Category Archives: School

MY DAY: Sunday…. and we’re off….

It’s 10:25 PM, Sunday night, and my day that began at 1:00 PM is finally complete. I love these long days exhausting though they can be at times.  Once I get started the momentum only increases.  By 9:00 PM I … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Disney, Documentaries, Every day life, Family Cats, Family Dogs, Family Pets, Musical Theatre, PBS, Private Students, School, Teaching, The Haasienda, Theatre, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

…Winter Percussion Season…

Quintin has been enjoying his time with the Fairmont Winter Percussion ensemble, which has been sweeping up contests, left and right. Here is a glimpse of Quintin’s primary love at the moment.  Several of the photographs are courtesy of Patti … Continue reading

Posted in Drum & Bugle Corps, Entertainment, Every day life, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Indiana, Music - Marching Band, Parenting, School, The Haasienda, Winter Percussion - MEPA, Winter Percussion - WGI, Winter Percussion Ensemble | Tagged | Leave a comment

…Quintin featured in national adoption newsletter…

Quintin was featured in HEARTLINES, the national newsletter for The Adoption Exchange. Read the article here:  Heartlines Fall 2011  

Posted in Blogroll, Every day life, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Music - Marching Band, NACAC, Parenting, Playwrighting, Private Students, School, Teaching, The Haasienda | 1 Comment

Being Darin Haas means you are blessed to have Destin Haas as your brother!

Without going into detail, I can honestly say, “I am glad last week is behind me.” I truly value my younger brother, Destin, all the more, as a shining example of what our nation’s education needs in the leadership arena. … Continue reading

Posted in Blogroll, Darin's Career, Every day life, Family Life, Fowler, Indiana, Indiana, Inspiration, NACAC, Parenting, Private Students, School, Teaching, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

My corner of the sky…

Everything has its season Everything has its time Show me a reason and I’ll soon show you a rhyme Cats fit on the windowsill Children fit in the snow Why do I feel I don’t fit in anywhere I go? … Continue reading

Posted in Carillon Park, Cox Arboretum, Darin's Career, Deeds Point, Drum-Major, Every day life, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, Fowler, Indiana, Fraze Pavilion, Indiana, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Museum of the US Air Force, Music - Marching Band, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, Playwrighting, Private Students, School, Single Parent, Spirituality, Teaching, The Haasienda, The Secret, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School, Vacation & Travel, Walking/Hiking, Woodland Cemetery | Leave a comment

School Referendums…

I grew up in a wonderful Hoosier town, thirty some miles north of Indianapolis. It was called, “The Heart of Hoosierland.” When I think back on my youth, I am always filled with beautiful memories of those days, and times … Continue reading

Posted in Indiana, School, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Is anybody there…?

This week has been saddened by, yet, several more youth suicides due to bullying. Regardless the struggling youth’s issues, we adults – parents, teachers, neighbors, coaches, directors, youth leaders, etc. – need to take the lead in this universal epidemic to … Continue reading

Posted in Every day life, Family Life, NACAC, Parenting, School, Teaching, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Band Camp, Wisdom Teeth, A Wedding & ACTION…

I think I passed three of the most enjoyable days of my summer! Thursday morning, I had a two hour lesson with one of my graduated seniors, Ryan Crouch, and as always, it was a great time – and tons … Continue reading

Posted in Carillon Park, Darin's Career, Dayton, Drum & Bugle Corps, Drum-Major, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Friends, Indiana, Miami Valley of Ohio, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, Private Students, School, Single Parent, Teaching, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

We… Hold… These… Truths…

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Barak Obama, Broadway, Carillon Park, Christianity, Colonial America, Composing, Cox Arboretum, Darin's Career, Dayton, Deeds Point, Disney, Documentaries, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, History Channel, Humor, Indiana, Inspiration, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Museum of the US Air Force, Music - Band, Music - Choral, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, PBS, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Performing, Playwright, Playwrighting, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Richard Nixon, School, Single Parent, Smithsonian Institute, Spirituality, Teaching, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, The Secret, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, White House, Woodland Cemetery, World History | Leave a comment

Starting a new week…

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and … Continue reading

Posted in Blogroll, Family Life, Family Pets, NACAC, School, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

Butler's Coleman Hemsath marks his 30th production with Singin' In The Rain

Originally published: http://www.examiner.com/x-27336-Dayton-High-School-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d29-Butlers-Coleman-Hemsath-marks-his-30th-production-with-Singin-In-The-Rain Eight years. Thirty productions. This averages to 3.75 shows each year. Most of these thirty productions, however, were accomplished within the past five years. This incredibly busy rehearsal and performance schedule has been maintained by Coleman Hemsath, … Continue reading

Posted in Acting, Actors, Broadway, Entertainment, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Performing, Playwright, School, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School | Leave a comment

