Senate Resolution No. 2453

BY: Senator JACOBS

HONORING Orchard Park High School upon the
occasion of its designation as recipient of two
Kenny Awards for Outstanding Orchestral Performance
and Outstanding Scenic Design on May 13, 2017

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be underestimated; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Orchard Park High School upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of two Kenny Awards for Outstanding Orchestral Performance and
Outstanding Scenic Design celebrated at an Awards Ceremony on Saturday,
May 13, 2017, at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Kenny Award was created in 1993, in honor of the late
Dr. Ken Lipke, the founder of Gibraltar Steel; this prestigious award
is a testament to his passion and dedication to the arts and to his
belief the business community is an integral pillar of support for the
arts; and

WHEREAS, Since then over 130 outstanding musical productions from
local high schools have been recognized and honored by the Kenny Awards;
the school which wins the Kenny Award for Outstanding Musical Production
receives a $5,000 grant from the Lipke Foundation to support their
theatre department; and

WHEREAS, "The Kenny," a crystal trophy commissioned and designed
exclusively for the program, is on permanent display at Shea's
Performing Arts Center and stands as a tribute to the young talent
throughout Western New York; and

WHEREAS, Nominated for five Kenny Awards, Orchard Park High School's
modernized presentation of Into the Woods garnered its gifted students
two Kenny Awards for Outstanding Orchestral Performance and Outstanding
Scenic Design; and

WHEREAS, During the Ceremony, Orchard High School students showcased
their exceptional talents with a six-minute medley of some of the group
numbers and solos from the show; and

WHEREAS, Written in the late 1980s by Stephen Sondheim and James
Lapine, Into the Woods intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm
and Charles Perrault fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the
characters' wishes and quests; it follows classic characters such as
Cinderella, Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood,
Rapunzel, and two original characters as they travel through the woods
on a journey to reverse a curse put in place by a witch; and

WHEREAS, The talented artists and designers brought the story to
life with their beautiful and intricate scenery; viewers truly felt as

if they were in the middle of a cool, dark forest, and could almost
smell the pine of the evergreens; and

WHEREAS, The perfectly in tune orchestra helped the audience feel
the various emotions of the well-loved characters through high and low
notes, fortes and crescendos, and changing tempos; and

WHEREAS, The cast members sacrificed family time and sleep, and
worked hard during their rehearsals, fully aware that the amount of time
and energy they are willing to expend directly affects the quality of
their production; and

WHEREAS, The students held two evening performances, and two
matinees, giving friends, family members and the community at large
several opportunities to watch this amazing show, and applaud the
superlative musical talents of their young people; and

WHEREAS, Music study is most worthy of being encouraged and
promoted, as it provides an opportunity for students to exhibit their
skills to an audience, thereby giving them self-esteem to last a
lifetime; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Orchard Park High School upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of two Kenny Awards for Outstanding Orchestral Performance and
Outstanding Scenic Design on May 13, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Orchard Park High School.