A blizzard postponed A.J. Trull’s Carnegie Hall moment in January, 2026. It did nothing to diminish the achievement that earned him a place there: the highest Royal Conservatory of Music Level 5 Voice practical examination score in the United States for the entire 2024–2025 academic year.
That achievement earned A.J., 17, of Franklin, the National Gold Medal. On Sunday, February 28, 2027, he will take his well-earned place on the Carnegie Hall stage for a solo performance in the Royal Conservatory’s National Celebration of Excellence.
At Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios, that national distinction is being celebrated alongside the 2025–2026 achievements of eight musicians, who earned five Regional Gold Medals and nine State Certificates of Excellence.
Encore’s regional medalists earned the highest practical examination scores in their respective levels and disciplines across the Northeast for the entire 2025–2026 academic year. The RCM’s Northeast region covers 12 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia.
The medalists, listed alphabetically by surname, are: Alenka Cook, 16, of Medway, for Level 4 Flute; Tejas Kulkarni, 10, of Hopkinton, for Preparatory B Piano; Rishita Phanse, 19, of Mansfield, for Level 8 Voice; Swathi Rangamani, 15, of Lexington, for Level 4 Voice; and, Alice Val, 11, of Franklin, for Level 2 Voice.
All five have been invited to give solo performances in the RCM’s Northeast Celebration of Excellence concert at New York City’s Kaufman Center on Saturday, February 27, 2027.
The students’ achievements also earned recognition closer to home. State Certificates of Excellence honor the highest practical examination score in Massachusetts for each discipline and level across the academic year. All five Regional Gold Medalists earned state certificates for the same levels and disciplines, and Tejas Kulkarni earned a second state certificate for Level 1 Piano.
Joining them as state honorees, also listed alphabetically, are: Yashick Dinesh, 14, of Hopkinton, for Level 2 Flute; Adrita Mukherjee, 14, of Acton, for Level 5 Voice; and, Ananya Sharma, 13, of Franklin, for Level 3 Voice.
Behind these achievements is the Royal Conservatory’s Certificate Program, which guides students from beginning lessons through advanced study in repertoire, technique, ear-training, sight-reading, and theory. Professional, independent assessments are conducted by trained members of the RCM’s College of Examiners from Canada and the United States, who travel to assessment centers for in-person examinations.
Their objective evaluations and constructive feedback give families a clear measure of progress against a national standard of excellence and help students and teachers plan the next steps. Each completed level offers a milestone to celebrate and a foundation for the next challenge, helping children grow into confident, well-rounded musicians.
Encore, a Royal Conservatory Founding School and Official Assessment Center at 3 Bent Street in Franklin, warmly congratulates these exceptional young musicians and celebrates the dedication behind their achievements, together with the families and teachers who have supported and encouraged their musical growth. Families interested in learning how this musical path could fit their child’s interests and goals can visit www.encoremusicacademy.net, email info@encoremusicacademy.net, or call 508-533-7700.
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| Most US immigrants targeted for deportation in 2025 had no criminal charges, documents reveal |
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| Take a Ranger led walk along the Blackstone Canal in January |
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| FHS boys 4x100 relay team takes 6th place at Nationals |
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| FHS Cheerleaders take 1st at Nationals |
"Nationals 2025 ✅
We are beyond proud of this team and everything they have accomplished throughout the whole year.
Thank you seniors for everything and we wish you the best next year!"
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| National Community Survey |
Franklin has launched the National Community Survey - what would you like Franklin to focus on?
We need your input to help us make upcoming planning and budgeting decisions. Invitations have been sent to randomly selected households asking for feedback via The National Community Survey. In a few weeks, we'll open the survey to all residents. If you would like to receive an email notification for this community-wide survey, register now to become a part of Franklin's digital sounding board: polco.us/n/res/signup
For more information, follow this link: https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/webforms/national-community-survey
Thank you for sharing your voice!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/reminder-national-community-survey-has-launched
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| National Community Survey to launch in January |
In just a few days, Franklin will launch The National Community Survey. Randomly selected households will receive mailed survey invitations over the next few weeks. If you receive an invite, please follow the instructions and share your input! Your feedback will help us make important plans for our future.
If you aren't selected for this initial survey effort, we'll also share a community-wide survey soon. To become a member of Franklin's digital sounding board and get notified when this community-wide survey is available, follow this link and register for a Polco profile: polco.us/n/res/signup
For additional information, follow this link: https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/webforms/national-community-survey
Thank you for helping to create a better community for all!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/national-community-survey
"Franklin High School Varsity Cheerleaders are your National 1st place and GRAND CHAMPIONS!!
Let's GO @fhsboysbball!! Bring home the State Championship tonight!!!"
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| Franklin High School Varsity Cheerleaders take 1st Place at Nationals |
FM #1158 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1158 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the leadership team of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS). Amy Edson, FHS Art teacher, and club advisor. The leadership team students introduce themselves as we go around:
Raena, the President of NAHS and leading the Singapore room
Allie, the Vice-President, and leading the Spain room
Gia, the Data Manager, and leading the Columbia room
Christine, the Social Media Director and leading the Sudan room
We had our conversation in one of the art rooms where the Create Art Around the World will be taking place.
Thanks to the Franklin Cultural Council for the grant to enable this event for free.
