The schools in the Northwest District are underway for a new and successful school year. With economic issues and declining enrollments, our district is constantly changing. We welcome our new chair people as they take on the challenge of continuing the successful tradition in our district.
The Northwest district kicked off the beginning of a new year with a summer board meeting held on Sunday, June 24, in Hays. Minutes and treasurer's report were presented by Connie Reishus and approved by the board. Financially, we are in good shape due to our increase of admission fees last year from $2.00 to $4.00. The new business we discussed came from the talking points of the June executive board meeting in Wichita. In other new business, Bill Schick moved that the scholarship we offer for music education majors be renamed, "The Julie Groom Music Education Scholarship," in honor of Julie who originally started this program. This will be voted on during our December business meeting.
The first of our conventions will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2012, at Hays High School. We will feature the middle level honor choir, the middle level honor band, and the high school jazz band. Craig Manteuffel is our site coordinator for this event and has always been very hospitable to KMEA as we take over HHS for the day. Thanks Craig, for everything. With the passing of Julie Groom, David Will has graciously agreed to continue chairing the high school jazz band. His clinician this year will be Clint Raynes from Scott City, Kansas. A retired music educator, Mr. Raynes is a well-known and respected clinician. Sarah Bricker continues to chair the middle level honor band. She has secured Quentin Breese as their clinician. Mr. Breese is the principal of Concordia High School but was a music educator prior to his appointment as an administrator. Paulette Wildeman is the new chair of the middle level choir. Her clinician this year is Jeanette Raynes who has been a music educator for many years in Kansas.
Our second convention will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012, on the campus of Fort Hays State University. Terry Crull is the site coordinator for this convention. It will feature our elementary honor choir, the high school honor choir, and the high school honor band. Gloria Blackwell continues to chair the elementary choir. Her clinician this year is Marlo Zumbrunn. The high school honor band is still chaired by Deanne Langness and she has secured Paul Popiel from the University of Kansas. Annette Kennedy is our new chair for the high school honor choir. Her clinician is Rager Moore from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. The orchestra will again be chaired by Joan Crull and will be held in the Southwest District.
The Northwest District has five outstanding educator awards to present this year. The recipients are Pat Ziegelmeier from Colby Community College, college teacher of the year, Bill DeWitt of Thomas More Prep High School, outstanding administrator of the year, Annette Kennedy from Phillipsburg Middle and High Schools, outstanding middle school educator, Kathy Dreiling-Amrein from Thomas More Prep High School, outstanding high school educator, and Paulette Wildeman, Stockton Elementary School, as our outstanding elementary educator of the year.
We are looking forward to a new year and the people who have recently stepped up in our district.
2012 Outstanding Educators
Elementary Paulette Wildeman Stockton Elementary School 20 years |
Middle School Annette Kennedy Phillipsburg Middle School 11 years |
High School Kathy Dreiling-Amrein Hays-Thomas More Prep HS 33 years |
Honor Administrator Bill DeWitt Hays-Thomas More Prep HS 16 years |
College Pat Ziegelmeier Colby Community College 25 years |