At VAAE’s annual Supervisory Union/District Arts Education Awards ceremony, seventeen Vermonters were recently honored. Vermont School Superintendents were asked to select individuals who had made a significant contribution to the arts in their school supervisory union/district.

VAAE Awards Chair Gene Childers talks about the Awards Evening format with Deputy  Commissioner Walker and VAAE Board Chair,  Lucinda Hudson-Knapp.

The evening began with a reception at the Vermont State House in Montpelier, followed by welcoming comments by VAAE Board Chair, Lucinda Hudson-Knapp and by Doug Walker, Vermont Deputy Commissioner of Education. Vermont’s 2001 National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute Scholarship recipients, Jocelyn Crawford, Leah Schwartz and Maria Schwartz performed classical selections by Strauss, Rameau and Koepke. Rochester HS students performed a one-act play, Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey Part II, directed by Sue Brennan, and the Spaulding Chorale, directed by Arthur Zorn concluded the evening’s outstanding entertainment. The evening concluded with the presentation of an Award certificate to each honoree by VAAE Awards Chair, Gene Childers and Deputy Commissioner Walker.

The following persons received awards:

Julie Aylward has provided the K-12 Windsor School District energy, leadership, and a consistent commitment to Theater Arts. Not only has she provided theater arts education to students, she also served as a consultant, organizer, and motivator for school assemblies and activities that promote positive school spirit and climate. Julie has created a strong community partnership, diligently worked to obtain supplemental funding, and shown creativeness in providing opportunities for students.
 
 

Artist, Judy Beaney is well known in the Middlebury area for her role as coordinator of the Addison Central SU’s annual "Spring into the Arts Festival" celebration. Judy’s tireless patience, enthusiasm, energy and talent have helped create a culture in which the arts are recognized and valued. Also, Judy has contributed to the arts education of children by providing after school art classes and visual arts instruction at the Cornwall School’s Summer Creative Arts Camp. Photo Caption:  VT Deputy Commissioner for Education Quality Doug Walker presenting Judy Beaney an Education Award Certificate.

Dr. Richard Brothers was honored for his contributions to arts education in Rutland. He started the revitalization of the arts in the Rutland Public Schools in the early 90’s. His vision for the arts as superintendent of the Rutland City Schools led to Rutland’s growth as a leading arts education program in the state. During his tenure as superintendent, he served as President of the Crossroads Arts Council.
 

Susan Cherry is an outstanding arts educator in music and theater arts from St. Johnsbury. For more than ten years, Susan has taught choral music to grades PK-8. She often works without the luxury of a planning period and works late in the afternoon giving private lessons. She directs the middle school musical and a select choir performing throughout the area. Many music students are indebted to Susan for their foundation in choral music.

St. Johnsbury School Distric Honoree,  Susan Cherry visits with Principal Vinny Messina.

Margaret Foster is an outstanding music educator in the Rumney School/Middlesex schools. Her music knowledge and skills combined with great zest for teaching pro-vide students the joys of music. Margaret has worked to develop an elementary school marching band and a grade 4-6 chorus. The Rumney Chorus has performed at Fanueil Hall in Boston, and The Rumney Marching Band has performed in the All-State Parade and in the Burlington Kids Day Parade. Margaret has also integrated the Vermont Strings program into the band. She works collaboratively with her Allied Arts colleagues to advance learning in the arts.

Anne Gleason is the Community Theater Director in Bristol. For the past twenty-eight years Anne has served THE COMMITTEE amateur theatre group as actor, costume designer, director and producer of 50 shows. Among her many contributions, Anne has written grants for educational programs, instructed two school-wide residencies in Bristol and Starksboro schools, provided "guest artist" advisories in Monkton, New Haven and Lincoln elementary schools, served as co-director of musicals and one-act plays for Mount Abraham UHS, Co-Founder of the Potato Hill Players, generates funding for an annual Mount Abraham theatre arts senior scholarship, facilitated out-of-school-time theatre for children and youth, coordinator of the district’s Fine Arts Fair and served as art supervisor/instructor for Bristol Elementary School K-6 students.

Chris Goding has been a tireless volunteer and advocate for the arts in Springfield. He is a computer programmer by trade and a musician by hobby. Chris volunteers in the middle school music department on a weekly basis, spending every Friday coaching small ensembles and individuals. This year, all three trombonists in the Vermont All-State Orchestra are Springfield High School students. Chris is one proud teacher (and Dad)! Also, he is active
in the community arts organization and is an active musician playing the trombone in various local groups and serves as president of the Springfield Community Band.

