Jazz Band plays Mardi Gras gig

The Cheverus High School Jazz Band performed Feb. 7 at the South Portland Mardi Gras celebration held by the UNUM Corporation.

The band, directed by Cheverus Music Director Chris Humphrey, played “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “Old Time Rock and Roll” to kick off the company celebration for its top employees.

The band includes sophomores Anna Neidermeyer, of Buxton, Caroline George, of Limington, Kyle Severance, of Gray, Gerry Wagner, of Scarborough, Josh Boynton, of West Newfield, and Louise Nielsen, of Sydney; juniors Jack Sutton, of Freeport, and Ben Lamontagne, of Long Island; and seniors Anders Nelson and Brian Chiozzi, of Cape Elizabeth, and Drew Harmon, of Hollis.

Spirit Week helps teen shelter

Cheverus High School students celebrated Spirit Week from Feb. 4-8, building camaraderie and school spirit while raising funds for the Preble Street-Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter.

Each day students dropped money into buckets in their classes. At the end of the week the money was counted to determine a class winner. Despite the friendly competition, the real winner was the Teen Shelter.

The Teen Shelter plays a crucial role in ensuring that seamless services are available to homeless and runaway teens ages 12 through 20 during afternoons, evenings and overnight, 365 days a year. The shelter provides a safe place and assists homeless and street-involved youth in getting off the street.

Clark University recognizes project by Portland resident

Audrey C. Seiz, of Portland, was one of 46 Clark University students to conduct Liberal Education and Effective Practice Pioneer Projects. The projects allow students to apply their knowledge to real problems and work with academic faculty toward professional and educational development.

Seiz, a 2009 graduate of Portland High School, is studying a host-parasite relationship in the East Branch Swift River in Massachusetts; her findings are showing that the populations of trout seem to be too small to support such a large population of the mussels, leading to the question: Are the mussels using an alternative host fish like the blacknose dace?

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