Wayne High School senior Tray Shelton shines in Moon Over Buffalo

Originally published: http://www.examiner.com/x-27336-Dayton-High-School-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d28-Wayne-High-School-senior-Tray-Shelton-shines-in-Moon-Over-Buffalo “I have been interested in theatre for as long as I can remember. I think the main reason the stage has always been appealing to me is because in a small town like Huber Heights, you don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School | Leave a comment

Fairmont grad Phil Drennen launches new writing career following Altar Boyz tour

Originally posted: http://www.examiner.com/x-27336-Dayton-High-School-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d26-Fairmont-grad-Phil-Drennen-launches-new-writing-career-following-Altar-Boyz-tour This 2002 Fairmont graduate, now a performer living in New York City, was known in the Miami Valley for cow roping, singin’ and dancin’ in the rain, gambling, and dancing in pajamas. Now, having completed a national … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Friends, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School | Leave a comment

Centerville HS senior Jack Gallagher lights the way

Originally published:  http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-27336-Dayton-High-School-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d23-Jack-Gallagher-lights-the-way “The shear difference from a plainly lit stage before the show, and the last little touch – lighting adds to a production that truly takes you to where the show takes place.” This is why Centerville High … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School | Leave a comment

STEP-OFF with the Marching Firebirds

Late afternoon Friday the skies began turning gray, and rain threatened the Miami Valley. Just as Jose was leaving to report to the band room, the splotches of wetness began appearing on the sidewalk. Within minutes the deluge had begun. … Continue reading

Posted in Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Parenting, School, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

…Back To Blogging…

God, how many times have I written that title over the past few years I have blogged. My cousin, Dana, and my friend, Jeff, are tremendous, faithful bloggers. I always try to use these two as role models with cooking, … Continue reading

Posted in Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre | Leave a comment

…Out of the PAJAMAs and into a… grass skirt?…

Sunday afternoon, the production of THE PAJAMA GAME at Beavercreek High School ended. I am generally a little teary-eyed following a production, but this time I was relieved. April 14th, the orchestra conductor was fired and I was handed the … Continue reading

Posted in Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Family Life, Harry Truman, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Parenting, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, School, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History | Leave a comment

Catching my breath…

I feel as though I am finally catching my breath for the first time in a month. Where do I begin? Well, I am vocal director for Beavercreek High School’s production, The Pajama Game. The director and I are up … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Musical Theatre, Parenting, Playwright, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Now, Sunday…

Another busy week behind us… Beginning last Monday I was not feeling well, and my temperature hovered around 100-101 degrees. My sister-in-law, Stacia, had been taken ill with strep last weekend, and then my brother, Destin, got it this week. … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, Fowler, Indiana, Friends, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, Religion, Robert Schuller, School, Single Parent, Spirituality, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…Weekend of Winter Guard…

The long, long weekend is over… If parents work shifts at the Winter Guard International (WGI) or percussion contests, money will be applied towards your child’s marching band account. So, I volunteered for Saturday. Kathy Symes, the parent coordinator, and … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Friends, Indiana, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Playwright, School, The Haasienda, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

…And it's finally the weekend…

I cannot believe Friday is upon us, yet, I am so thrilled it is here.   Last Friday I had breakfast/lunch with Bill Hetzer, and taught the remainder of the afternoon. After teaching, I went in to watch TWO AND … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Family Life, Indiana, Movies, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Parenting, School, The Haasienda, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

My son and Racial Profiling…

This morning, I read this post on Elwood’s internet site. This particular post read:   In response to Obama’s complaint that FOX News doesn’t show enough Black and Hispanic people on their network, FOX Network has announced that they will … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Family Life, Indiana, Music - Marching Band, NACAC, Parenting, Politics, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, U.S. History | Leave a comment

2008 Marching Season comes to an end…

It is 10:55pm and we are home from a semi-cold, blustery day on the marching field. Yesterday, we had no marching band or other commitments. Jose and I did the traditional end-of-marching-season dinner – he chose Golden Corral (not my … Continue reading

Posted in Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Inspiration, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Robert Schuller, School, Spirituality, The Haasienda | Leave a comment

Candidates & The Arts…

Jeff Carter, my friend who is now the director of music at Webster University in St. Louis, always finds the neatest things. This was an incredible discovery! http://jeffreycarter.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/candidate-record-on-the-arts.pdf

Posted in Ball State University, Ball State University Singers, Entertainment, Music - Band, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, School, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

All in a day…

It is 11:35pm on a Wednesday night and I am finally winding down after a full, productive day. After thinking through all I have accomplished I feel like I have competed with my cousin, Dana, who seems to cram four … Continue reading

Posted in Broadway, Entertainment, Fairmont High School, Fairmont Marching Firebirds, Family Life, Family Pets, Inspiration, Music - Marching Band, NACAC, Parenting, Playwright, School, Single Parent, The Haasienda, Theatre, U.S. History, Wright Brothers | 1 Comment