Alumni association names 2017 Honored Guest

The Springfield High School Alumni Association (SHSAA) announced Friday that Tom Battista, retired Springfield Schools Choral Director, will be the 2017 Honored Guest at its annual festivities.

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2017-06-06 / Local Alumni association names 2017 Honored Guest Tom Battista. — COURTESY OF SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Tom Battista. — COURTESY OF SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Springfield High School Alumni Association (SHSAA) announced Friday that Tom Battista, retired Springfield Schools Choral Director, will be the 2017 Honored Guest at its annual festivities. Each year, the SHSAA selects an individual as "Honored Guest" for its annual festivities. This individual is honored to recognize the contributions and positive differences he or she has made in the lives of our citizens/students, schools and community. Battista began teaching at Riverside Middle and Springfield High Schools in 1980 and retired from that position in June of 2003. He then continued part time at Elm Hill Elementary until 2007. As chorale director, Battista organized many concerts and festivals at local, district and state levels. Over the years, he brought many guest musicians into the schools and hosted the All-State Music Festival in 1996 (the year the school district bought the grand piano). He is most proud of this because it brought so many musicians to Springfield. He was also instrumental in creating the Springfield High School Madrigal Singers, a select vocal ensemble. The Madrigals still perform in concert as well at Rotary Meetings, elementary schools, senior centers, hospitals/ nursing homes and as singing valentines. Under the leadership of Battista, students participated in district, state and All New England Music Festivals, exchange concerts and numerous high school musicals. The Springfield High School Concert Choir received a bronze medal At the Philadelphia Music Festival. Battista was named "Outstanding Music Educator" by the Connecticut Valley Music Festival Association for the Vermont District 1999-2000. In 1982, Springfield School District named him as one of the representatives to "Outstanding Teachers of the Year" sponsored by the University of Vermont. Battista believes anyone can sing, stating that "if you walk you can dance, if you talk you can sing." He thoroughly enjoyed nurturing and encouraging the vocal talents of Springfield's youth over the years. He is also an avid New York Yankees fan. Battista will be honored at the Annual SHSAA banquet to be held on Friday, June 16, at the VFW in Springfield, beginning at 6 p.m. The SHSAA invites the public to join in as we honor and share memories with Tom, recognize this year's top SHS graduates, crown the 2017 SHSAA King and Queen, introduce scholarship recipients, recognize the Roberta Stokes Hall of Fame honorees, and enjoy a delicious dinner. For banquet reservations, contact Jean Patoine at (802) 226-7904 or Donna Jacobs at 463-9572. Don't miss the parade on Saturday, June 17, beginning at 10 a.m. (rain or shine)!