LT News: National Literary Awards, All-State Musicians, Teachers in National Roles
Plus, a coming 50-student production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," a big day on February 7th including the Rock-a-Thon kickoff, and speaking of rock, a cool rocking chair.
The following are items of note from recent Lyons Township High school releases:
School Literary Magazine Wins Two National Awards
The 2011 edition of the Lyons Township literary magazine Menagerie was recently awarded a Highest Honor by the National Council of Teachers of English for excellence in a student literary magazine, as well as a First Place with Special Merit award from the American Scholastic Press Association.
Only 38 of nearly 400 magazines considered by the NCTE were awarded the Highest Honor award, and only three in Illinois. The ASPA scores magazines on a first, second or third-place basis. The First Place with Special Merit is reserved for “publications with special and outstanding design and content.”
“Menagerie has a dedicated student staff who works to produce a high-quality magazine that highlights both writing and artwork,” said Menagerie advisor Mary Rohlicek in a press release. “The art staff took special care to use a unifying layout format with artwork that matched the tone of the written piece. They also made sure that the artwork was not compromised in any way and promoted the amazing talent of our LT students.”
Eight Students Named All-State Musicians
Eight Lyons Township students were named All-State Musicians in Illinois in January, and performed at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria from Jan. 25-28.
The students were juniors Matt Bandyk of La Grange Park (trombone,) David Gosz of Western Springs (tenor I) and Molly Smith of La Grange Park (viola,) and seniors Bridget Foley of La Grange (alto II,) Duncan Lewis of Western Springs (bass I,) Linnea Ridlen of Western Springs (alto II,) Maryclaire Zurowski of Western Springs (future music educators seminar) and Alessandro Tenorio-Bucci of La Grange (Bb clarinet.)
Tenorio-Bucci was a repeat honoree, having also been named All-State as a junior. Foley also earned the distinction of a spot on the All State Honors Choir.
“The All-State selection process demonstrates a very high level of commitment, creativity and craftsmanship. Congratulations to the winners, their teachers, and to all of the students who auditioned,” said Division Chair for Fine Arts Leslie Stickels in a press release. “It is truly a wonderful educational and musical experience with memories that last a lifetime.”
Two Teachers Take on National Roles
Lyons Township teachers Chris Thomas (English) and JoEllen Gregie (Spanish) were recently named to national roles of no small honor.
Thomas, an advisor to campus radio station WLTL, was elected to the Board of Directors for the non-profit Intercollegiate Broadcast System, an organization serving over 700 high school and college radio stations, hosting four regional conferences annually as well as a convention in New York City. He was also appointed to the National Advisory Board at his alma mater, Wartburg College.
Gregie has been invited by the College Board Advanced Placement Program to serve as an AP Reader, an evaluator of answers on Advanced Placement exams for 2012. Gregie will be among about 11,500 college staff and AP teachers who will score about 14.5 million free-response answers.
Theatre Presents Thoroughly Modern Millie
The Lyons Township Theatre will present a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie from Feb. 16 through Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 3:00 p.m. at the North Campus Reber Center for the Performing Arts.
The performance, based on the Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore film, includes a cast of 50 students: 20 from La Grange, 13 from Western Springs, seven from La Grange Park, six from Indian Head Park one from Countryside, one from Willow Springs, one from Burr Ridge and one from Brookfield.
LTHS staff Eugene O’Reilly is director, Sam Baker is the musical director, Terry Wethington is the choreographer and Huei Pan is the pit conductor. Brookfield juniors Hannah and Rachel Lutz are assistant directors.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, LT students and seniors.
Plus, Feb. 17 Is a Red-Letter Day
In addition to the Feb. 17 performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie, the school will also host two Black Culture assemblies (9:04 a.m. at the South Campus Fieldhouse and 1:04 at the North Campus Fieldhouse) and the WLTL Radio Rock-a-Thon.
The Rock-a-Thon will broadcast for 88.1 straight hours in honor of their frequency, 88.1 FM. The event will be the school’s 30th year of Rock-a thon and students aim to raise $30,000 in pledges.
A Rocking Chair Finds an LT Home
A rocking chair painted by Lyons Township Transition Program students and featured in the La Grange Business Association’s Summer Sidewalk Art Exhibition: Rocking Chairs has been purchased on behalf of the school by D204 Board member Heather Alderman.
The bright-yellow chair has been relocated to South Campus and has become a destination seat for any and all students.
