“Judy Robson, in room A9 at Paul Revere, doesn’t think that parents should yell at their kids and Jeff Wasserman, B8, said his parents are too strict. Louise McFarland, A8, felt that it was important for parents to be understanding and Anne Coen, A9, thinks parents try to understand their children too much and think they’re authorities on everything.” (From “The Town Crier,” April 25, 1956.) Fifty years after students revealed those sage insights while attending Paul Revere Junior High, the school will celebrate its golden anniversary this Saturday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the second annual Music Fest. Admission is $5 and parking is free. At noon, Revere principal Art Copper will take the stage to introduce the first PTA president of Revere, Mrs. Silvia Sher, as well former administrators, teachers and other dignitaries. The Battle of the Bands will start at 1 p.m., featuring middle school bands that have already submitted an audition tape and an application. Each band will have a maximum of 10 minutes or two songs to convince a distinguished panel of professional judges that they should win a prize in one of the following categories: Hottest Band, Best Stage Presence, Most Original Song, Best Vocals, Most Popular, Best Instrumentals, Most Fun, Best Costumes and Best Song. Other entertainment will feature The Bassix, last year’s first-place band from Oak Park Middle School, and Paul Revere’s Madrigals. There will be numerous games and activities for the entire family, like the velcro obstacle course, baseball throw, duck pond and toilet-paper toss. For a small fee, festivalgoers can design their own T-shirts and get airbrushed tattoos. Raffles will give people a chance to win one of six electric guitars, a skim board, t-shirts, and iPod shuffle accessories. Former Revere students, teachers and administrators are urged to sign in at the alumni booth, hook up with long-lost friends, enjoy a piece of cake and look at photos. Alumni are also encouraged to tour the campus and see the changes that have occurred since the graduated. Science teacher Craig Honda’s farm will be open with fun activities. The gym will feature a display of “then” and “now” technology, such as 45s and CD’s, plus a 16-mm film showing the actual construction of Revere. Donations will help pay for converting the film to a CD. All donors will receive a copy once it’s made. Science projects will also be on display, along with “old” yearbooks and school newspapers. While browsing through old yearbooks, look for some of Paul Revere’s most famous students like Ryan O’Neal (who graduated with Darryl Stolper, a current eighth grade history teacher), Randy Newman and Christie Brinkley. The younger generation might have better luck identifying Emile Hirsch (class of 1999), who had the lead role in the skateboard movie “Lords of Dogtown.” Food will be available from from the In-N-Out Burger truck, International Deli salads, Bowers Italian sausages and hot dogs, Robeks, and Sandy Candy. The idea for the Music Fest came from Paul Revere parent Renee Farrer last year. “All the elementary schools have fairs and we wanted something for Paul Revere that would promote community, be for the family and raise money,” she said. “But it had to be an idea that would appeal to the middle-school age, and a Battle of the Bands seemed like the best idea.”
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