Sandie Hyzer, an administrative assistant at Mill River Union HS since 1979, has managed the checking and financial accounting for the school’s theatre, Stage 40, since 1988. During the years her children attended Mill River she also served as Stage 40’s costume advisor. Sandie was selected for this award because of her even tempered handling of the fiscal puzzles presented to her by Stage 40 students over the years.

Bob Kramsky, a Brattleboro UHS English teacher, has been synonymous with theatre and theatre training in the Brattleboro area for 27 years. He has taught drama as literature in his English classes and theatre as a functioning art in his Theatre Arts classes. He directs and/or produces three top-notch student productions annually. In addition to his community theater work with the Vermont Theater Company, Bob also serves on their board of trustees. The community always looks forward to the VTC Annual Shakespeare In-the-Park productions Bob founded and often directs or acts.

Melissa Kristiansen is being honored by her schools: Middletown Springs, Tinmouth and Wells because she is the dedicated chairperson of the district’s Arts Alliance Committee, edits the Arts Alliance Newsletter and is a driving force behind the annual "Celebration of the Arts" that features students’ work. Melissa integrates the Arts, Enrichment and Technology into her classroom and sets an example of excellence in her attempt to continually expand and enhance her instructional program.

Steven Light is an outstanding educator who makes an exemplary contribution to the field of Music Education both inside and outside the school. Steven has a genuine enthusiasm for and deep knowledge of his content area and makes strong connections with his students. In the fall of 2000, ten Vermont students were chosen to have their compositions performed by a brass quintet through the Vermont MIDI Project; four of these students were from Hazen. The Hazen US chorus, jazz trio and flute ensemble were invited to perform at the 2001 Governor’s Inaugural Open House, again proving the musical and teaching skills of Steven.

Peter Matthews began his musical career by performing as a guitarist before he took his first music position at Sacred Heart High School in Newport, VT. After the school closed, Peter returned to school to earned his Masters of Music degree in Performance. Nine years ago, Peter accepted a position at Richford Junior/Senior High School where he directs the Concert Band, the choir and a jazz band and has developed a guitar program that features a guitar ensemble. Other activities and courses of study offered at Richford include composition and digital recording. Students are involved in recording school music groups and individual student projects, culminating in an annual school "audio yearbook" CD.

Since October 1998, Becky McMeekin has been the Director of Program and Fund Development for the Chandler Music Hall. Becky has experienced the transforming power of art in her own life as a cellist, violinist, singer and fabric artist. At the Chandler, she has worked relentlessly to provide artists, programs and opportunities for area children to enjoy, and to perform in all areas of the arts. She is responsible for outreach into the community and an Arts-in-the-Schools series for students in over thirty central Vermont schools. Through McMeekin’s efforts, the programs and curriculum of the area schools have been greatly enriched, as have the lives of the students, parents and community members.

Joy Leland Michelson is a Rivendell Academy art teacher who "goes beyond" on a daily  basis. Attuned to the needs of students in middle and high school, she presents projects to kindle interest in various media of art as well as challenging those with strong skills. Aware of students’ scant exposure to the larger world of art; she presents cultures, history of art, and future possibilities through design technology. She is a leader in the district wide Arts Committee; a catalyst for the community "arts" forum, and an example to all to integrate arts in their curriculum. Also, Joy serves as an archaeological illustrator for the Metropolitan Artifacts Museum of Art in New York City.

Jeannie Podolak is an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher in Rutland Northeast S. U. Believing students should experience many different art opportunities, Jeannie organized a two-week summer camp for 300 students which offered architecture, ceramics, puppetry, and kit building. Because she is an exceptionally talented artist exhibiting her works throughout the state, she serves as an inspirational model for her middle grade students at Otter Valley. As a teacher-artist, Jeannie demonstrates the important part art plays in all of our lives.

William "Bill" Von Gillern or known as Mr. Von G. by his students, has built an instrumental music program within the Weathersfield Schools to 85% participation. He motivates students and builds self-esteem through his musical offerings: Beginning Band, Concert Band, two Jazz Bands, and a Wind Ensemble. Mr. Von G. simply promotes a positive attitude within the students and uses "music" as the vehicle to get that attitude. He has done an after school program for over fifteen years. A graduate of Northwestern University, Bill enjoys composing, arranging and performing extensively.

For five years, Mike Young, history educator, has been the supervising designer for the Woodstock Union High School theatre program. His superior designs for productions such as Peter Pan, Hamlet, Cyrano, The Firebugs, Orpheus Descending, The Bacchae, Lear, Chaucer’s Wagon, and Lion in Winter are evidence of his artistry, versatility, and fearlessness. A contractor and archeologist as well as a middle school educator, Mike’s skills are transferred amiably to hosts of student technicians (and actors). Adult mentors join his design-production team because of his high standards and creative work.