Middle school strings make name for themselves at music contest
The Bluffton middle school orchestras participated in OMEA's Large Group Adjudicated Event on May 15 at Parkway High School.
Bluffton 6th Grade String Orchestra performed in class 'C' with 'Dragon Slayer' by Rob Grice, 'Clog Dance' by Elliot Del Borgo and 'Main Street March' by Robert Frost. The group received an 'Excellent' rating.
Bluffton Junior High String Orchestra performed in class 'A' with 'Dragonhunter' by Richard Meyer, 'The Red Gully' by George Sweet and 'Minuet from the Royal Fireworks Music' by Handel. The group received a 'Superior' rating, The orchestras are under the direction of Rachael E. Lewis.
6th Grade members
Row 1: Krystal Kaufman,Carlin Mathewson, Chris Frysinger, Levi McLain and Daniel Siders.
Row 2: Mrs. Lewis, Grant Klinger, Gabe Neuenschwander, Elizabeth Wright, Allison Burghaze and Melina Meza.
Junior High members:
Row 1: Grace Paquin, Andrew Burroughs, Arielle O'Neal, Noah Adams and Brennan Davies.
Row 2: Patrick Estell, Lylah Aguirre, Kaitlyn Clymer Ana Neufeld-Weaver, Courtney McLaughlin, Lily Shadle, Katie Daws, Annalise Nisly, and Mrs. Lewis.
Row 3: Kaitlyn Montgomery, Zoe Kramer, Tori May, Lexi Lehman, Miranda Briggs, Tucker Neff, Chad Veit, Angelica Williams and Matt Daws.
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- October 19 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
- Production offers a modern take on the story of St. Clare of Assisi
- Bluffton volleyball edged in 5 by Van Buren
- Pirate girls soccer tie O-G
- Bluffton Council recap: Officers honored for 25 years of service
- Bluffton Clean Up teams up with Troop 3256 Cub Scouts
- Ada FFA: Feeding the Farmers
- Nov. 7 Fall Community Day at Bluffton University
- Quarry Farm Nature Preserve news for Fall 2026