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Colonial School District honors National Merit finalists and spotlights thriving music programs
Summary
At the March 20 board meeting Colonial School District recognized seven National Merit Scholarship finalists and multiple students and staff for district, regional and state music honors; the board and administrators highlighted concerts, student achievement and upcoming community music events.
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — The Colonial School District recognized seven National Merit Scholarship Program finalists and highlighted a string of music achievements and upcoming events during the board’s March 20 business meeting.
Dr. Jason Picani introduced seven high school seniors named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Picani said the students advanced from semifinalist status after submitting detailed scholarship applications covering academics, activities, leadership and honors. The students named at the meeting were Ronald Keane, Dhruv Patel, Akil Royg, Andrew Sparka, Noah Smith and Celia Zafali (who was unable to attend). Dr. Picani said the group is unusually large for the district in recent years.
The board also used the meeting to mark Music in Our Schools Month and recognize students selected for district, regional and state ensembles. Kristy Langus, Elementary Music Curriculum Liaison, announced that two Colonial musicians — Katie Abadi and Ace Creighton — were selected for higher‑level ensembles. Langus said Katie performed in PMEA districts for band and orchestra and in choir, and that Ace earned regional placements for band and orchestra and is the first student from PW to make PMEA State Orchestra in over 10 years. Ace performed a short excerpt on a district‑owned bassoon; Langus thanked the board for acquiring the instrument for the program.
Bailey Casis, president of the Triad Chapter of the National Music Honor Society, gave a student report outlining district music activity this year, including more than 25 students representing the district at various honors ensembles, the first dual‑enrollment music course with the University of Pittsburgh, upcoming spring concerts (PW orchestra on April 2), the PW Jazz Cafe on March 24, and a Junior High Song Festival in a few weeks. Casis also said roughly half of the graduating seniors plan to continue music beyond high school.
Superintendent and board comments emphasized a banner year for the arts in the district, citing large elementary audiences that required moving a concert to a larger venue and several successful musical productions at the middle and high schools.
The recognitions highlighted both individual student achievement and district investments in music instruction and instruments, and the board thanked staff, music teachers and families for supporting the programs.
Ending: The board’s recognition of National Merit finalists and the music program came as the district also addressed routine business matters. Community events referenced at the meeting include the PW Jazz Cafe and several spring concerts; the district posted additional program details on its website as noted in committee reports.
