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Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sue Kiesewetter reports:

A Lakota East High School student’s poster will soon go on display at the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus.

A poster created by Nugeen Aftab was selected the first place winner in the Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Writing and Multimedia contest.

The poster was selected from 1,500 entries from across the street.

Her poster depicts a phrase of King’s – LOVE is the key to the solution of the problems of the World. It will be displayed along with other winning entries.

She will be honored during a Feb. 23 awards ceremony at the Rhodes State Office Tower.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Nugeen Aftab, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Rhodes State Office Tower, Writing and Multimedia contest

The Lakota West Chorale Choir will be the closing act in the Cincinnati Brass Band sponsored “Cincinnati’s Got Talent” annual Freestore Foodbank Charity Concert at Deer Park High School at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Other performances, announced by master of ceremonies Bob Herzog (Local 12 TV), include the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, The Irish McGing Dancers, crooner Nancy James, the Cincinnati Brass Band and more.

The Lakota West Chorale will sing one song (“Witness”) by them selves and then be joined by the Cincinnati Brass Band in a performance of a piece called “Homeland.”

This is the second time this year a choir group from Lakota West has been involved in a charity concert. In December, it was part of the second annual “Sing for a Cause” benefit concert with Taylor and Finneytown high schools. The recipient of this year’s $6000+ proceeds raised was the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Cincinnati Brass Band happens to have a few members with previous ties to Lakota West Band as well including Al Schmidt, a recently retired Plains Band co-director and Lakota West High School assistant band director.

For more information, see CincinnatiBrassBand.com or LakotaWestChoirs.org.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati’s Got Talent, Lakota West, Lakota West choir, Lakota West Choral director Anthony Nims, Lakota West chorale, Lakota West High School

Mount Notre Dame High School seniors Emma Beyer of Liberty Township and Alex Crumb of West Chester Township were recognized by Good Samaritan Hospital for their fundraising efforts benefiting the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

At the culmination of MND’s MAP (My Action Plan) Program – a four-year empowerment program – each student completes a Capstone Service Project their senior year. Beyer and Crumb quickly determined that they wanted to do something to benefit the NICU at Good Sam.

The students hosted a Pearls by Allison jewelry party, showcasing the designs of Mount Notre Dame parent Allison Warning of Sycamore Township. Warning was delighted to be a part of the girls’ project.

“Emma and Alex did an excellent job identifying a need in the community and finding a solution. Their enthusiasm and attention to detail in their communications for the raffle and jewelry sale resulted in a successful fundraiser for the hospital. It was truly a pleasure to help them reach their goal,” Warning said.

Beyer, who plans to study nursing in college has a strong passion for pediatrics and was so pleased to be able to organize a fundraiser that resulted in a $1,800 donation to Good Sam’s NICU. The hospital was extremely grateful for the girls’ passion and generosity. The funds will be used to improve facilities and to purchase books and toys used by both patients and siblings.

Beyer and Crumb were recently featured in the hospital’s magazine, Trinity, where NICU nurse manager Suzanne Mullins was quoted saying, “This donation means more than new books and toys for siblings of our NICU babies. This donation is a contribution towards improving the quality of the stay for NICU families and siblings. We are so grateful for Emma and Alex and their passion, dedication and willingness to help.”

Mount Notre Dame Head of School Larry Mock is proud of the students’ work.

“This is really a fantastic win-win moment. Emma and Alex were able to grow from the experience while providing a wonderful gift to the Neonatal Unit at Good Sam.”

Posted in: News, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Alex Crumb, Emma Beyer, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mount Notre Dame

The Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty recently presented $125 honorarium college scholarships to Jessica Trygier, a senior student at Lakota West High School, and to Francesca Reynaert, a senior student at Lakota East High School.

Trygier is a member of National Honor Society and has achieved high honors every semester of her high school career. She co-founded the environmental club at Lakota West. She also participated in marching band, symphonic winds and jazz ensemble.

