Second Annual Sagamore Day is a Celebration of School Spirit

Students and staff performed musical numbers, and also got the chance to compete in fun challenges inspired by the TV show Minute to Win It last week at the second annual Sagamore Day at .

Sagamore's assistant principal, Patricia Trombetta and student government advisors and math teachers, Patty Scaturro and Tiziano Torquato spearheaded and organized the fun-filled day of school spirit and togetherness.

"There's so much testing with the kids; they work so hard.  This is their reward to celebrate their successes and Sagamore, and enjoy the day," said Scaturro.

Torquato served as the energetic emcee in the auditorium. 

One of the acts was The Village Teachers performing "YMCA," which included staff performers:  Matt Timmons, Andrew DiNapoli, Dr. Scott Dohrman, Ryan Carroll and Sean Cully.

"It's a great way to get to know us in a different way.  Sometimes students don't see teachers as real people.  I'm a little nervous and anxious right now.  We're real people," said Dohrman before hitting the stage to a very warm reception from the students who were singing along and doing the hand gestures synonymous with the iconic song.

The Sagamore Chamber Music Club, the Jazz Band and orchestra also showcased their talents. 

Some standout student entertainers included:  Miranda Commisso, with a dynamic vocal performance of "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls, David Fehrman, who wowed the crowd with his slick moves as "Breakdance Boy" and Eric Moran, who was out of this world in his "E.T. Alien Dance."

The success of the eclectic showcase would not have been possible without the aid of teacher, Vanessa Sullivan.  She stayed afterschool with the kids multiple times, helping them hone their acts.

A slideshow, with photos of Sagamore teachers from their middle school years, capped off the festivites.  Kids got a kick out of deciphering which —  sometimes awkward —  picture belonged to which teacher.

Teachers selected about 30 students to be recognized with a certificate for something outstanding that was not necessarily academic such as recogniton for "Happiest Kid" and "Hardest Worker."

"It's celebrating that we're Sachem, and more importantly we're Sagamore," said Trombetta.

Brett Mitchell won the Top Fundraiser Award after collecting $150 for the American Heart Association in honor of his grandfather who passed away from a heart attack.

"It felt great.  I was so surprised; I didn't know I raised the most money," said Brett.

In the gym, teachers Gillian Kolodny, Ken Parkinson, Larry Sciarrone and Mike Lacetera with emcee Ashley Marchese ran Sagamore's Minute to Win It. 

It featured hilarious challenges such as "Noodling Around," where contestants had to balance six pieces of uncooked spaghetti; and "Elephant March", in which each contestant wore a stocking on their head with a baseball in it, and used their "trunk" to try to knock down all eight water bottles.

An added element of excitement came from the fact that the winning kid contestants got to choose a teacher to go against next, and then it pitted teacher against teacher in each hilarious feat.

"It's really fun to have a reward for working so hard," said seventh-grader Daniel Sorensen.

The Sagamore Cheerleaders and Arrowettes also put on action-packed presentations in the gymnasium.

Trombetta said, "The teachers put so much hard work in.  They go above and beyond to make everyone feel included and appreciated, and part of our Sachem family."

Download the movie