North Merrick Theatre Arts traveled over the rainbow with performances of The Wizard of Oz on March 17 and 18 in the Brookside Auditorium. Over 100 sixth grade students participated in the show in the large ensemble cast as well as backstage in the art and stage crews. Student dancers performed in the "Jitterbug" number, and student gymnasts took on the parts of the Flying Monkeys. This was Theatre Arts' 25th Anniversary show.

The Wizard of Oz was produced by Director and Choreographer Joyce Kelley, Musical Director Gail Appel, Art Director Sheila Kuschner, and Set Designer Don Davidson with assistance from Lisa Lobell, Lisa Sokol, Christine Vanella, and Ryan Walsh.

Starring in the production were Emma Klein as Dorothy, Joseph Lentini as the Scarecrow, Michael Martino as the Tinman, Tyler Cruse as the Lion, Mia Mucci as the Wicked Witch, Allison O'Lenick as Glinda, and Nathan Cook as the Wizard.

Ms. Kelley explained that the Theatre Arts performance was based on the original stage production, not the movie version, and she said the audiences really seemed to love it. "The students were so talented and so motivated to put on a great show!," she said.

See more photos of The Wizard of Oz.

The North Merrick WINGS enrichment program, under the direction of teacher Mara Karfinkel, launched the first annual “Shark Tank” competition. Fifth grade students presented ideas for inventions that could solve real-world problems and pitched their products to an audience of “sharks” to gain their financial support. Just like the contestants on the television show, the students were compelling and poised when answering questions about the need for their product, why it was unique, and what made up their profit margins.

Students provided actual prototypes, and the audience voted for the winners. It was a close contest with Joseph Ardito from H.D. Fayette School winning first place for his product, the Pillow Hat, receiving an investment of $1.4 million. Tristan Schulman from Camp Avenue School won second place for his Smart Pen, receiving $1.3 million, and partners Ayden Luchsinger and Lucas Katz from Old Mill Road School won third prize for their FrostFire Bowl, receiving $1.2 million. All the contestants were dressed for success and prepared for their future endeavors as entrepreneurs!

This year, North Merrick students have the opportunity to join the districtwide Robotics Club after school. The club currently has 16 students from the three district schools meeting at Old Mill Road twice in every six-day cycle with teachers Jim Ufier and Lisa Lobel. The students are using Spike Prime kits and web-based Lego programming to create their own Bots. They have successfully coded to instruct the Bots to perform various commands. Most recently, they constructed motorized lift buckets so the Bots can pick up and move objects. The Robotics Club is preparing to compete in the middle school level robotics competition at Adelphi University next year.

The North Merrick Mental Health and Wellness Coalition sponsored the first Wellness Retreat this spring for students in grades 4-6 and their special guests. The retreat was coordinated by teacher Amanda Hocevar and included an array of activities including:

• "Positivity Rocks!" with Jacqueline Sekunda, district guidance counselor, and Jeannette Gingrich, Fayette social worker
• Zumba with Mara Karfinkel, WINGS teacher
• Yoga with Breathe-N-Flow; and
• Guided meditation, breath work and movement with Body & Brain.

Participants shared a morning of mindfulness and lots of smiles! Students received drawstring bags as a memento, filled with fidgets, coloring sheets, and a few activities to enjoy at home.