Pottstown Basketball Team Honors Fallen Trojan

The Pottstown High School Basketball Team, shown hear wearing special T-shirts with his name, honored the memory of Shamir Edwards at their final game of the season.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District.

The Pottstown Boys Basketball Team honored Fallen Trojan Shamir Edwards before their last home game recently.

Shamir was a student at the high school from 2012 to 2016, he received his diploma in June of 2016

Shamir's jersey

and was accepted to East Stroudsburg University. 

In November of 2016, early in his freshman year, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. 

Six months later, in June of 2016, at the age of 19, Shamir passed away.

His family, friends, teachers, teammates and his school have mourned his passing. 

The players, coaches and administration paid honor to his memory by dedicating the game in his name. 

The game, also served as a fundraiser to establish a scholarship in his name to be given to a graduating senior athlete exemplifying the qualities of courage and humility. 

An empty seat was placed on the Pottstown bench draped with a number 11 jersey symbolizing his loss. 

His family along with friends and honored guests, were asked to come to center-court to be introduced. 

Shamir's memory will live on in the hearts of his family and teammates.He will be an honored chapter in Trojan Basketball history.

Shamir's family was on-hand for the ceremony, indicating his number, 11, with their fingers.

McCoy-Swinehart is DAR Good Citizen of the Year

Katie McCoy-Swinehart and Daughters of the American Revolution Regent Kristine Parkes

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District

Pottstown High School Senior,Katie McCoy-Swinehart has been recognized by the local chapter of the Daughters Of The American Revolution as their Good Citizen Of The Year.

She is a member of the track and cross country teams. 

Katie is also a representative to student government and a member of the National Honor Society. S

High School Guidance Counselor Amanda Scholwinski described her as a kind young lady who is extremely reliable and dependable and has strong family ties and values. 

DAR Regent, Kristine Parkes said "It is reassuring to know that we have young people of high character like Katie to take their place as our future leaders". 

'The Wiz' Opens Friday at Pottstown High School

Advance tickets are $7.
$9 at the door.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District: 

The Pottstown School District will present its all-district musical in seven years, 'The Wiz,' at Pottstown High School’s Davenport Auditorium on Friday March 4th, Saturday March 5th at 7 p.m. and Sunday March 6th at 2 p.m.

Nicholas Parson in his full 'Scarecrow'
make-up and costume.

Christopher Sperat, the director of the production and pre-kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, along with a committee of dedicated teachers and administrators, spearheaded the revival of the musical last year with the district's first performance in six years.

"Presenting 'Grease' last year was simply a remarkable experience," said Sperat. "At our end of the year all-district meeting, Dr. Sparagana announced that the musical was back and it was alive and well in Pottstown."

"For me, that was the ultimate validation of the work that the entire production team accomplished with the students," Sperat said.

"Truly, Pottstown's finest were featured on that stage last year. Because of that, we are so excited to see our program grow into an all-district musical this year," said Sperat.

Seth Thomas has his hair turned green 

for his role as The Wiz

" By featuring the elementary and middle school students right next to our high school students, we are witnessing the future of this program live and on stage right before our eyes," he said. "How fantastic is that?"

With the massive success of 'Grease,' the production team decided to return to Pottstown’s tradition and make this year’s musical, The Wiz, an all-district-musical involving students in grades 4-12 as well as teachers and staff. 

Bob Decker, this year’s stage manager is elated. “Last year’s production exceeded our expectations in all areas. We had fantastic talent from dedicated students and staff. The result was a fantastic experience for both the students and the audience." 

"This year, 'The Wiz' will blow the audience away. This production is HUGE," said Decker.

Here is some video I shot for a story The Mercury ran last month on the production:

Superintendent Jeff Sparagana REALLY wants you to see The Wiz.

"We have a cast that is four times larger than last year. The set, scenery, and music are going to be outstanding," Decker said. "Our audiences are going to be in for a fantastic musical adventure with Dorothy and her friends the first weekend of March. Come join us.”

Mardaije Pearson, who will bring life to the lead role of Dorothy in this year’s production can’t wait to take the stage on opening night. “I am very excited to work with all of my wonderful cast mates and to be able to provide fun and entertainment for my community.”

For more information, including purchasing tickets in advance through PayPal, visit our district web page at www.pottstownschools.org/thewiz.aspx . All tickets are general admission and will be sold for $7 in advance and for $9 at the door on the day of the show.

Pennsylvania Philharmonic Runs Away to the Circus

The circus is coming to Phoenixville ... kind of.

One of the Pennsylvania Philharmonic's more unique offerings this season is "Cirque de la Symphonie," a combination of acrobatic performers and classical music.

And you start off the New Year with their performance Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Phoenixville Area Middle School.

Tickets are $41 each and can be purchased on-line at http://www.paphilharmonic.org/ or by calling 610-401-3650.

Live in front of a full symphony orchestra, internationally-acclaimed Cirque de la Symphonie performers including a cast of jugglers, contortionists, strongmen, and others that will dazzle the audience.

 It was hailed by the Cincinnati Enquirer as a "crowd-pleasing hybrid of circus and fine art."

But it won't by the symphony's only performance in Phoenixville this season; or in Pottstown for that matter. 

On Sunday Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. the Pennsylvania Philharmonic will perform "Four Season of Vivaldi and Piazzolla," with Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim performing as soloist and interpreting the iconic works of Vivaldi and Tango master Astor Piazzolla.

This performance will also be at Phoenixville Area Middle School.

On Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m., the Philharmonic's movie soundtrack show, "Symphonic Soundtracks," will come to Pottstown High School. 

From the opening notes of Strauss’ Sprach Zarathustra from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries from Apocalypse Now to Offenbach’s Can-can from Orpheus in The Underworld from Titanic and Moulin Rouge or Barber’s Adagio for Strings from Platoon, music makes great movies unforgettable. Music Director and Conductor Michael Butterman will share with you some of the most poignant, rousing and memorable selections from your all-time favorite feature films.

And on Friday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. the Philharmonic's final performance of the season, "Beethoven Masterworks," will be performed at Pottstown High School.

Michael Butterman leads the Philharmonic in three of Beethoven’s finest compositions. Exuberant, powerful and triumphant only start to describe Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Pianist Lura Johnson along with the Pennsylvania Philharmonic Chorus under the direction of Dr. William Wright brings the brilliant Choral Fantasy to life. The exhilarating masterwork Egmont Overture opens the program.

The Symphony also offers a "Flex Pass" ticketing system.

With Flex Pass, you choose the venue and the performance. They send your Flex Passes in the mail, and you can decide how to use them right up until the day of the concert.

For example: With Flex Pass 6, a party of six can attend one concert, or three people can enjoy any two performances throughout the upcoming season. Flex Pass 4 gives you four passes for just $152.00, and provides preferred seating to two music lovers at two concerts OR, four people can choose any ONE of our concerts. You choose the venue! Flex Pass 4 holders will also have exclusive access to a Meet-the-Maestro reception with Music Director Michael Butterman. (Exact dates and locations to be determined -- watch your email for details.)

Prices are $152 for Flex Pass 4; $216 for Flex Pass 6; $272 for Flex Pass 8 or $320 for Flex Pass 10.

Visit the Symphony web site for details.