Daycroft’s “Monster Mash” Is Once Again a “Graveyard Smash,” Thanks to Organizing Efforts of Recent School Alumnus Thane Feldeisen, 16

Ann Arbor, MI (November 12, 2010) — Daycroft Montessori School’s pre-Halloween “Monster Mash” on Saturday, October 23 was the ninth annual occurrence of this school-wide celebration, and the party was as frightfully fun as ever. Some 450 Daycroft students, parents, family members, and friends were there.

Daycroft alumnus Thane Feldeisen, 16, hangs decorations for Monster Mash 2010.

Daycroft alumnus Thane Feldeisen, 16, hangs decorations for Monster Mash 2010.

Yet this year, for the first time, Monster Mash was not primarily the work of the Daycroft Parent Guild. Instead, the head volunteer planner and organizer behind the scenes was a fairly recent alumnus of the school — 16-year-old Thane Feldeisen of Ann Arbor.

How did this come about? Let Thane explain: “A few months ago, I learned from my mom that Monster Mash might not happen this fall. Daycroft was having trouble finding parents who had enough time for all of the coordinating work that goes into putting on the event. I thought of how much I’ve always loved Monster Mash, and how I didn’t want my family, and everyone else at Daycroft, to miss out on it. So I took on the task.”

Daycroft students Nina Gardner (as Dorothy), Leoni Kress, and Kai Ruwende. (The little boy is unidentified.)

Daycroft students Nina Gardner (as Dorothy), Leoni Kress, and Kai Ruwende. (The little boy is unidentified.)

Squeezing the party planning into Thane’s already busy schedule was no small challenge. He’s in 11th grade at Greenhills School, and between his studies and competing as a member of the school’s tennis team (this year’s Division IV State Champions, by the way), there wasn’t much of Thane’s time to spare.

“A big reason I could get the job done,” he said, “was knowing I’d have almost 100 other volunteers to follow through on the details.” Thane was particularly thankful to about a half-dozen friends he recruited to help set up and tear down before and after the party.

Spooktacular Success

Daycroft students Maya Powell, Carmelia Jarjoura, and Margo Jarjoura

Daycroft students Maya Powell, Carmelia Jarjoura, and Margo Jarjoura

Regular Monster Mash attendees know it to be Daycroft’s biggest party of the year, and the 2010 version was no less spooktacular.

The festivities unfolded from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the school’s Elementary Campus on Zeeb Road. All children and nearly half of the adults — including Daycroft teachers and administrators — were in costumes. Activities took place amid entertainingly eerie lighting and divertingly dreadful decorations throughout the school.

Daycroft preschooler Jaya Boggess

Monster Mash highlights included a mad lab in the science room, creepy crafts in the art room, and music, dancing, and games — all with hints of the happily horrific — in the school’s gymnasium.

Daycroft’s littlest monsters, mostly preschoolers and kindergarteners, had their own age-appropriate “Mini-Mash” area. Here, the scary effects were toned down.

Children trick-or-treated at the “Sweet Shop,” while attendees of all ages nibbled on hot dogs and other easy-to-eat goodies at the “Halloweener Hut” food station.

Daycroft student Benjamin Kovacs

Daycroft student Benjamin Kovacs

In the “Freaky Photos” room, Daycroft students and families could be captured on camera against a choice of ghoulish green-screen backgrounds. Meanwhile, the “Bootification Spa” administered monstrous manicures, horrible hair-spraying, and frightening face-painting.

Exceptional Leadership

For the Feldeisen family, Daycroft Montessori School has long been a central part of life.

Thane attended the school from kindergarten through grade 5, with just one year elsewhere for 4th grade. His sister Delaney, 14, and brother Gage, 12, are also Daycroft alumni, and brothers Trey, 10, and Finn, 7, currently attend. Parents Pam and Ron Feldeisen are highly involved in school activities.

Daycroft student Emma Larson

What’s ahead for Thane? He has no firm plans for college yet, but he’s interested in a medical career, and will likely choose a school with a solid pre-med program.

No matter where the future takes him, big things can be expected of Thane. As Diane Mukkala, Daycroft’s head of school, asserted, “This year’s Monster Mash was a big success, thanks largely to Thane’s efforts. That’s an exceptional leadership achievement for anyone, of any age — and the Daycroft community greatly appreciates it.”

About Daycroft Montessori School

Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive teaching methods. Daycroft thus accomplishes its educational mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their full potential.

Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County's leading independent schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.

Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS; www.nais.org) and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org).

Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 930-0333.

Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft's administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Phone: (734) 662-3335.

Media Contact:
Chris Kochmanski
DesignHub, Inc.
(734) 944-8705
chris@design-hub.com

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