Dalton third-graders get introduction to opera

Third-graders in the Coeur d’Alene School District had the first look at a performance that kids in Post Falls and the Plummer/ Worley school districts will be enjoying later this school year.

Every year for the past four years or so, singers from Coeur d’Alene’s Opera Plus! have gone to each elementary school so kids can hear music they don’t get much exposure to: opera.

The Opera-tunities program happened in Coeur d’Alene earlier this month. Music teacher Julie Powell said she’s coordinating dates with the Post Falls district and will be in the Plummer/Worley district on May 25.

For about 40 minutes last week, third-graders at Dalton Elementary School watched and listened as Powell and fellow Opera Plus! member Bill Rhodes sang in high- and low-pitched voices, rolling their R’s as they introduced the kids to words such as “bravo” and “bravissimo.”

“You are warmed up and ready to begin,” Powell told the students.

Rhodes was an immediate crowd favorite, with his booming opera voice hitting notes so low you expected the ground to start shaking.

“I can sing so low only whales can hear,” Rhodes told the kids before he let out a silent scream.

“The whales are all excited now,” he said afterward.

Powell and Rhodes sang together, performing skits and having the children repeat well-known opera phrases. Six kids were selected from the dozens who risked popping their arms out of their sockets in an attempt to be picked for the volunteer positions.

“We admire not only your sophistication but also your enthusiasm,” Powell told them.

The lesson ended with the class being divided in half and taking turns belting out “Figaro.”

“I hope, I really do hope, that this plants a little seed of curiosity in your minds,” Powell said after the hair-raising shouts of “Figaro” had ceased. “Go see an opera sometime – I just really think you would enjoy it.”

Money given out

More than 25 schools across the region competed in the annual scratch-off competition sponsored by the Idaho Lottery Commission. Representatives from schools as far as Fernwood drove a couple of hours each way just for the chance at winning a few hundred bucks in lottery money.

Each team got 300 $1 lottery tickets and had five minutes to scratch off as many as possible. The five teams that scratched off the most advanced to the semifinal round, and the top three teams went on to the final round.

Lakeside High School in Plummer was the top school, getting $670. Next was Upriver Elementary/Junior High in Fernwood, south of St. Maries, winning $490. The Bridge Academy came in third at $435.

The Lottery Commission held similar competitions all over the state.

A news release previewing the event touted it as “a visual spectacle akin to a mass start in a cross-country skiing race.”

“It was just pretty wild out here,” said David Workman, spokesman for the Lottery Commission.

Champion award

Wondering why you haven’t read about this month’s Numerica School Champion of the Month in Kootenai County?

Blame Steven Burks, a custodian at Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School in Bonner County, and seventh-grader Ayla Neumeyer. Ayla thought Burks deserved the award and the Numerica team agreed, sending the monthly school champion award out of Kootenai County for the first time this school year.

“He cares so much that he came in on the first day of school to talk to us about issues,” Ayla wrote on her nomination form. “Somehow, he made it upbeat though. Instead of saying ‘You need to stop this,’ he said, ‘You need to start this.’ He had us do fun, easy things to make the students and staff feel better. At the end of the first day, he got on the loudspeaker and asked us, ‘Who had some of the highest ISAT scores in Idaho?’ We said, ‘Hoorah Wampus Cats!’ “

Ayla received $25 for the winning essay, along with two passes to Silverwood Theme Park. She also will be entered in a drawing for a free iPod.

Burks received a $45 gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse, a gift bag, a recognition plaque and two passes to Silverwood.

Clark Fork Junior/Senior High will receive $100 to be used how Burks see fit.

The School Champion of the Month is chosen every month through May. Students can nominate their favorite employee at any North Idaho school. Nominations consist of a written essay explaining why the employee deserves recognition. Forms are available at any school office or online at www.numericacu.com.