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Andrea Meyers

Past President


December, 2008

Dear CASTA Members,


Strings Rock throughout Colorado! The quality of creative musicianship, advocacy, and extreme professional involvement is impressive! Our CASTA membership supports numerous creative and sensational traditions. There are more performance, contest, and festival venues promoting our students this year than ever!
Congratulations to Campbell Harrison, our 2008 “Colorado ASTA, Inc. Outstanding String Teacher!” Special Thanks to Western State Honor Orchestra Festival for an amazing 25th anniversary this year and allowing CASTA to present our most prestigious award to Campbell at the final concert. We thank and so appreciation the amazing University of Northern Colorado string faculty for there continued supportive association with CASTA. This mutual collaboration at WSHOF honored our membership with huge community visibility.
President-Elect. If you are interested in this executive CASTA position, please inform Don Emmons our CASTA President before our annual Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/Conference. We wish Barb Risner, our amazing CASTA friend and colleague continued good health and happiness!
More Congratulations! Please welcome our three new CASTA Executive Representatives! Daryl Counsell, Southern Rep., Dusty Munger, Western Slope Rep. and Dr. William Hinkie, our Northern Rep. They will be contacting you soon and will prove to be a fantastic addition to our Executive Council! Special Thanks to our former Representatives Ed Deepe, Southern Rep., Holly E. Wood, Western Slope, and Jennifer John, our Northern Rep. Special Kudos to Mike Nelson, our Denver Rep. for his continued work and yet, another term in CASTA! These representatives are and have been your link to a fantastic networking in our association. Please make certain you contact, utilize, and promote your ideas to all your board members throughout the year. Don is initiating a special program for you with the representatives– stay tuned for updates and more information via your representatives. Their work is integral and contingent to our continued successes. Remember, our success is a mutually supportive association via our Colorado Executive Board, National ASTA and our National MENC and CMEA mentorship program.
CMEA! Ready set and “Go for the Gold”! This year more than ever we all need to attend, and enjoy the camaraderie, friendship and professional collaboration as music educators! Ignore and shake the feeling of ‘It’s too expensive’ or ‘Not this year’ – It’s totally cost effective if you evaluate what CMEA has to offer! This is our only time as Colorado Music Educators to enjoy our Association! Don Emmons, our President and CMEA/ASTA Rep., our CASTA Executive Board, in association with our Instrumental Music Affairs Council, and our ever-supportive CMEA Executive Board has worked tirelessly to produce an amazing 2009 Clinic/Conference. There is something musically relevant for everyone beginning Wednesday evening through Saturday afternoon! We are so well represented as string educators with incredible performances, clinicians and special events! Feel free to stretch your musical interests and any CMEA events throughout the conference. And most importantly …..remember, as always, take time to Socialize!

Pride! Call a member, sign up a member and work within CASTA, Inc. We are a mutually supportive and collaborative association. There are grants, supportive advocacy programs, solo contests, National ASTA conferences, and our traditional summer conference that provide well for our membership. We are ASTA and is yours! ASTA is a supportive, mutually accessible, multi-level association that benefits our work in string education. CASTA can work for you throughout Colorado and nationally via our orchestra and private studios! Transition! CASTA has events that need your attention! Just a few extra hours this year and you will make a difference! It’s up to you this year – call us and help us out - make a special resolution to promote and help our organization. Make 2009 a stellar year for CASTA!
Congratulations to our incredibly profound membership for their impressive and viable musical involvement this past 2008! Always stay in touch, send in your pictures, articles and utilize our informative website and the national website. Thanks always to every board member that works tirelessly for our success. Take a moment to call, check the minutes on the website if you missed any of our meetings. Our next General CASTA meeting will be a memorable one this year! And special congratulations to our well deserving and latest CMEA 25 year Award recipients Michelle Ewer and Susan Day.
Hope to see you and a new member at CMEA in January and at National in Atlanta, GA in March 2009! Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Andrea L. Meyers

Immediate Past- President Colorado American String Teachers Association
Rocky Canyon H.S., Rocky Heights M.S. 6th Grade
Tri-M Honor Music Society, Advisor
Rock Canyon H.S. Orchestra, Rocky Heights 6th Grade Orchestra
Buffalo Ridge, Redstone, Timber Trail, Wildcat Mountain Elementary School Orchestra Director

 

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Dear CASTA, Inc. Members!

