I had the pleasure of chaperoning the North Haven High School Music Department trip to New York last weekend and want to share with you the amazing things I witnessed from North Haven students and teachers.

Our students responsibly handled themselves in new situations, dealt with bumps in the road, pushed through fatigue, and supported each other. They were courteous and appreciative of everything we did for them.

Every day, 200 students managed to get themselves up and get to where they needed to be, prepared and with smiles on their faces. During the four days I spent with them, I overheard many interesting conversations, observed touching gestures of friendship, and saw continual evidence that these were some really amazing youth!

I also can’t say enough about the energy and enthusiasm Ken Tedeschi and Ashleigh Hahn poured into this trip. Their leadership and love for these students shows in everything they do.

Kudos to our music program for outstanding performances and awards, competing against more than 1,200 students nationwide. They earned the Sweepstakes Award for the highest scoring instrumental/choral ensembles; instrumental awards including Silver for Jazz 2, Gold-Adjudicator’s Award for Jazz 1, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Chamber Orchestra; Maestro awards for Jake Houston (oboe/English horn), Nigel Regan (jazz alto sax), and Ben Papsun (jazz piano); and choral awards including first place Gold for Key of She, Men of Note, and One Voice; second place Gold for Concert Choir, and the Maestro Award for Noah Ramos (choral arranging).

When I read our schools’ mission statement, I can’t help but think that these real world experiences are the epitome of education and I can honestly say during the 2015 Heritage Music Festival in New York, that mission was accomplished!

Julie Bossenberry

North Haven