Let’s listen to this conversation about the kid friendly (and did we say, “Free”) Create Art Around the World scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1158-fhs-nahs-create-art-round-the-world-03-07-24
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FHS Clay Studio Instagram account -> https://www.instagram.com/fhs_claystudio/
More about the Franklin Cultural Council -> https://www.franklinma.gov/cultural-council
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Create Art Around the World scheduled for Apr 24, 2024 - free & kid Friendly at FHS |
"Ada Limón's signature project as the nation's 24th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry, "You Are Here," will feature two major new initiatives: an anthology of commissioned nature poems and poetry installed as public art in seven national parks."I want to champion the ways reading and writing poetry can situate us in the natural world," Limón said. "Never has it been more urgent to feel a sense of reciprocity with our environment, and poetry's alchemical mix of attention, silence, and rhythm gives us a reciprocal way of experiencing nature — of communing with the natural world through breath and presence."
Find out more about the project -> https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/u.s.-poet-laureate-ada-lim-n-to-publish-anthology--bring-poetry-to-national-parks-as-part-of-signatu/s/daf3ca32-cdff-49e0-9109-c2d9ba66c3b1
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| poetry as public art in 7 national parks |
"@FEMA and @FCC will conduct a national test of the Wireless Emergency Alert and the Emergency Alert System this fall.
Cell phones, wireless devices, TVs and radios across the country will be sent a test alert around 2:20 pm on Oct 4."
additional details on the test: https://t.co/ke0EOoSYPK
Shared from -> https://t.co/QFet9BVXve
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| FEMA & FCC announce national test of Wireless Emergency Alert - Oct 4 at 2:20 PM |
Sarah Dumas
Indoor Pentathlon: #5 Girls 800 Meter Run5 Sarah Dumas 11 Franklin Tra 2:29.55 699Indoor Pentathlon: #1 Girls 60 Meter Hurdles4 Sarah Dumas 11 Franklin Tra 9.08 893Indoor Pentathlon: #2 Girls High Jump2 Sarah Dumas 11 Franklin Tra 1.60m 736Indoor Pentathlon: #4 Girls Long Jump18 Sarah Dumas 11 Franklin Tra 4.52m 433Indoor Pentathlon: #3 Girls Shot Put3 Sarah Dumas 11 Franklin Tra 9.77m 514
"I think it's official, boys 4x200 with a school record of 1:32.27" https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1634278987726835725
"Good luck to the Franklin athletes competing at Nationals today.
Check out the live stream if you can't make it into the TRACK" -> https://t.co/P6Pg2Tccv9
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| FHS Panthers |
Congrats to team MA, 1st place at senior nationals! Congrats to Kate who placed in 3 events in individuals and was 10th AA!
So proud of @_katerudolph @_lizziebrown_ @carolinewoelfel @FHSSports @BuzzMyfm @FranklinMatters @KatCornetta
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1528055452600356864
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| FHS' Rudolph, Brown, and Woelfel perform well at Senior Gymnastics Nationals |
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| FHS' Rudolph, Brown, and Woelfel help MA take 1st place at Senior Gymnastics Nationals |
"National Champions!!! Hockomock, Regional, State and now - National Champions!!! Congratulations to the Best Cheer Team in the country!!!"
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1505618908321038346
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| FHS Cheerleaders take National Title |
"FHSTC is onto Regionals! Feeling grateful to be recognized as a Top 3 school, and punching our ticket to Regionals."
"BIG shout out to our All-Star Awards in: scenic design (Kaiti), costume design (Heidi, Ren, Will), sound design (Matt),Ensemble work for the Rock Creatures (Heidi, Millie, Amanda, Colin, Will, Shea, Alex, Ava, Jake, Patrick), and an acting award for Simon, who played Don. "
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinHSDrama/status/1505538540167471113
and from https://twitter.com/FranklinHSDrama/status/1505538542298087424
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| FHSTC is onto Regionals |
"Good luck to the athletes in NYC this weekend for New Balance Nationals Indoors! Tyler Powderly in the 400M Friday at 11:58 and girls 4x4 (Anna Cliff, Olivia Costa, Sarah Dumas, Jill Fenerty) Sunday at 1:35."
Livestream - nbnationalsin.com/eprofile.php?e #NewBalanceNationals
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinXCTrack/status/1501919135663538176
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| FHS Panthers |
"The National Art Honors Society painted a mural this afternoon called "Celebrate the Love."
Thank you to all the members who helped and to the societies leaders who organized this event with Mrs. Edson.
#nahs #naea #love #celebratelove @HonorsArt" https://t.co/1IuShjztvQ
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| FHS National Art honors society students painting a new mural in the hallway |
Audio of the meeting should be available in a couple of days
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| Recap: School Committee hears about the FHS program of studies, approves senior perks, and trip to Nationals for FHS Cheerleaders |
'Return of the Jedi' Among 25 Eclectic Films Joining National Film Registry
The 2021 selections represent one of the most diverse classes of films to enter the registry, with movies dating back nearly 120 years and representing the work of Hollywood studios, independent filmmakers, documentarians, women directors, filmmakers of color, students and the silent era of film. The selections bring the number of films in the registry to 825, representing a portion of the 1.7 million films in the Library's collections. "Films help reflect our cultural history and creativity — and show us new ways of looking at ourselves — though movies haven't always been deemed worthy of preservation. The National Film Registry will preserve our cinematic heritage, and we are proud to add 25 more films this year," said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. "The Library of Congress will work with our partners in the film community to ensure these films are preserved for generations to come." Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will host a television special Friday, Dec. 17, starting at 8 p.m. ET to screen a selection of motion pictures named to the registry this year. Hayden will join TCM host and film historian Jacqueline Stewart, who is chair of the National Film Preservation Board, to discuss the films. Also, select titles from 30 years of the National Film Registry are freely available online in the Library's National Screening Room. Follow the conversation about the 2021 National Film Registry on Twitter and Instagram at @librarycongress and #NatFilmRegistry. Films Selected for the 2021 National Film Registry
Click here for more information on this year's entries to the National Film Registry.
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