It has been an honor to serve as your CASTA President these past two years! The CASTA chapter has been a positive force at CMEA, National ASTA, and throughout the United States. Our ASTA friendships and professional associations continue to increase via our local and national conferences. I was on the State Leadership Meeting planning committee and enjoyed the benefits of an incredible agenda with highly motivated and passionate chapter presidents. There was definitely a ‘magical mentor moment’ with President-Elect of Alaska, Ida Schnabel-Pearson; a former student teacher of mine that attended this meeting. The featured special moment was receiving the “Outstanding State Chapter Leader” Award. Thank you for the lovely emails and congratulation cards. I appreciate and recognize this shared achievement as one of the most significant professional rewards of my career. I was so proud and appreciative to be your CASTA President and very pleased to have Don Emmons, President-Elect in support at the presentation.

Thank you, CASTA! This year our chapter attendance at Albuquerque was well over 30 members, as well as the entire Rocky Mountain Chamber Orchestra H.S. in performance! Congratulations again to Director Beth Wells for a fabulous representation of our Colorado orchestras! The National conference was representative of numerous enriching sessions, performances, gifted string educators and performers. Next year in Atlanta, GA!

Talent Educators! Our educational and musical efforts abound with fine and talented string teachers throughout the Rocky Mountains! This quality musical collaboration is representative of our unique membership in Colorado. We support the CASTA camp, are present at the Viva Viola Day, countless participation in CHSAA/CMEA events, Solo & Ensemble Festivals, and have extensive performances in District, City, honor orchestras and other festivals! Our first ever “CPS” Certificate Program for Strings exceed our expectations with over sixty beautifully prepared participants. Bravo to Kip Mason, Margaret Miller, and Campbell Harrison for their brilliant effort! More Exciting News! – Susan Day received the esteemed Merle J. Isaac Composition Contest! Well-deserved! Well-earned! Love your music!

Bravo! Each year our membership sends in an extraordinary number of qualified performance audition C.D.’s for CMEA. This is an unusual and esteemed representation of our incredible level of expertise and performance standards throughout state. Quick reminder: These C.D.’s are due May 30th - go to www.CMEAonline.org for applications. This grand effort builds and supports a well-deserved perception of our beloved string/music education programs, our fine directors and increases as we all contribute to our mutual success. We have also been extremely impressive with the high number of grant and proposals to CMEA and National ASTA, all in support of string education. I will always support and encourage the effort in this journey!

Continued Success! I have no doubt that our future of CASTA will thrive under the gifted and dedicated leadership of President Don Emmons and President-Elect Barbara Risner. I wish Don and his officers success during the 2008-10 and hope to lend the same support that was available to me throughout my term. I was truly lucky to have an extraordinary membership, amazing board and incredible past-presidents to rely on for their wisdom and support. It is hard to believe this is my last presidential message, as I thank you and wish you continued success. As always, continue to use our amazing website, send in your pictures, build your legacy; write your compositions, articles, and written contributions to the String Vibrations and CMEA journal. I encourage you to help support our CASTA chapter with your ideas, your perspective and your positive contribution. Don’t wait until you’re asked-we always need your personal attention and support now! Together our efforts make a difference!

See you at the summer CASTA conference!

Musically yours,

 

Andrea L. Meyers

Rock Canyon H.S., Rocky Heights M.S.; Orchestra Director

Tri-M Honor Music Society, Advisor

Colorado American String Teachers Association, Inc., Immediate Past-President

http://colo-asta.org

†"Lead Today, Learn Tomorrow"

 

 

National High School Honors Orchestra

Bravo once again to our 2008 National High School Honors Orchestra Musicians. This was certainly one of the highlights of the 2008 ASTA Nat’l Conference in Albuquerque. The orchestra set up of the NHSOA was very different; the violins were divided into two equal sections, placed on either side of the stage. They switched places part way through the concert.