In the community, Trygier is involved with her church choir, youth group, teaches Bible study for young children and has participated in multiple mission trips to New Orleans to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. She is also a volunteer at Children’s Hospital.

Meanwhile, Reynaert is the editor in chief of the Lakota East High School yearbook, a member of National Honor Society and a member of student government. She also on the Lakota East High School swim team and the Sycamore Flying Fish.

She is an accomplished pianist and volunteers at Ohio Music Educators Association competitions. Reynaert also volunteers in the community at New 2 Your Thrift stores and elementary and community festivals.

The two students are eligible for $2,000 college scholarships to be presented to one graduating senior from each of Lakota East High School and Lakota West High School by the Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty.

Locally, the Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty awards $7,000 in college scholarships annually to high school seniors in the Lakota Schools and awards grants to other charitable organizations including such organizations as Reach Out Lakota, NAMI and the EDGE Teen Center.

The Rotary Club also supports students in attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp, Camp Enterprise, and offers a job-shadowing program for seniors at Lakota East High School and Lakota West High School.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Francesca Reynaert, Jessica Trygier, Lakota East, Lakota West, Rotary Club Liberty Township, Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty, Rotary Club West Chester

The Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty is searching for candidates to attend the 2012 District Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp at Camp Kern in Oregonia, Ohio, April 20-22.

Sara Straight Wolf, local Rotary Club Committee Chair, said that participants would be selected from students in their sophomore and junior years of high school who have exhibited leadership abilities in school, church, extracurricular or community activities.

Last spring, Lauren Buck and Tyler Phillips (photo) of Lakota East High School were selected to attend RYLA.

The Rotary Club is in the process of contacting churches, schools, youth organizations, and other sources for nominations.

Aimed at developing the leadership qualities of young people, the camp will feature many challenging activities, including speakers, discussions, sports, music, and fun. Topics will focus on decision making, critical thinking, communicating effectively, public service, problem solving and career development.

For more information, contact Sara Straight Wolf by emailing ssw@corsbassett.com or by calling 513-852-8230.

Locally, the Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty awards $7,000 in college scholarships annually to high school seniors in the Lakota Schools and awards grants to other charitable organizations including such organizations as Reach Out Lakota, NAMI and the EDGE Teen Center.

The Rotary Club also supports students in attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp, Camp Enterprise, and offers a job-shadowing program for seniors at Lakota East High School and Lakota West High School.

Posted in: Events, News, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota West, Lauren Buck, Rotary Club Liberty Township, Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty, Rotary Club West Chester, Sara Straight Wolf, Tyler Phillips

Release from the Lakota Local School district:

Throughout January, students in the Lakota Local School District have been exploring the lessons of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. by reading and writing about King and his ideas as well as using the arts to express themselves.

The activities will lead up to the observance of MLK Day in various ways, including:

• The Student Leadership Club at Heritage Elementary will highlight King’s contributions during daily announcements. That historical information will reinforce classroom activities focused on MLK Day, which include read-alouds and discussions.

• Fifth graders from Freedom Elementary are writing essays to be submitted to the Southwestern Ohio Education Association on topics related to King. Other students at Freedom will study King’s legacy in their classrooms.

• At Cherokee Elementary, third graders will read and discuss King’s biographical information, then read the book Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. In response, they will write about their goals or ideas with the theme of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. (more…)

Posted in: Events, News, School events, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Live the Dream: Our Declaration of Unity program, Live the Dream: Our Declaration of Unity program West Chester, March for Unity in Our Community, March for Unity in Our Community West Chester, March for Unity West Chester, Martin Luther King Day, Martin Luther King Day West Chester, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day West Chester

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Michael D. Clark reports:

Despite high notes in recent years that include performing in California’s Rose Parade and last week at a prestigious music event in Chicago, Lakota Schools’ band programs may be headed for a downbeat next year due to pending budget cuts.

