From the halls of Houlton Junior & Senior High School

If the robins are back, warm weather can’t be far behind, can it? The baseball, softball and tennis teams are hoping this is the case as they start their practices. The annual Night of Jazz will be held at the school on Thursday evening, March 31 at 7 p.m. Our High School Jazz Band placed second in Division IV at the Maine State Instrumental Jazz Festival. The group also received a gold rating for scoring higher than an 88, and Marina DiMarco received an outstanding musicianship award.  The Junior High musical, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, will be held on April 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. Spring school pictures are scheduled for Friday, April 29.
Dollars for Scholars News
The Houlton/Hodgdon Dollars for Scholars will be soliciting for donations through their annual Phone-a-thon Monday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 5 in the evening. Graduates of Houlton and Hodgdon benefit from this program. Dollars for Scholars is sponsoring a family spring portrait sitting in the guidance office at Houlton High School on Monday, April 4 and April 5 from 3 to 8 and Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The cost is $20 for one sitting and one 8” X 10” and $12 extra for a portrait of children alone. Call Crystal Folsom at 521-4137 or e-mail folsomcl@yahoo.com. A total of 40 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the local community scholarship program.
Art Department News
HHS art students have their work exhibited in two shows for the months of March, April and May. The “Essence of the North” Student Art Exhibition is currently being held at the Presque Isle Mall. Please stop in if you’re up that way to see all the wonderful student art. The show ends April 2. The “Seeds of Creativity” student art show will be hosted at the Blue Moon Gallery in Visions in Houlton beginning on April 8 and running until May 21. There will be a student reception held April 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. Please stop by to celebrate with these young artists.
Junior High News
An assembly will be held on April 26 at 9:45 honoring seventh and eighth grade honor students. Parents are welcome.
Senior Class News
The senior class is sponsoring the Harlem Superstars vs. the Houlton High School Senior Dream Team on Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m. in the HHS gymnasium.  Tickets are on sale in the high school office and from members of the senior class.  The cost is $7 in advance and $8 at the door.
Student Council News
The Junior High and Senior High Student Councils are still collecting for the Change for Change program.  So far, we have collected over $3,100 to donate to various organizations. Recent collections have been taken for the Houlton Little League program and the American Red Cross’ Japanese Earthquake Fund. If any community members would care to make donations to the program, please call the HHS office.  Contributions are always welcome.