The program was very exciting! The conductor, world renowned Jung-ho Pak was absolutely amazing! The program started with the Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture. They also played the Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and concluded with Prokofiev’s Ballet of Romeo and Juliet: Montagues and Capulets. The performance was absolutely inspirational!

 

 

Andrea L. Meyers

Formal Education:
1976: Bachelor of Music Education; K-12 Instrumental Music, University of Northern Colorado; Greeley
1992: Master of Arts: Curriculum and Instruction: University of Denver
Professional Employment:
2008: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Rock Canyon H.S.,
Rocky Heights Middle School, Buffalo Ridge, Redstone, Timber Trail, and Wildcat Elementary Schools
2006: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Rock Canyon H.S.,
Rocky Heights Middle School
2005: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Rock Canyon H.S.,
Rocky Heights Middle, and Redstone Elementary Schools
2004: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Douglas County H.S.
1985 - 2004: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Northeast Elementary
1996 - 2004: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Cougar Run Elementary
1995 - 1996: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Fox Creek, Northeast, and
Acres Green Elementary Schools
1994 – 1998: Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra; Personnel Manager
1983 – 1992: Douglas County School District Re. 1; Ponderosa High School,
Cherry Valley, and Northeast Elementary Schools
1983 – 1992 Douglas County School District Re. 1; Ponderosa H.S.,
Parker Junior, Franktown, Northeast Elementary and Pine Lane Intermediate Schools
1981 – 1983 The Colorado Ballet; Orchestra Personnel Manager
1976 – 1981 Boulder Valley School District Re. 1; Fairview High School, Bear
Creek, Burke, Paddock, and Mesa Elementary Schools
Awards:
2008: “Outstanding State Chapter Leader” National American String Teachers Association
2008: Douglas County School Board Recognition, “Outstanding State Chapter Leader” by the National ASTA
2005: “Outstanding Colorado American String Teacher Association
Teacher of the Year”
2004: Selected with 7 other Recipients from 160 Nominations – Thank a Teacher; Douglas County School District Champions of Education
1995,2001–2008: Douglas County “Outstanding Teacher” Award
1986, 1994, 1996,
2000, 2004,
2006, 2007: “Who’s Who” in American Teacher Education

Special Accomplishments:
2009: National ASTA Conference Committee
2008: “Outstanding State Chapter Leader” National American String Teachers Association
2008: Douglas County School Board Recognition, “Outstanding State Chapter Leader” by the National ASTA
2008: 1st Annual Western: All-Star” Feeder Orchestra Concert: RCHS
2006: “Star-Spangled Banner” Orchestra Performance at Coors Field; 20-6 Rockies vs. San Francisco; Rock Canyon H.S. and Rocky Heights Orchestras; Coordinator and Conductor
2004, 2006
2007, 2008: Douglas County Federation of Teachers Scholarship
2006 – Present Tri-M Chapter Induction #5103 Rock Canyon H.S.; Music Educators National Conference, Advisor
2006: Zonta International: Advancing Studies of Women Worldwide
2005: Douglas County School Board Recognition; “ Outstanding Colorado ASTA “String Teacher of the Year”
2005: “Outstanding Colorado American String Teacher Association
Teacher of the Year”
2004 – Present: Douglas County Music Curriculum Committee
2004: Selected with 7 other Recipients from 160 Nominations – Thank a Teacher; Douglas County School district Champions of Education
1995,2001–2008: Douglas County “Outstanding Teacher” Award
2006 - 2008: Rocky Heights Group Incentive Plan Award
1986, 1994, 1996,
2000, 2004,
2006, 2007: “Who’s Who” in American Teacher Education
2002: Douglas County Music Group Incentive Plan Award
1993: “Star Spangled Banner” Orchestra Performance at Mile High

Stadium: Rockies vs. San Diego Padres Douglas County, Highlands Ranch & Ponderosa High Schools: Coordinator and Conductor
1993: Cherry Creek Colorado Pops Orchestra; Advocate
1990: Created Front Range Junior Youth Orchestra; Director
1976: Created “String Fling, Boulder Valley School District Re. 1
1954 – Present: Colorado Native
1976 – Present: Colorado Music Educators National Conference; Participant, Presider, Advocate
1986 – Present: Private Cello Studio