The heralded band and orchestra programs at both Lakota high schools may be targeted soon in another round of budget cuts as part of $9 million in planned reductions for the financially struggling school system.

This school year already saw elimination of sixth-grade music education classes, a loss that staffers say will have repercussions for years as students are delayed from matriculating through Lakota’s bands and orchestras.

“My biggest worry is how many seventh-graders will not sign up for band next year and if they do, how far behind will they be,” says Lakota West High School band director Greg Snyder.

On Jan. 1, 2008, Snyder led the marching Firebirds of Lakota West High School, one of the largest bands in Southwest Ohio, as they earned the distinction of being the first from this region to perform in the annual Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

Later that year, the Lakota East High School band performed during parades and memorial services in Hawaii marking the anniversary of the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lakota’s music programs and its wide travel have attracted fund-raising support and special public performances in its schools by both the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Ballet.

Just last week, Lakota West’s band earned kudos from music directors from around the world during its performance at the internationally attended Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. (more…)

Posted in: Levy news, News, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: 2011 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, cuts, Greg Snyder, Karen Manita, Karen Mantia, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East Band, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia, Lakota West, Lakota West band, Lakota West Symphonic Winds, reductions, school levy, Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia, superintendent Karen Mantia

Past artists from Lakota West High School are expected to return to their alma mater Dec. 20.

The school’s Visual Arts Department is sponsoring the eighth annual Lakota West Art Alumni Day. From 11:05 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., graduates will be presenting projects in rooms 281-283.

Alumni work from their college art and design programs – or professional jobs – will be presented. They will also discuss college expectations, curriculum, internships and career opportunities with current students.

Colleges such as the University of Cincinnati/DAAP, Columbus College of Art & Design, Savannah College of Art & Design, Xavier University, Miami University, the Art Academy of Cincinnati and many more will be represented.

Many former art students are now working in the fashion industry, advertising, product and automotive design.

If you are alumni and want to participate in the event, email Stephanie Gauer at Stephanie.Gauer@lakotaonline.com before Friday.

For more information, call 513-874-5699.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West art program, Lakota West High School, Lakota West Visual Arts Department, Stephanie Gauer

Andy Giese of West Chester has been named a National Merit Semi-finalist.

Giese, a senior at Mars Hill Academy, was recognized for his junior year performance on the Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test. About 1.5 million students take the test year and less than 4 percent are recognized as semi-finalists or commended students.

• Lakota West 2012 National Merit Semi-Finalists

Most semi-finalists will advance to the finalist level next spring and may thereby qualify for National Merit Scholarships.

More than 25 percent of Mars Hill students earned commended or finalist status.

“This is another confirmation of the effectiveness of a classical Christian education,” said Paul Brinkerhoff, the school’s dean of academic affairs. “We do not teach to any test, but rather hold true to classical methods while pursuing standards of truth, goodness and beauty grounded in the Scriptures.”

The Mason Christian school has an enrollment of 304 students in K-12.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Andy Giese, Mars Hill Academy, Mars Hill Academy Mason, National Merit Scholarship Program, National Merit Semi-Finalists, Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test

The Lakota West Symphonic Winds will make Ohio high school history this month when it performs at the 2011 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago Dec. 16.

Lakota West will be the first band program from the state to be invited to perform in the clinic three times.

Greg Snyder, Lakota West Symphonic Winds director, said the band was selected through a rigorous audition process.

“The performance at the Midwest Clinic represents the pinnacle of performances for any high school band,” Snyder said. “We are proud to represent Ohio and our community for the third time at this prestigious event.”

The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic is an annual, international event, which invites bands, orchestras, ensembles, and music professionals from around the world to come together to experience the forefront of music playing and education.

For more information on the specifics of the clinic, visit its website at www.midwestclinic.org.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: 2011 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Greg Snyder, Lakota West, Lakota West band, Lakota West Symphonic Winds