Orchestra director Leo Milman, director of the Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club, middle school and high school choral director Danielle Turchin, Music Department Chairman and band instructor Tim Field, middle school art teacher Michelle Egelston, high school art teacher Kathy VanLoan and elementary and high school art teacher Keith Baker share credit for Canajoharie Central School's recognition as the top district in New York for promoting Music and Arts.

Canajoharie named Outstanding District for Promoting the Fine Arts

The New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYCOSS) recently presented Canajoharie superintendent Richard Rose with an award recognizing the district as the best in New York State for promoting music and arts.

After naming Canajoharie as a finalist, NYCOSS representatives visited the school to experience our program firsthand and to interview the staff. In the end, Canajoharie was named the best, beating two other finalists from more affluent districts on Long Island.

"This achievement is a tribute to the students and their parents," said Music Department Chairman Tim Field. "Any good teacher must have students who are willing to be dedicated and committed to learning. We have been blessed with students like that, students who are supported by parents who understand the value of music in the lives of their children. The music teachers of CCS are encouraged by this recognition, and we are exceedingly proud of this music program."

"I have been fortunate enough to represent our country as a mentor to educational programs in the developing world," said Kathy Van Loan, the chairperson of the CCS art program. "Those countries are discovering what the Canajoharie Central School knows: creating and appreciating art is the key to understanding oneself and one's culture. The art teachers at CCS have worked to make art a central portion of the lives of the children entrusted to us. We are grateful for the recognition provided by this award."

"This award belongs to our community which has a long tradition of supporting theatrical arts. This community attends our performances, encourages our youngsters, and most importantly, has provided us with the Arkell Performing Arts Center at Canajoharie High School a theatre without parallel in the our region." stated Canajoharie-Fort Plain Drama Club Director Sarah Ells.

NYCOSS cited many aspects that distinguish the music and arts program of the Canajoharie Central Schools above all others, including the extraordinarily high percentage of students involved in music and the arts. They noted "Music for Everyone", a unique program that encourages members of the community to donate used musical instruments to the district as a tax-deductible charitable donation. This program provides needy students with the instruments they need to continue in the music program.

Photo: Leo Milman (orchestra), Sarah Ells (theatre arts), Danielle Turchin (choral music), Timothy Field (band teacher), Michelle Egleston (Middle School art), Kathy Van Loan (High School Art), Keith Baker (Elementary and High School art). Missing from photo: Susan Crua (Elementary Chorus)