Hello, again! My name is Connor Steffen, and I just wrote an article on “Seussical: the Musical Jr.”, and that got me going crazy for SEUSS!!!!! So, here are some fun facts about Dr. Seuss.

1) The character the Grinch was based off Dr. Seuss because he didn’t like Christmas.
2) Dr. Seuss’s book “If I Ran the Zoo” holds the distinction of being the first published record of the word “nerd.”
3) Dr. Seuss wrote 44 children’s books and there are now 200 million of those books around the world.
4) Dr. Seuss’s name was Theodor Seuss Geisel — Seuss being his mother’s maiden name. He started using it as a pseudonym at university. He added the “Dr.” later, as a joke, because his father had always wanted him to get a doctorate and become a professor.
5) Dr. Seuss was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, where his grandparents lived on Mulberry Street — hence, the title of his first book. He studied at Dartmouth College (in the US) and Oxford University (in the UK). In 1948 he and his first wife Helen bought an old observation tower in La Jolla, Calif., where he would shut himself away in a studio for at least eight hours a day, sometimes literally wearing a thinking cap.
6) Dr. Seuss’ most popular book was “The Cat in The Hat.”
7) Dr. Seuss was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Mass., and died of throat cancer on September 24, 1991, in San Diego, Calif.
Dr. Seuss married twice but never had any children. When people commented about this, he used to say, “You have ‘em; I’ll entertain ‘em.”
9) Dr. Seuss’ parents were named Theodor Robert Geisel and Henrietta (Seuss) Geisel. His father managed a brewery in Springfield and was the son of German immigrants. Seuss had one sister named Marnie.
10) While he was at college, Seuss wrote for a college magazine called “The Jack-O-Lantern.”
(Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3523393.stm)

Remember I will keep on posting articles on Seuss, and don’t forget to stop by the Padua Theater May 4th and 5th for “Seussical: The Musical Jr.”

By Connor Steffen, Grade 6

Hello, I’m Connor, and I am in this year’s school production of “Seussical: The Musical Jr.” This year Mrs. Lloyd joins Mrs. Monczewski, Mrs. Platten, and Mrs. Miklich to put on the production. The question still in my mind is regarding the auditions for the musical. I am wondering how some of the students thought it went (now that they’ve already gotten their parts). I also wanted to know for which part they were trying out (singer, actor, or dancer). I interviewed Alaina Ricciardi, Allyson Stibley, and Grant Bell.

Alaina
Q: Were you scared when you were waiting to audition? Why?
A: No, because I felt confident with what I was doing.
Q: Were you trying out for an actor, singer or dancer?
A: I was trying out for both, actor and singer.
Q: Why did you want to do the musical?
A: I did the musical because I did it last year and it was a lot of fun.
Q: Were you in the musical in previous years?
A: Yes, I was in the musical last year.
Q: Why did you pick the role that you did (singer, actor, dancer)?
A: Because I love singing and I feel I am a really good actor.

Allyson
Q: Were you scared when you were waiting to audition? Why?
A: I was scared before but when I got into the auditioning room I wasn’t scared anymore.
Q: Were you trying out for an actor singer or dancer?
A: I was trying out for an actor.
Q: Why did you want to do the musical?
A: Because I wanted to get a lead and I thought this year would be my year.
Q: Were you in the musical in previous years?
A: Yes, the past two years.
Q: Why did you pick the role that you did (singer, actor, dancer)?
A: Because I am best at acting.

Grant
Q: Were you scared when you were waiting to audition? Why?
A: Yes, because I was nervous I would not have made the musical.
Q: Were you trying out for the role of an actor, singer, or dancer?
A: I didn’t know at the time I was great at all three, but if I had to pick I would pick singing and dancing.
Q: Why did you want to do the musical?
A: Because I like singing and thought it would be fun.
Q: Were you in the musical in previous years?
A: No this is my first year at the school.
Q: Why did you pick the role that you did (singer, actor, dancer)?
A: Because I liked to do both singing and dancing, and I was good at both.

I will be adding updates on the “Seussical,” so remember to always check back soon for more!

By Connor Steffen, Grade 6

Did you ever wonder how Jesus felt on Good Friday? The fifth-graders are doing the Living Stations at Mass on Friday, March 30th. The Living Stations are where they have to act out 15 stations that show what happened to Jesus on the day he died on the cross. The stations go from the very beginning of that horrible day to the very end when he rises from the dead on Easter Sunday. We want the students to feel like they are there watching Jesus suffer. He was in so much pain that he fell three times! The soldiers hurt him. They didn’t believe he was the son of God, our Father. The Living Stations is an amazing way to see how Good Friday to Easter Sunday really happened. We will be doing another performance for the families at 7 p.m. the very same night. We hope you and your family will be able to go to this meaningful event.

By Mary Gill, Grade 5

The eighth-grade Christmas play, “The Only Christmas Pageant in Town,” was a total success, but do you know what went on behind the scenes? That’s what we wanted to find out. We went behind the scenes with Miss Taylor, the director, and Erica Rogers, who played Stephanie. These are the some of the questions and answers.

1. Was it hard to put on the performance?
Miss Taylor: It was pretty hard because there was only a minimum amount of space for the students to practice.
Erica: It was hard to memorize the lines and all the songs.

2. Did you write the play?
Miss Taylor: No. The play was written by Faye Couch Reeves.

3. How long did it take you to prepare for the play?
Miss Taylor: It took about two months.
Erica: It took about 1 month.

We give a big thanks to all the eighth-graders for putting on a fabulous Christmas play for our enjoyment!

By Abby Grant and Hunter Velasquez, Grade 4

(UPDATE: April 12, 2011)
Dear Students,

Hi again! The school musical has a new rocker, Alaina Riccardi, a fifth-grader who has a knack for singing. Also it’s time for a new lesson! Right now we are learning to do the dance moves. Wow, this is really getting close to the actual play! Bye for now.

Signed,
Emma

(March 22, 2011)
Dear Students,

Did you hear: The annual school musical is just around the corner! This year the exciting musical selection is School House Rock Jr. Well, because it has been around for a long time, most of the students and parents should recognize the classical, fun and energetic music.
I have asked some people and students what they think the show will be like. Many think it will be a pleasure to watch or be in. Ashley Scheutzow, a fifth-grader in room 206, agrees with those people. She thinks that the musical will be a very exciting activity in which to participate She also thinks that because she has been in previous school plays it will be a joy just like every other year.

Onto the songs! The songs are best feature of the play because they have a good dance beat. Many of the people in the audience can be part of the amazing cast when the performers sing a wonderful song you know. Think: What songs from School House Rock Jr. do you know?

Did you make the play? Well if you didn’t, you still have a chance to help. You may want to help by being part of the stage crew, ushering people to and from their seats, or even passing out programs while the audience members are walking in. Just contact Mr. Bonezzi, Mrs. Ruffing, or Mrs. Monczewski. Please write a note to one of the contacts, but have your parent sign it. Also give a way to have one of them contact you.
Signed,
Emma McGiveran, Grade 5