To the Editor:

I graduated from the Lyme-Old Lyme Class of 2021 and am now a Senior set to graduate from the Bryant University Honors Program in May of this year with a Marketing Major. I strongly urge the Lyme-Old Lyme Board of Education to reconsider the decisions that have been made about the music program. There are numerous ways that this change will negatively impact students, the teacher, and the program itself. 

Music isn’t just a class—it’s a place where students gain confidence, find their voice, and feel supported. While the program isn’t being cut, stretching one teacher between two schools will make it impossible to provide the same level of mentorship and musical excellence that students rely on. 

I know this firsthand because I was in Chorus from third grade through my senior year of high school. Now, as a member of an accomplished a cappella group at Bryant University, I would not be where I am today without Mrs. Pekar. She was the one who encouraged me to audition, who helped me develop the skills to succeed in music, and who inspired me every day to be the best I can be. Without her support, I would never have considered pursuing music at this level. 

For me, the music program was more than a class, and Mrs. Pekar was more than a teacher—she was my mentor and biggest supporter. During my senior year, I spent over 2000 hours with her. To put that into perspective, an average student spends just 216 hours a year with a teacher if they have them 4 times a week, since Lyme-Old Lyme recognizes the drop-period curriculum. Whether it was show choir, concert chorus, practicing piano for my senior project, or starring in the musical, which she has been brilliantly directing for 4 years now, she was and still is there for me and all students. 

But her impact on my life goes far beyond music. If not for her helping me build my confidence from the ground up, I wouldn’t have had the courage to compete in sales competitions in Chicago—where I advanced further than many of my peers. 

After dedicating so much time and energy to students, she now won’t even have a moment to catch her breath between classes. This change doesn’t just affect students—it affects the teacher, the program, and the heart of the school community. Please ensure that each school has the dedicated support it deserves. The impact of a great teacher lasts far beyond the classroom—I am living proof of that. 

Sincerely,

Sophia Ortoleva,
Old Lyme.