Education notebook: Ferris, Medical Lake music groups place at state

Ferris High School music performance groups – the Canterbury Belles, directed by Barbara Tappa, and the Advanced Percussion Ensemble, directed by Ben Brueggemeier – placed second and received straight superior ratings at last weekend’s State Solo and Ensemble competition in Ellensburg. Members of the Canterbury Belles include: Fiona Bates, Meg Bates, Brynna Biddle, Emily Bopp, Clara Coyote, Anne Fields, Kendall Fink, Kyra Fowler, Ruby Gibford, Lexie Green, Emma Hainsworth, Felicia Hebner, Sara Jones, Allie Pinnock, Anna Stockdill, Mackenzie Ward, Madelyn Williams and Morgan Williams.

Members of the Advanced Percussion Ensemble include: Joshua Brueggemeier, Stephen Cannon, Leo Cox, Danny DeNike, John Girsberger, Will Gottsch, Ben Higel, Griffin Hong, Cosette Lemes, Ryan Moore, Bridger Pannell, Nick Powell, Spencer Rye, Justin Sherfey, Erick Thomas and Joel Waggoner.

Medical Lake High School band director Craig Johnson, also led his students to a strong finish at the event. Gabriel Mangione placed third in the snare drum competition, a first in school history. Guitar trio Farez Abounorinejad, Nickolas Isherwood and Emilie Browning placed third in their division and were the first ensemble ever to place. Sofia Novochekhova, Terrell Strain and the percussion ensemble also finished the weekend with a strong performance.

PRIDE Prep presents mystery comedy

PRIDE Prep charter school presents “Murders in the Heir.” Almost every character in this mystery comedy has the weapon, opportunity and motive to commit the unseen murder. It’s up to the audience to decide who actually did it. Each of the heirs to the billionaire Simon Starkweather has the means and the motive to do away with him.

The family cast includes Zane Shirley (Simon Starkweather), Kayla Vinzant (Fiona Starkweather), Brayden Gritton (Jordan Starkweather), Kelani George (Paula Starkweather) and Zane Shirley (Simon Starkweather III). The staff cast includes Grayson Paine (Bensonhurst), Kimberly Johnsen (Mrs. Trent), Jaliyah Joseph (Minerva Walker), Abigail Yohe (Nancy Pollard) and Randall Gritton (Rufus Jones). The professionals cast includes Jaida Freeman (Lois Van Zandt), Kennadi Alent (Miss Withers), Audrey Scott (Kathy Collins), Morgan Beitey (Mike Davis), Elias Baldwin-Bonney (Mr. Sean) and Millie Paine (Usher).

Admission is free. Please RSVP online.

The Oaks’ ‘Beauty’ features large cast

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy presents “Beauty and the Beast,” the classic tale of a cursed prince who must earn the love of a young woman named Belle in order to break the curse and become human again.

Produced by Teri Woodroof and directed by Dalen Gunn, the 82-member cast consists of students grades one to 12 and is the school’s largest play production. Performances begin at 7 p.m., May 18-20, at University High School. Tickets are available online or at the door. $13/adults; $10/ages 2-18. For more information, call (509) 536-5955.

Choir students sing at awards lunch

During the annual Regional Community Leaders Award Luncheon, choir students from Centennial Middle School and West Valley High School were chosen to perform for the superintendents and their honored guests. Brian Vaugh, CMS choir director, and MaryBeth Wagstaff, WVHS choir director, conducted the performance.

Reardan honors 11 with scholarships

Reardan High School honored 11 students with Dale Wilson scholarships on Tuesday. Recipients include: Justis Anderson, Nathan Kieffer, Kaylene Kuykendall, Kamille Langford, Bailey Lyle, Ana Maria, Rebecca Reeves, Marilyn Urness, Alizabeth Williams, Sophia Wynecoop and Grace York-Podsaid.