Lighting the Way for Education

Guilford Courier October 11, 2007 By: Pam Johnson

In much the same way residents gravitate to the Green for Guilford's annual tree lighting, Guilford Fund for Education (GFFE) hopes the town turns out to "Light the Way for Education" on Oct. 20. Dozens of appreciation stations featuring student art creations and music samplings will be ready for visitors to enjoy.

At sunset, hundreds of luminaria, selected by residents to honor favorite teachers, mentors, coaches, or other student influences, will be lit. "This is really a true celebration of education and educators. The grants are one part of our mission and the other part is to celebrate education," said Leslie Krumholz, GFFE co-chair with Dan Smith.

The GFFE was established in September 2006. A fund within the Guilford Foundation, GFFE is committed to fostering innovation and excellence in learning for all Guilford students. GFFE grants have already made a noticeable impact in Guilford's learning landscape. Grants are supported by donations; events like "Light the Way" are "friendraisers," helping with GFFE operating costs while helping the community share an enthusiasm for education, explained Krumholz.

Luminaria bags, $5, will include the name of the person honored. The bags are available through merchants around the Green, online at www.gffe.org, and on event night. "We'd like to have 600 bags. That's not an impossible goal, when you think of the number of kids in the school system, and adults, who've been touched by an educator or individual," said Krumholz.

Focusing on artistic student talents was a natural fit for the celebration, she added. "We wanted to make it a celebration of the arts and showcase the work they do, and obviously the benefit of instruction they've gotten in school." Students of all ages, abilities, and artistic media are providing material, said Luminaria Event co-chair Pam Kelly (who shares duties with Lisa Lelas). Kelly said the town's art and music teachers, including those teaching her own children, have made an effort to get students involved. "I've got a fifth-grader and a sixth-grader, and they're so excited that their artwork is going to be a part of it," said Kelly.

Another Guilford educator who's embraced the idea is GHS art teacher Molly McDonald. McDonald offered the GFFE the notion that her students, and others, could create a series of six-foot event banners. Each has its own unique style; many bear inspiring quotes selected by students. "It's really a great lesson in public art for them. Each of the banners comes from the students' point of view. There's a lot of learning here," said McDonald. All members of McDonald's classes made banners, as well as members of some classes taught by GHS art teachers Cheryl Kling and Marissa Garibaldi. "We even have banners created by groups. The Business Club used money from their treasury and had it done in vinyl, two-sided with grommets-that's the prototype," said McDonald, smiling. Forty banners produced by GHS students will be laminated (thanks donations from USI of Madison and Royal Printing of Guilford) and hung around the Green to compliment a huge variety of art in many mediums, as Krumholz described. "We're going to display the work in a lot of different venues along the Green, and all of our music students will be performing at those venues.

Little trios and quartets will be going on where the artwork is being shown." Guests can stroll past student work in art galleries, shops, other buildings around the Green, as well. Just before sunset, a brief ceremony will be held at the main stage, featuring live music, short speeches, and student singing. "GHS Voices will sing some arrangements that [Voices Director] Tahme Adinolfi has done. The elementary school students have all been learning a couple of songs, and they're welcome to hop up on stage for those two songs. We're finishing with a song written by [Guilford children's musician] Dave Alpert, 'Together We Can,'" said Krumholz. The lyrics for "Together We Can" will be in the program, so the community can sing along. "The idea to bring the community together...It's an opportunity for everybody to come to the Green and support education, be together.and celebrate the work our teachers do and our kids produce," said Krumholz.

To purchase a luminaria or for more information, visit www.gffe.org. Order online with a credit card or download a form to complete and mail with a check to: GFFE 800 Boston Post Road #269 Guilford, 06437.