Pictured are: Sam Curlee, Steven Blumberg, and NP FBLA Adviser Linda Westerlund

North Penn High School Future Business Leader of America (FBLA) adviser Linda Westerlund was recently named to the FBLA Adviser Wall of Fame for the Phi Beta Lambda chapter. This recognition is specifically created for advisers and state chairs who have made a difference and have contributed 20-plus years of service to the national Phi Beta Lambda chapter of FBLA.

Westerlund is the current department chair of the Business Administration and Technology Department at the high school. She has served as the North Penn High School adviser of FBLA for the past 21 years. In this time she has attended 14 national conferences and administered a competitive event at the last 10 state leadership conferences for the organization. Through her guidance, leadership and encouragement, four NPHS students have served on the state leadership board for the Pennsylvania chapter of the FBLA. She has had four students compete at the national level and ultimately placing in the top ten in competition.

Westerlund was nominated by current NPHS student Steven Blumberg. Her name will be added to the Adviser Wall of Fame at the FBLA National Center in Reston, Virginia. She will also be recognized during an adviser forum at the National Leadership Conference.

Tired of ice and snow? Then pick up your spirit and usher in Spring with North Penn High School Theatre's production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." Experience live on stage the romantic Broadway musical created from the Oscar winning animated Best Picture film. All your favorite characters: Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Cogsworth, Gaston, the Beast, and of course, Belle in her breathtaking yellow gown, take the North Penn High School auditorium stage May 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and, on May 4 at 2 p.m. for special Sunday matinee. Please note, there is no Saturday matinee.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The free Gold Card matinee for senior citizens in the North Penn School District is April 30 at 1 p.m. No tickets are necessary for the Gold Card matinee and doors open for that performance at 11:30 a.m. All performances are in the North Penn High School auditorium.

In addition to the show, please "Be Our Guest" on Sunday, April 6 from 8 to 10 a.m., as NPHS Theatre hosts a special Beauty and the Beast Character Breakfast at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, 1281 Knapp Road, North Wales, PA. General Admission tickets are $7. Enjoy pancakes and sausages with a variety of beverages. Many of the Beauty and the Beast characters will be greeting guests and signing autographs.

To order tickets for both the Applebee's Beauty and the Beast Character Breakfast or for the North Penn High School Theatre production, download Ticket Order Forms by clicking here. If you are interesting in attending only the Disney's Beauty and the Beast production, you can also order tickets by clicking here. Credit Card and handling fees will apply for on-line purchases. These fees will not apply for tickets ordered with a Ticket Order Form or purchased at the door before any performance. Gold and Silver Cards will be honored at all performance. Please follow all directions on the Ticket Order Form to secure your tickets.

Tickets are selling rapidly and are limited! So don't wait and chance the dreaded "sold out" notice! Avoid long ticket lines at the door and order your tickets now for both events.

Bring yourself, your children and grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and neighbors; Disney lovers and romantics of all ages, to experience for the first time, or enjoy once again, the "Tale as Old as Time." You will leave the theatre with a bounce in your step, a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

The month of March celebrated music education as designated by the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) as being named Music in Our Schools month. Throughout this time of year, music education became the focus of schools across the nation, being an appropriate time to congratulate the NPSD music department on their recent accomplishments.

The jazz ensembles from Pennbrook and Penndale middle schools, as well as the Wind Ensemble from North Penn High School were selected to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) State Convention in late March. The ensembles' were invited as a result of audition recordings submitted to the PMEA in the spring of 2013. The audition committee reviewed more than 130 recordings from around the state and selected the top band, orchestra and choral ensembles at the elementary, middle, high school and college level.

The Pennbrook and Penndale jazz ensembles are comprised of seventh, eighth and ninth grade students who are selected by audition from each of the school's three concert bands. The ensembles rehearse one evening a week from October to May and perform frequently throughout the North Penn School District and surrounding area at school concerts, music festivals and community events. Both ensembles have been awarded "Superior" ratings at area band festivals.

The North Penn High School Wind Ensemble, directed by Mr. Michael Britcher, is comprised of 60 students who were selected by audition from the more than 200 band student musicians in grades 10-12 at the high school. The Wind Ensemble performed at the 2012 Music for National Concert Festival, in Indianapolis, and the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Honors Wind Band Festival at Rutgers University.

The wind Ensemble and jazz ensembles performed at Hershey Lodge before an audience of music educators, musicians, composers, music publishers, music industry representatives and parents.

In addition to these performances, several NPHS students were selected to All-State ensembles. These students were selected after rigorous auditions at the District and Regional levels. Sophomores Joshua Faia and Joshua Weckerly were named to All-State Band. Tucker Breder, Alison Chapman, Kuhoo Verma and Brianna Weckerly are participating in the all-state chorus. Sophomore Neil Goh was named to the all-state orchestra and senior Anthony Cubbage was named to all-state vocal jazz. Congratulations to these incredibly talented NPHS student musicians.

In late March, NPSD was notified that the district was again recognized as a "Best Community for Music Education" by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). It is one of the more than 300 school districts nationwide that received the prestigious designation.

The Best Communities designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education as an integral part of the core curriculum.

"The student musicians in North Penn School District are not only talented, but also dedicated to succeeding in music. This passion is because of the time and commitment given from each teacher in our music department and the dedication of our families," said NPSD superintendent Dr. Curtis Dietrich. "Participation in music activities helps to develop a student as a whole. Student increase their musical aptitude and skills, but learn leadership skills, social skills, teamwork, and a strong work ethic and appreciation of one's craft from their studies."