Work Related Experiences:
2008: CHSAA Large Group Performance Festival; Rock Canyon H.S. Orchestra; All “Superior” Ratings
2006 & 2008: CHSAA Large Group Performance Festival; Rocky Heights M.S. 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra; All “Superior” Ratings
2008: National ASTA Conference; Albuquerque, NM – State Leadership
Workshop Committee and Presider for Mark Wood
2008: National ASTA Conference; Albuquerque, NM
2006, 2007,
& 2008: Mark Wood–“Electrify Your Strings” Colorado Tour; Co-Coordinator
2007 & 2008: “Trills & Thrills” Large Group Performance Festival; Rocky Heights M.S. 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Orchestras; “Superior” Ratings
2007: 82nd Annual Colorado West Invitational Music Performance Festival Tour; Mesa State College and Mesa County Valley School District 51; Grand Junction, CO – All “Superior” Ratings
2007: National ASTA Conference; Detroit, MI
2007: Continental League Orchestra, Band, Choir Honor Festival; Hosts
2007 & 2008: CMEA/CASTA; CASTA President Conference Coordinator
2006: Rocky Heights M.S> Music Tour; Band, Choir, and Orchestra
2006: ASTAWITHNSOA Leadership Summit; 2006 National String Forum & Festival; 60th Birthday Celebration; Kansas City, MO
2006: ASTAWITHNSOA “Arranging for Cellos: Sure, We Can Play That!”
Douglas Moore, Williams College; Kansas City; Presider
2006: National ASTAWITHNSOA Conference; Kansas City, MO
2006 – 2008: “Poet’s Tea” and “Tied to the Arts;” Rocky Heights M.S.
1995,2006–2008: Continental League Honor Orchestra, Band, & Choir Festival
2005, 2007: Florida Tour: Highlands Ranch H.S. Orchestra at Disney World;
Assistant Director
2005 – 2008: Summer CASTA/CBA “Colorado Bandmasters Association”
Conference Coordinator/Advisor
2004 – 2006: Douglas County Music Curriculum Council Committee
1983 – 2008: All-District Douglas County Elementary Orchestra Festival;
Coordinator/Participant/Advisor
2004: ASTAWITHNSOA Leadership Summit; 2004 National String Forum & Festival; Dallas, Texas – Southern Methodist University
2003: ASTAWITHNSOA; Celebrating Strings: All Together Now!” The Ohio State University, Cincinnati, Ohio; Presider
2003 & 2004: D.C.E.F. Silent Auction “Wildlife Experience;” Band & Orchestra Performance
2002: “String Fling 2002” – All Elementary Schools Invited in Douglas with Ponderosa and Douglas County High School Musicians; featuring Rick Molzer; Luthier
2001: Cresthill M.S. Orchestra: Performance at 58th Annual Colorado Music Educators National Association Conference; Presider
2001: Colorado Music Educators Association 58th Annual Conference “Survivor” for String Instruments: Doing Your Own Repair and Maintenance; Colorado Springs, CO
2000 – 2004: String Enrichment Program; Northeast Elementary
2000: “String Fling 2000” – Northeast and Cougar Run Elementary with Ponderosa and Douglas County High Schools; Director
1999: “Jazzin’ Strings” – D.C.E.F. Grant; Elementary Mentor Musician Program; Coordinator
1998: National Music Educators Conference; Phoenix, AZ
