Teachers Hold Beatles Concert for ALS
The Concert
Teachers in the high school have been committed to helping find a cure for ALS for the past five years since they lost a colleague, Mary Murphy, to the disease, and on March 25th teachers throughout the district came together to perform a concert of Beatles music in the high school auditorium to raise funds for ALS. The event was produced by Barbara Brown and Paul Scollo with Paul also serving as the Music Director. Besides the 21 musicians there were well over 30 other crew members, not to mention other staff, PTA and PASA members, and custodial helpers.
The high school auditorium rocked with music and enthusiasm. Students clearly understood that this was not just a chance to see their teachers perform but also an opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause. Their respect and commitment were apparent when Barbara Brown talked about ALS and introduced Mr. Christopher Pendergast, the founder of the local chapter of ALS.
The teachers who performed were amazingly talented. Paul Scollo played a sassy guitar, bass, and harmonica and backed up almost every performer. There were several stand out performances. Mary Susan Noll wowed the audience with her interpretation of "Blackbird" and "Revolution," and Ted Wall from the middle school brought the house down with "Day Tripper." Band Director Frank Russo proved himself to be quite a performer himself with his delightful "Octopus’s Garden." Tim Pescatore played guitar and bass and sang a rocking "Back in the USSR." David Signorelli, the high school musical and drama director, played a mean guitar and sang "Eight Days a Week" and "Ticket to Ride." Guidance Counselor Kristen Loeffler was all over the stage as she gave a high octane solo rendition of "Can’t Buy Me Love" and a rocking "Here Comes the Sun" with Alyssa Imhof. The ever charming Erin Casserly gave a rousing performance of "Ob-la-di-ob-la-da," and she and Paul Scollo gave the audience a truly Beatles moment with "Two of Us" and "Should Have Known Better."
The high school auditorium was packed with enthusiastic students and community members who came out to support this event which raised well over $5,000 for ALS. By popular demand this has become an annual event with teachers devoting numerous hours of their time to rehearse. But it is well worth their efforts.
The History
Fundraising for ALS started when high school librarian Mary Murphy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease but chose to become active in ALS and continue teaching until her demise. As her close friend Barbara Brown says, "Mary taught us not just how to die bravely but also how to live with grace and courage. She was an inspiration to the whole school and her spirit lives on in all of us who continue to fight for a cure."
Inspired by Mary, Ms. Brown has taken the school on an inspirational fundraising journey that has involved a large number of students and faculty members. Led by Ms. Brown, who was a past recipient of a NYSUT Community Service Award, they have so far raised well over $100,000. Just last year alone they presented Ride For Life, the local ALS chapter, with a $20,000 check and they expect to do the same this year.
Other ALS Fundraisers By Staff and Students
Each year the fundraising begins with a "Hearts of Hope" Valentine’s Day sale that began while Mary was still alive. Members of Leaders Club sell red hearts for $1.00. Students and staff members purchase hearts and can remember a loved one on it. Many to this day still write notes to Mary on their heart. The hearts are displayed throughout the school but most especially outside the library which has been named after Mrs. Murphy.
Teachers also hold an ALS Teachers’ Happy Hour Fundraiser with raffles and auctions at Mary Carrolls in Babylon Village. The last event for the year is The Ride for Life itself where patients with ALS ride their motorized wheelchairs from Montauk to Manhattan to raise awareness and money. The Ride takes two weeks and stops at schools along the way. This year they will be starting their 11th day at North Babylon High School on May 19th. Over 100 students will be walking as escorts with the wheelchair patients through the streets of Babylon. Each of these students have committed to raise at least $25 but most raise more than that. Students and teachers from West Islip High School will be walking with North Babylon students again this year. In addition, Mary Murphy’s daughter Jean Ellen, who quit the corporate world to become a teacher after her mother’s diagnosis, will bring a busload of her students from Washington Heights in Manhattan to join in the walk. She will be accompanied by the Principal of her school, who lost her grandmother to ALS. For all participants, this is truly an inspirational event as they walk beside the brave men and women who bodies have been ravished by ALS but whose spirits remain brave and strong.
