Arendt to be honored at High School South

PHOTOS BY JERRY WOLKOWITZ Above, Joseph Malfa (above l), the Middletown school district’s television production technician and Linda Ranger (above r), a television production teacher at Middletown High School North, work with studio cameras at Middletown High School South’s new television studio, which will be dedicated at the school on Jan. 7 and used for instruction and the taping of major school events and Board of Education meetings.

Board member was known to many as ‘Mrs. High School South’

By josh davidson

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — High School South will mark the completion of its building renovations project and recognize the contribution of one of its beloved community members in an upcoming dedication.

At right, Tom Riti, television production teacher at Middletown High School South, sits behind the console of the school’s new television studio, which will be dedicated on Jan. 7 at the school in memory of Judith L. Arendt, a deceased former Board of Education member who was known affectionately as Middletown South’s mom.

The ceremony, scheduled for Jan. 7 at 3 p.m., will dedicate the school’s new television studio in the memory of Judith L. Arendt, who died earlier this year.

Arendt was a member of the Board of Education at the time of her death in February.

"She was a woman who volunteered an endless amount of time," High School South Principal Daniel J. Lane said. "She did a lot of very positive things for the community, students and teachers."

Known to many as "Mrs. High School South," Arendt was also heavily involved in parent organizations and supporting the schools her children attended.

Arendt helped to organize the district’s Project Prom effort and would help run the after-prom parties.

In addition to her involvement with Project Prom, Arendt also used to run an internship program through the League of Women Voters to teach students about citizenship.

The former board member passed away from cancer during her term last year.

Arendt also served as a past Parent Faculty Association president, and as a member of the Music Parents Club and Booster Club.

The dedication will be on what would have been Arendt’s 50th birthday.

The television studio is what Lane said is one of her fondest accomplishments.

That, however, was just a fraction of her district involvement that he mentioned.

Arendt’s other work included helping school band members obtain instruments and speaking with students about voting rights.

Arendt was also regularly seen at school football games, Lane said.

"She was never intrusive," Lane said of Arendt.

"She was a real funny lady who cared deeply about the students. (The dedication) is very fitting for her."

Lane said he sent out about 500 invitations to the dedication and a large turnout is expected, including Arendt’s family and friends.

The studio is what Lane called "the last piece of the puzzle" to complete the referendum renovations at the school. Voters approved a $78 million referendum for school renovations in 1996 and additional funds last December.

The school also now contains state-of-the-art science labs and a new media center.

From the project doors and walls were also adde to classrooms.

This was something the school lacked for 30 years, because the original building was designed with an open classroom layout.

"This is the last leg of the facelift," he said.

The $750,000 studio will be used for instruction and the taping of major school events, such as football games and board meetings.

It will consist of four cameras, with a complete console of televisions and computers, Lane said.

The studio can be used to teach students television technology and producing, Lane said.

"I’ve been in education for years and this is a pretty spectacular thing," Lane said.

"I’ve never seen anything as handsome as this."

Lane called the dedication "a celebration for the new high school south" and an opportunity for the community to see the end product of their big financial and emotional commitment to the high school.

"(The studio) is a beautiful structure," he said.

"I think it’s something that will be very pleasing to the community. This is so people can see where their tax dollars are going."