NBTO Holds Karaoke Contest to Raise Funds for American Cancer Society
The North Babylon Teachers’ Organization raised over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society by participating in the “Making Strides” Walk at Jones Beach on October 16 and by holding a “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Karaoke Contest on the night of October 12 in the district’s high school auditorium. This year’s Karaoke Contest was even more entertaining than last year’s event. Organized by NBTO First Vice President Jeanne Saeli and the Public Relations Committee, the event showcased talented staff members from every school in the district, including two of the district’s Principals, Mr. Golub and Mrs. Jackson. The three judges of the contest were Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Godek, Board of Education Trustee Mrs. Leun, and Executive Director Mrs. Robinson. With such impressive performances running the gamut from Frank Sinatra to Doo Wop to Kanye West and Bon Jovi, no one envied these judges because the competition was intense. Both performers and audience were clearly enjoying themselves.
For the second year, Mr. Ted Wall from Robert Moses Middle School was the energetic and charming emcee who warmed the audience up with his antics and hilarious comments. If anyone stole the show, he was the one with his humor, his song and dance, and his rap. He opened the show with a rousing performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Sign, Sealed, and Delivered,” and he ended the show with a raucous “Mustang Sally,” which drew many of the performers back on stage to serve as back-up and had many people in the audience dancing in the aisles. He even paired with NBTO President Mrs. Selina Durio to sing a very spirited version of “Shout.”
The Robert Moses “Doo Wop Girls” (Jenn Muller, Theresa Marchionna, and Michelle Russo) got the audience moving with their energetic rendition of “My Boyfriend’s Back,” and Brian Snyder gave a “way out there” version of Kanye West’s “Heartless.” Joe Ventimiglia appropriately closed the karaoke contest with Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Night Long,” and that certainly described the entertaining evening.
The high school had several acts. The very dapper Joe Pafundi had the audience singing along on the chorus as he belted out “That’s Amore” a Dean Martin classic. Wearing “This Momma Rocks” tee shirts, Alyssa Imhof and Kristin Loeffler brought the house down as they sang Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield” and danced their way across the stage. These two gals clearly enjoyed performing, and they took home First Place. Cathy Passanante, Lois Emerick, Terry Raso, Kathy Vento, Ginny Reichert, and Fran Lake, six paraprofessionals from the high school who called themselves “The Para-Souls,” had everyone rocking with their version of one of Motown’s signature songs, “Dancing in the Streets.” Needless to say, there was dancing in the aisles as these ladies owned the stage.
Marion G. Vedder Elementary School was represented by two acts. The lovely Marie Rivera, a permanent sub, did Adele proud by singing “Someone Like You” in her beautiful but poignant voice. Not to be outdone, “Sunshine Mary and the Protestors” (Mary Marchesani, Fran Cammareri, Cathy Cullinane, Jen Hager, Ellen Kresic, and Pat Hacket) donned some “hippie” garb and were absolutely delightful dancing and singing Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.”
There were two performances from Woods Road. Mr. Steve Golub, the Principal, proved himself one “cool dude” as he swaggered onstage in a western hat to sing country classic “Sweet Home Alabama.” And Ms. Carol Cianti, a para, had a nicely sung version of Linda Ronstadt’s “When Will I Be Loved?”
William E. DeLuca Elementary School contributed three outstanding performances. Office personnel retiree Dina King returned again this year to belt out the ever popular “In the Still of the Night,” and she clearly had a fan base in the audience. Jody Tafuro with Vicki Vega and Rosa Laviano obviously had fun with their high stepping “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” which delighted the audience. Tom and Doreen Heimerle (Tom is head custodian at DeLuca and Doreen is a para) appeared onstage as a very realistic Captain and Tennille. They had Captain and Tennille perfected as they hammed it up and sang “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Everyone loved this act, and so did the judges who awarded them Third Place.
Parliament Place contributed three performances. Looking sultry in a classy black dress, Angelina Aquilina sang a lovely “What I did for Love,” and David Heins gave Neil Diamond a run for his money with “Sweet Caroline.” The handsome Greg Morisie took the stage in cowboy hat and bandana and, as many of the females in the audience checked their racing pulses, belted out the Bon Jovi “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Clearly not one woman in the audience was wishing Bon Jovi was there. This cowboy took Second Place.
Representing Belmont were the “Belmont Babes.” The “Babes” are Tara Malone, Christine Sussman, Joan Carlino, Tracy Robinson, Marcia Babcock, Jeannine Maresca, and Gina Pertraglia, as well as Principal Valerie Jackson. They were simply incredible as they performed the very energetic Go-Gos tune “We Got the Beat.”
While the judges were deliberating, the Officerettes (NBTO officers Jeanne Saeli, Liz Golden, Kathy Dein, and Diane Collins) sang “One Fine Day” and danced all over the stage. Who knew these women could dance so well and have such fun performing!
In addition to the performers who spent three weeks rehearsing, the karaoke fundraiser was a concerted effort of many, many people. There were 19 baskets that were raffled off. The PTA’s from each building donated a basket and the Public Relations representative from each school, with the help of staff, also donated a basket. The NBTO officers donated a cash basket and the Office Personnel Chapter made a “lottery tree” basket. Mr. Mangiapani, the owner of "Mangia's" donated (without even being asked) a $50 gift certificate to his restaurant, Kim Shea, a professional photographer, donated professional pictures for the evening, and Mrs. McManus made a beautiful "Breast Cancer" blanket. Art teacher Karen Kennely and her students from the high school made the large banner onstage and Leslie Solnick and her students from the middle school made pink ribbon posters. Scores of student volunteers helped with lights, the stage, curtains, and ticket sales. This was an event that truly brought many people together to help “make strides against breast cancer,” and the NBTO thanks everyone who helped make this event a success.
Pictured are the First, Second, and Third Place Contest Winners, Mr. Ted Wall & NBTO President Mrs. Selina Durio performing, and the Officerettes--Jeanne Saeli, Liz Golden, Kathy Dein, and Diane Collins.
