happen sunk in with Matt. I have had the pleasure of knowing the extremely talented Matthew Charboneau for about a decade. Great guy, father, musician, teacher and speaker. But I could tell he just realized that this is the speech that could launch hundreds of kids into a life of art and music, and he was ready!
Matt takes to Lakewood's stage, just days after returning from Africa where he was
studying music and drumming, and the program starts.
Ruthie, who has dedicated much of her life to art, and the enjoyment of art listens.
Kristine listens to Matt, when Matt is on a stage you cannot help but listen.
The first student artist hits the stage, and is shown the way down the long line of tall older
people wanting to shake her hand. Always a key moment in the night.
Cindy prefers two hand shake.
Ed prefers one but firm handshake.
Ruthie comes to the podium with one of my favorite Lakewood Artists, Sylvia Masek, who
is introducing her group of students.
The line speeds up as more and more talented students are brought onto the stage.
Edie Barcelona, gets a big hug from her mother, School Board President Emma Petrie-Barcelona.
And they just kept coming and coming until the stage was filled with students!
One last big boy and a standing ovation from the audience, then off to cookies and art.
Krsitine, Ruthie you did a great job, and PTA Reflections is always fun.
Parents, please in 2015 let's make this program bigger than ever!
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