WS Chronicle

BY BENITA BROWN 

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Beta Lambda Chapter, hosted an evening of entertainment in Winston-Salem on Saturday, Jan. 14. Parkland High School was the site of the sixth annual Broadway Best Spectacular.  The event, titled “Putting on the Ritz,” was hosted by Bethany Moore, morning reporter of WXII TV-12.

“Putting on the Ritz” showcased the talents of a number of students from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools system. The event remained true to promoting the highest ideals of the teaching profession, fostering sisterhood, and supporting young people in the schools. Elementary Schools represented were Ashley, Konnoak, Griffith, Arts-Based, Petree and Middle Fork. In addition, three middle schools – Mineral Springs, Northwest and Philo-Hill – were represented. Parkland and Reynolds high schools rounded out the group.

Participants sang songs, danced and performed skits and gymnastic routines in hopes of winning the night’s first-place prize of $100.  Second-place prize was $50 and third-place prize was $25.

The members of Phi Delta Kappa Inc., Beta Lambda, female educators in the school system performed an opening act for the event to the tune of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

Principals Dr. Debra Gladstone, Shelia Burnette and Assistant Principal Yamile McBride as well as teachers Robert Kohut and Halima McCaskill, teacher assistants Ebone Foster and Darryl Gordon were there to cheer their schools on.

The first-place prize went to the Mineral Springs Middle Players from Mineral Springs Middle for their gymnastics performance. This team’s daring turns and flips had the audience gasping with delight.

The second-place prize went to the Ellis Dream Steppers of Philo-Hill Middle School. This group of girls, led by Philo-Hill Middle School teacher assistant Ebone Foster, was formed as a tribute to the late Rodney Ellis, teacher at Philo-Hill Middle.

The third-place prize went to Jada Moye, a student at Parkland High School, whose expressive dance performance evoked powerful emotions from one and all.

The festivities also include a “Boys to Men” Fashion Show. The Top Teens of America, as well as grandson/father/son duos and business owners strutted on stage in their stylish outfits. According to the president of the organization, Dr. Patsy O. Squire, the sixth annual Broadway Best was smash hit.