Arts CHAMPIONS of the Mt. Lebanon School District

The Arts Action Fund is proud to highlight one of our CHAMPIONS, the Mt. Lebanon School District.  They caught our eye because as a student activities group, they are unique among our supporters.  We were then further intrigued by the robust arts achievements and activities happening throughout the district. 

Both the students and faculty of the Mt. Lebanon School District have been extreme busy this 2010/2011 academic year racking up all kinds of accolades and honors.  Here are just a few of the noteworthy accomplishments:

• The Frick Art & Historical Center and the Roy A. Hunt Foundation named Mt. Lebanon School District as the recipient of the 2010 Roy A. Hunt Foundation Award for Commitment to Education in the Arts and Humanities.  This is the first year, since the award's inception, that an entire school district has been recognized with this honor.  The award is given annually to an educator who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the arts and humanities and has successfully integrated the arts into a holistic learning experience. 
• The Mt. Lebanon School District was designated as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in 2011 by NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants.
• Eighth grade Art Enrichment students from Mellon Middle School were named the “Overall Middle School Winner” of the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Banner Contest.
• Two high school television production students won awards in the recent "Take a Shot at Changing the World" video contest.  Tyler Anderson's film "My Hero" received the Grand Prize as well as the fourth place prize for the popular vote!  His film will be aired on WQED and presented on the website of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  He won a $5,000 prize which will be split with the school's Media Arts program.  Olivia Tant received Honorable Mention for her film entitled "How One Little Man Saved the World".
• Two high school television production sophomores, Tyler Anderson and Chloe Schoepflin, nominated Mt. Lebanon High School's television production program for the Best Buy Teach @ 15 program; which helps high schools meet their technology needs.  The team, along with the support of hundreds of student-voters, earned $1500 of Best Buy merchandise for the Mt. Lebanon High School television production program.
• Katie Switzer, one of the art teachers at Mellon Middle School and Howe Elementary School, wrote a children's book entitled Imagine American Art which is being sold in the gift store of the Westmoreland Museum of Art.
• The Mt. Lebanon Senior High School Concert Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at the 2011 Pennsylvania Music Educators association (PMEA) Annual In-Service Conference.
• 19 Mt. Lebanon High School students have been selected through auditions into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Honors Ensembles.  Emily Andrews (Soprano 1), Meredith Andrews (Soprano 1), Susan Hepburn (Soprano 2), Sarah Hill (Soprano 2), Brigitta Hutchins (Alto 2), Hana Berkowitz (Alto 2), Chris Stack (Bass 2), and Alex Reed (Bass 2) were selected for the Honors Choir.  Philip Clippinger (Violin), Alex Draus (Viola), Ryan Fan (Viola), Alexis Trbovich (Viola) and Andrew Vogel (Cello) were selected for the Honors Orchestra.  Kyle Harris (Flute), Greg Kowhacki (Clarinet), Logan Schardt (Clarinet), Alex Kurland (Clarinet), Eddie George (Tuba), and Kevin Schorr (Tuba) were selected for the Honors Band.
• Kyle Harris (flute) was named a winner of the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra Concerto Competition.

We thank the Mt. Lebanon School District for their support of the Arts Action Fund.  We will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of all of our members to ensure that the arts and arts education continue to thrive nationwide.  We are currently gearing up for ArtsVote2012.  A national initiative aimed towards ensuring that the arts impact federal elections by influencing candidates to take strong positions for the arts.  Play your part!  Join or donate to the Arts Action Fund today.