1996 & 1997: Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic; Chicago, IL
1983 – 1995: Ponderosa High School Baccalaureate & Honors Convocation
1983 – 1994: Skyline League Orchestra Festivals; Director
1983 – 1995: All-District Douglas County High School Orchestra Festival; Coordinator
1983 – 1994: All-District Douglas County Junior School Festival; Coordinator
1994: Florida Tour; Combined Douglas County, Highlands Ranch & Ponderosa H.S. Orchestras at Epcot, Busch Gardens, & Magic Kingdom
1986 & 1994: Hotel Colorado Orchestra Performances; Glenwood Springs, CO
1985 & 1993: Supervision of Two Student Teachers at Ponderosa H.S.
1983 – 1995: Ponderosa H.S.; Senior Sponsor
1989: 47th Annual Colorado Music Educators Clinic & Conference; Combined Parker Junior High and Ponderosa High School Orchestras; Colorado Springs, CO
1978: European Tour with Fairview H.S. Musicians
1976: Fairview High School Orchestra, “National Forum for The Arts and The Gifted,” sponsored by the “United States Department of Education,” Aspen, CO
Conductor/Clinician:
2008: All-City Festival Orchestra (7 M.S., 3 H.S.); Aurora Public Schools
2008: “String Stars” District Orchestra Festival, St. Vrain School District
2008: Eldorado, Angevine, Louisville M.S. Combined Festival Orchestra;
Monarch H.S.
2007: Mesa County Solo & Ensemble Contest: Grand Junction, CO
2006: 2nd Annual “Core Enrichment” Academy Music Festival
2005: 2nd Annual Honors Chamber Orchestra Festival; Fort Lewis College; Durango, CO
2003: “Celebrate Strings!” Adams County High School Orchestra Festival
2003: Colorado Springs District 11 East Side Combined Middle & High School Orchestra Festival
2003: Saint Vrain Valley Multi-Level Orchestra Festival; 7th & 8th Grade String Orchestra
2003: Boulder Valley Middle School Middle Level Orchestra Festival
2003: Colorado Springs District 11 Middle School Orchestra Festival
2002: Central, Fruita Monument & Grand Junction High Schools Combined Orchestra Festival Orchestras; District 51; Grand Junction, CO
2002: Jefferson County Schools Instrumental Festival: All County Elementary Honor Strings; Clinician/Conductor
2002: Douglas County School District Re. 1 East Side Middle School Orchestra Festival
2001 – 2002: Colorado Youth Chamber Orchestra; Substitute Conductor: University of Denver
2001: Louisville Middle & H.S. Orchestra Festival; Broomfield, CO
2001: Douglas County Westside Middle School Orchestra Festival
1989- 1999: Pike’s Peak Honor Combined Orchestras – Widefield School
District #3 and El Paso County School District #11
1996- 2000: Adams County School District #50 – Secondary Orchestra Festival
1996: CASTAWITHNSOA Camp; Guest Conductor
1995: Pueblo District #60 All-City Middle School Orchestra Festival
1994: Longmont/Thompson Valley High School Festival
1993: Boulder Valley Middle School Orchestra Festival; “Spring String Fling”
1988 – 1991: Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra; Assistant Conductor
1979: Pueblo District #60 All-City High School Orchestra




