Two talented Glenelg High School teachers will retire at the end of this school year, and both will be missed greatly by their students. Susan Miller, the drama instructor who has organized 48 productions during her 16 years at Glenelg, and Barry Enzman, the band director who has been leading bands at Glenelg for 41 years will both be enjoying well-deserved retirements.
On Saturday, June 6, at 6 p.m. there will be a Farewell Performance to Miller in the Glenelg High School auditorium. The Concert Choir will perform, along with several Glenelg alumni, including Broadway actress Caroline Bowman, who is currently starring in "Wicked." Come join students and alumni as they celebrate Miller's career at Glenelg in this free performance.
The following week, on Saturday, June 13, there will be a celebration of Enzman's career in the auditorium at Glenelg High beginning at 3 p.m. Glenelg alumni, students, colleagues and friends will perform music and speak about how Enzman has touched their lives.
This event is also free, but you must have tickets in order to be guaranteed a seat. Information about tickets is available on the Fans of Barry Enzman Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/groups/thanksbarry. You can also go to the website http://www.thanksbarry.com.
On Sunday, June 14, there will be one final opportunity to hear the Glenelg Jazz Ensemble before they leave for their tour of Europe. They will perform a free concert on the Columbia Lakefront Stage at 3 p.m. during the Columbia Festival of the Arts, Lakefront Summer Festival.
The seniors at Glenelg have honored Enzman with the 2015 Senior Class Teacher of the Year Award. This award is presented annually by the graduating class to one teacher at each of the county high schools, and is a special honor for the teachers because it is awarded by the students they have taught for the previous four years.
Nancy Votta, one of the chairs for the After Prom Party at Glenelg High School wants to thank the many local businesses that donated money to sponsor this event designed to keep our students safe on Prom Night. Over 450 students had a wonderful time at the After Prom Party in May. The chairs, Carol Allen, Melody Scaldara and Votta, are grateful to all the parent volunteers and the Glenelg staff members who helped with the event. After Prom was fun for everyone because of all the donations of time and money made by the community.
Amy Syversen, the band director at Dayton Oaks Elementary and West Friendship Elementary Schools was expecting her second child on June 13, which would have allowed her to direct the end of school year concerts and events before she went on maternity leave. However, the baby had other ideas. Syversen was rehearsing the West Friendship advanced band when she went into labor on Friday, May 22. She managed to drive herself home to Columbia, where she joined her husband Eric in a long drive to the birth center in Arnold, worsened by Memorial Day beach traffic. Addison Catherine Syversen made her grand entrance less than two hours after her mom went into labor. Congratulations to Amy, her husband Eric and big sister Camden. Benjamin Learish will be substituting for Syversen, and will now be conducting the bands for their end of year concerts.
Congratulations to Glenelg High junior Kevin Zheng, the Howard County Youth Yolunteer of the Year for 2014. Zheng co-founded Glenelg's Students Against Destructive Decisions Club, serves as an officer in Glenelg's Key Club, volunteers at The Starfish Foundation, is the student representative on the Howard County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board and works as an assistant coach for the Glenelg Tennis Team. He is an extremely busy volunteer who is very deserving of this honor.