School's 'West Side Story' earns Rising Star awards
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL - When something is a labor of love, the effort is natural. When the effort is extraordinary, it does not go unnoticed.

The Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, has recognized Howell High School for its recent production of "West Side Story," awarding the play two Rising Star awards in the categories of "Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group," Howell High School's "Jets," and "Outstanding Achievement in Choreography" by Lisa Twamley, choreographer.

According to information provided by the Freehold Regional High School District, "The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star awards were created in 1996 to encourage and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production of high school musical theatre. Now in its 13th year, the Rising Star awards are a statewide competition of New Jersey high school musicals modeled after Broadway's Tony awards."

Howell High School produces two plays and two musicals every year in addition to the individual performances required by the 200 students who are enrolled in the FRHSD's Fine and Performing Arts program at the school.

"West Side Story" was performed in February.

According to Twamley, the Rising Star awards are a testament to the cast members' hard work.

"This just shows that all of the hard work, the hours spent in classes, the hours spent after school, paid off. The kids have produced a very high caliber of work," she said.

Twamley said music and art are important not only for the education of a student but also for the enrichment of society.

"Art is the soul of our society," she said. "It is important that our youth are exposed to the arts. Here at Howell it is a part of all the students' education. We are not only preparing students for things like (standardized tests), we are preparing them for society as well.

"I feel very blessed that the district allows us to do this and that we have such talented and dedicated students. This is where public education works. This shows that we are getting it right. When you have a body of professionals from the Paper Mill Playhouse recognize our school, that says that we are getting it right," Twamley said.

Stephen Kazakoff, who directed "West Side Story," said, "The recognition of excellence is an important sign that our tax dollars are doing important things. It shows the effort of the school board to create opportunities for students to excel in other areas besides academics."

Kazakoff said that the honor is "another one of the many signs that the educational system is alive, healthy and working. It also shows there is excellent theater being done at the high school level and that it is accessible to everyone for a reasonable cost."

The "Jets" - Josh Pins, Casey Kulik, Nathan Anthony, Jared Isaacson, Paul Pilcz, Brandon Sobotka, Jason Cohen, Kevin Carillo, Jake Shatsky, Mario Raccuglia and Melanie Wildman - accepted the award for "Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group" at the 2008 Rising Star awards gala ceremony on June 10.

The Howell "Jets" competed against five other schools that received final nominations, according to information provided by the FRHSD.