3 Mendham, Chester Students Honored for Musical Prowess

The Mayo Performing Arts Center named its January Students of the Month recently, nearly half of the bunch hails from the Mendham and Chester area.

Aidan Furlong, a senior at Mendham High School, was nominated by Tim Beadle for his excellence in baritone saxophone in Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, as well as his tuba playing in the marching band, tenor sax in the Sax Quartet, bass clarinet in the Pit Orchestra, alto sax in Jazz Combo and singing bass in concert choir and the school’s a cappella group, “Men in Black.”

Furlong was joined by Lindsey Hernandez, an eighth grader at Black River Middle School in Chester, according to mayoarts.org. Hernandez was nominated by Dr. Kenneth Piascik for her participation in concert band, honors music “encore” jazz ensemble, theory program and for being a top member of the “music level system.” 

Next on the list of eight honorees was Dianna Kerr from Mountain View Middle School in Mendham. Kerr was nominated by Leigh Carpenter for her playing of piccolo and flute.

Other students from the area honored in January were from Jefferson Township, Parsippany, Butler, Randolph and Mt. Olive.