Musical Director:
2007: “Fiddler on the Roof” at Rock Canyon H.S.
2005: “My Fair Lady” at Douglas County H.S.
1992: “Carousel” at Ponderosa H.S.
1981: “West Side Story” at The Aladdin Theatre, Denver, CO
1980: “West Side Story” at Fairview H.S.
1979: “Once Upon a Mattress” at Fairview H.S.
1978: “Oklahoma” at Fairview H.S.
1977: “Carousel” at Fairview H.S.
1976: “Fiddler on the Roof” at Fairview H.S.

Adjudicator:
2007: Solo & Ensemble Contest; Mesa State College; Grand Junction
2002 & 2006: 77th & 81st Annual Colorado West Invitational Music Performance
Festival; Grand Junction, CO
1989 – Present: CHSAA Middle School Solo & Ensemble Contest; Colorado Springs, CO
1990, 1991, 1994,
1989,2004: CHSAA State Solo & Ensemble Contest; Mesa State College:
Grand Junction, CO
2003, 2004: CHSAA Denver Suburban II Solo & Ensemble Festival: Westlake
Middle School
2004: Multi-Level Solo & Ensemble Contest; Douglas County School District; Thunder Ridge High School
2004: CHSAA High School Solo & Ensemble Contest; Mesa County
Valley School District No. 51, Grand Junction, CO
1991, 2000, 2001: CHSAA – “Large Group Orchestra” Contest; Colorado Springs and Longmont, CO
1992: Elementary Solo & Ensemble Contest; District 1 Colorado Springs, CO
1992: Front Range District Solo & Ensemble Contest; Fort Collins, CO
Professional Associations:
2006 – 2008: Colorado American String Teachers Association; President
2004 – 2005: CASTAWITHNSOA – President Elect
1976 – Present: National and Colorado American String Teachers Association
1983 – Present: Douglas County American Federation of Teachers
1993 – 2001: CASTAWITHNSOA Board Member Denver Representative
1983 – 2003: DCFT Union Steward
1983 – Present: National American Federation of Teachers
1993: CASTAWITHNSOA; Colorado Membership Chairperson
1990 – 1995: Colorado All-State Orchestra Advisory Board, Secretary
1987 – 1989: Colorado All-State Orchestra Advisory Board
1976 – 1981: National Education Association
Cellist:
2008: RCTV/DC5151 Spotlight Program “Ms. Meyers Special”
2008: John Tesh: “PBS Special” Alive Music & Dance Orchestra
1994 – Present: Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra
2004: 50th Anniversary “Jubilee A.P.O. Committee Member
1986 – Present: “Eclectic Duets” & “Canon” Quartet
2003: Mozart Requiem; St. Andrew United Methodist Church
2002: Peter Mayer Ensemble (Jimmy Buffet’s Lead Guitarist
2001: Lamont School of Music – Cello Extravaganza
2000: World Cello Congress III Towson University, Baltimore, MD
1998 – 2000: Westminster Symphony Orchestra; Principal Cellist
1988 – 1991: Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra; Principal Cellist
1988: First World Cello Conference, Washington, DC
1981 – 1983: The Colorado Ballet Orchestra; Cellist and Personnel Director
1979 – 1981: Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra; Assistant Principal Cellist
1974 – 1980: Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra

Knowledge Advancement Coursework:
Adams State College
Spring 2001: “Why We Communicate The Way We Do” - Ennegrams: The Study of Personality Types
Colorado State University
Summer 2007: Conducting Workshop
Summer 2006: Conducting Workshop
Summer 2005: Group Study: Conducting
Fall 2001: Group Study: Conducting
Spring 2001: Humanities Workshop: Music Instruction
Fall 2000: Group Study: Conducting
Summer 2000: Humanities Workshop for Instrumental Music Education
Music Education Workshop
Summer 1999: Suzuki Institute and Colorado American String Teachers
Association in Breckenridge; Conducting – Marvin Rabin
Fall 1999: Group Studies in Music Education
Summer 1998: Humanities Workshop II; Music Education
Summer 1996: Music into the 21st Century
Summer 1995: Band Masters: Teaching Standards of Music Education
Summer 1994: Workshop for Music Instruction
Colorado School of Mines
Spring 2001: Music Technology Computer
Douglas County Schools: Inservice Programs
Fall 2007: Orchestra “Tried & True Literature Session, Clinician
Winter 2004: 4 Roles of Leadership; Skill Block Development Sponsored by DCFT
Fall 2002: ER&D; Educational Research & Development; Sponsored by DCFT
Spring 2001: Principals of Literacy Study Group: “Mosaic of Thought”
Spring 1999: Developing Resiliency in Youth
Spring 1999: Six-Trait Writing
Winter 1999: Honoring Diversity
Winter 1999: First Aid/CPR
Summer 1997: Experiential Education; Jack Kronser
University of Colorado at Denver
Summer 1998: Conducting Music in the 21st Century
Spring 1997: Conflict Management Skills for Women
University of Northern Colorado
Fall 1999: Intermediate String Pedagogy
University of Phoenix
Fall 1999: “Survival Tactics – Humor in the Classroom
Fall 1999: “The Malignant Media”
Fall 1997: Teaching Elementary Curriculum
At various times and locations listed above, my teaching experience has included chamber orchestra, band, music theory, enrichment, performance programs, and guitar. I have also assisted in the evaluation of language arts curriculum, music curriculum council and assisted as a member of the North Central Certification Committee. Additionally, due to the nature of string education, my employment has afforded incredible opportunities of varied procedures, policies, expectations, staff and administration.
Additional Associations:
Denver Art Museum and Colorado Historical Society; Member
University of Northern Colorado Foundations Scholarships,
Howard Skinner Endowment Performing Arts Scholarships
United Veterans of Colorado and Allied Jewish Federation, Sponsor

 

 

 

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