Happy New Year Dear Colleagues! With holiday programs behind us it is time to make plans to attend the Tri-M sessions at the KMEA In-Service Workshop in February. You can check the KMEA website through February 15 to register your name and the names of your students or additional adult sponsors. This will allow me the time I need to prepare the name badges that are necessary for admission into all ISW activities.

There will be a change in venue for the Friday, February 24, Tri-M sessions. I am pleased to let you know we will be meeting in the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview which will give us a bit more room. You will need to report any time between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. directly to the Drury Hotel lobby instead of checking in as you have in the past at the registration area in the connecting lobby between the Hyatt and Century II. Our morning will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Drury in room 105 with a new feature called "Tri-M's Got Talent" also known as The "M" Factor. Each chapter in attendance can showcase their best one minute of talent in front of the other students and a panel of NAfME Collegiate judges. Please consider having a soloist or a group (e.g., vocal, instrumental, dance, etc.,) perform for a 60 second entry. I would like to know the name of your entry prior to February 24, so we can be organized. Our time for sharing talent will last until 9:30 a.m. The winner will be the first to claim the traveling trophy and have bragging rights for an entire year!

I believe the most important session will be from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. when each chapter will provide a short presentation about their successful activities within their schools and communities. This can be in the form of a skit or a shared presentation. Many great ideas have surfaced from these sessions in the past. Our third session will feature Milton Allen from Ohio State University. He will present "Hero Training: How To Harness Your Super Powers!" You won't want to miss it! Lunch will be on your own with time allowed to visit the Exhibition Hall, performances, sessions, or honor group rehearsals.

I know you are currently experiencing a busy time of the school year. For me it's where do I find the "extra" time to prepare students for three different honor choirs??!! Taking time to attend the KMEA In-Service Workshop is just the ticket to recharge you and help you plan for the remainder of your school year. I am looking forward to seeing you and your students in February!