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SE RV I N G RO C KY H I L L
A world away Friday, October 19, 2012
Highcrest Elementary students get a dose of Ghana’s culture By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
“In the forests of Africa many years ago, the animals lived together,” began Iddi Saaka’s story, before drumming, dancing and singing was intertwined with the tale. It wasn’t long before the students at Highcrest Elementary were asked to join him on stage in Wednesday morning’s performance, brought to the school by the Wethersfield Creative Arts Council in collaboration with Arts for Learning Connecticut. Every student in kindergarten through grade six in town gets to experience this interactive dose of traditional Ghanaian culture this fall, and the hope is that it will encourage them to respect and appreciate a culture very much unlike their own. Volume 53, No. 37
Erica Schmitt | Staff
Highcrest Elementary School hosted Iddi Saaka of Arts for Learning CT, courtesy of the Wethersfield Arts Council, which brings art-related programming to Wethersfield schools.
“More and more we’re seeing these types of programs be removed from the schools in favor of more academic programming,” Julie Lemos, co-chair of the Creative Arts Council said recently. 50 Cents Lemos’ oldest son is a secondgrader at Highcrest, and like other parents she’s spoken with, she is delighted at any chance for him to be exposed to the art forms of different cultures. “Keeping the arts in the schools has always been important to me,”
she explained. “I grew up involved with music and theatre and am still involved, so I wanted to make sure my kids had the same opportunities. It’s important for so many reasons; studies show it help them with enrichment and extends into their other subjects, and it’s just fun,” added Lemos, who collects funding from each of the schools’ PTOs to provide one to two programs each fall and spring to kids in kindergarten through eight grade. See PROGRAM, Page 9
INSIDE:
Local students make the cut at ‘The Olympics of Hair’ By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
Local students were recently recognized in an international competition for beauty professionals deemed “The Olympics of Hair.” Hailing from the International Institute of Cosmetology, headquartered on the Silas Deane Highway, the students won top awards at the Organisation Mondiale Coiffure Hairworld Show held in Milan, Italy earlier this month. The IIC was also recognized as the Best International Academy at the competition, which takes place every two years and evaluated competing schools from 23 different countries this year. IIC Founder Carmelo Gugliotti traveled to Italy to accept the school’s awards, including that of student Bianca Bruno, who won First Place for “Junior Ladies Long Hair Design.” Her work, as well as that of other student contributors, was submitted last spring in the form of photographs. “Now we can actually prove that we do offer the best education,” IIC Managing Director
Bianca Bruno was awarded First Place in the category of “Junior Ladies Long Hair Design” at the Olympics of Hair in Italy for her eccentric style.
Martin Gugliotti said Tuesday. The Gugliotti family credits their ability to harness stylists from all over the world in their educational program, including an international champion from Germany whose visit this week gave students the opportunity to learn cutting-edge avant garde styles firsthand. Two students from The See LOCAL, Page 8
Carnival to benefit Keane Center a resounding success Page 7 Crossroads offers safe after-school fun, Page 10
The Simeon Belden House
Council OKs contract to renovate several Old Wethersfield landmarks, Page 2