Spring always brings an abundance of amazing live performances at D-E! Fifth Graders recently took center stage to present a set of three distinct shows for this year’s Fifth Grade Original Musicals (formerly known as the Fifth Grade Opera). What makes this event so amazing is its focus on collaboration and that each student has a specific role that’s essential to any production — scriptwriter, composer, musician, actor, set or costume designer, stage manager, and public relations officer. The first show, titled “Meister Heisters,” was about kids that get tricked into thinking they will be in a movie about an art heist that ends up being a real heist. The kids work together to double-cross the criminal and then, in a stroke of good karma, receive a monetary reward in the process. The second show was about a girl who feels pushed by her mother to get perfect grades. She’s transported to a different time and place where everyone is forced to do hard labor and isn’t used to having fun because they are ruled by a demanding king. She helps teach the ruler how to be kind and give his villagers a better life. When she returns home, the girl decides she will speak to her mother about her feelings, rather than lashing out. The final show also highlighted the importance of kindness to others. Special thanks to Ms. Dove, Ms. Crawford, Ms. Maloney, Ms. Miller, and Mr. Mannie for helping our fifth graders shine in the spotlight!

D-E is still buzzing following last week’s highly anticipated Jazz Rock Assembly, directed by Mr. DeBellis with vocal coordination by Mr. Kacmar. The event featured almost a dozen riveting performances by student vocalists and instrumentalists, including “The Mighty Flutes,” an ensemble composed of Katie Chen ’26, Ananya Kannan ’26, Oriana Huang ’26, and Sophia Yue ’26. Mr. DeBellis shouted out the seniors, as this would be their final performance before graduation. “We’re going to leave it all on the stage for you today!” he announced. Highlights included a duet of Tone Stith’s “Fly,” by Madigan Kacmar ’26 and Kenneth Seymour ’26; Jesse Lucy ’27 channeling Michael Jackson with his performance of “Human Nature”; Ella Mansager ’26 singing “You Don't Own Me,” a hit from alumna Lesley Gore D’64; Amaya Calleroz White ’28 crooning Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie”; Isabella Morales ’26 delivering a soulful rendition of Erroll Garner’s “Misty”; and Jian Harrell ’26 bringing down the house with Sombr’s “12 to 12.” Thanks to all the Jazz Rock performers and D-E Performing Arts staff for capturing the magic of this moment!

The Emerging Technologies Club recently hosted a STEM Symposium for students in the Upper School and Middle School to share their passions and STEM knowledge with the school community. Club leader Jared Mosseri ’27 described the Symposium as “a great way to explore a research interest more deeply or showcase a project you’ve already been working on… and potentially gain access to STEM-related competitions beyond Dwight-Englewood.” The event was set up like a science fair in the STEM Building. “We aimed to create an environment where students could learn to communicate their ideas, defend their methodologies, and receive constructive feedback from both teachers and peers,” explained club leader Sylvie Yao ’27. “Independent research pushes students to analyze real-world issues, from global warming to assisted technology, and develop creative solutions, which is what the STEM Symposium hoped to showcase… We saw students find ways to mak