WAKE COUNTY – More than 800 students representing 31 groups from 30 Wake County public schools (16 elementary, five middle and 12 high schools) have been selected to perform in the 2007 Pieces of Gold. Sixty-eight groups auditioned at Southeast Raleigh High School on Nov. 28-29 for the chance to shine in the 24th annual show on March 7, 2007, at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
Pieces of Gold is an annual arts extravaganza produced jointly by the Wake County Public School System and Wake Education Partnership. Students and teachers work throughout the year to produce performances that support the curriculum as well as entertain an enthusiastic audience.
The schools and groups listed below were selected to perform this year:
Aida Cast
Briarcliff Elementary
Brooks Elementary
Broughton High
Combs Elementary/Centennial Middle/Southeast Raleigh High
Enloe High
Farmington Elementary
Fuller Elementary
Fuquay Elementary
Green Hope High
Garner High
Holly Ridge Middle
Joyner Elementary
Knightdale High
Leesville High
Ligon Middle
Martin Middle
Northwoods Elementary
Olds Elementary
Pleasant Union Elementary
Powell Elementary
Sanderson High
Southeast Raleigh High (2)
Underwood Elementary
Wake Forest High
Wake Forest Middle
Washington Elementary
Weatherstone Elementary
Wendell Elementary
Wildwood Forest Elementary
Pieces of Gold began in 1983 as a dinner and show held to raise money for the Wake Education Foundation (which later became Wake Education Partnership), an organization formed that same year to develop a higher level of community involvement and financial support for public schools. Initially, the Foundation’s goal was to establish scholarships for graduating Wake County high school seniors and to fund grants for classroom teachers for special projects. Over the years, Pieces of Gold alumni have gone on to pursue careers in a variety of areas, but some—like Broadway star Lauren Kennedy and American Idol sensation Clay Aiken—started their performing careers right here in Raleigh.
Wake Education Partnership is an independent local education fund that mobilizes resources, leverages relationships and convenes the community to ensure that Wake County prepares our students for lifelong learning in a competitive global economy. Since 1983, the Partnership has worked together with the business and civic community to build public responsibility for world-class schools in Wake County. Programs for 2006-07 focus on retaining effective teachers, developing effective education leaders, and ensuring healthy schools for all students. For more information, please visit www.WakeEdPartnership.org.
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