Latest news with #LutheranHighSchool
CBS News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Colorado's top high school performances recognized at Bobby G Awards, Lutheran High wins big
Every year, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts hosts Colorado's own version of the Tony Awards for high schoolers. The Bobby G Awards recognize the best actors, actresses, set designers, directors, sound technicians, makeup artists, choreographers and more throughout Colorado's high schools. CBS The DCPA's event includes 14 different awards for excellence being handed out. Officially known as the "Bobby G High School Musical Theatre Awards," the event took place May 16 at the Ellie Caulkins Theatre in Downtown Denver. Nominees are determined by a team of judges that travel the state each year to review and grade shows, leading up to winners being determined for the Bobby G Awards. Some of the high schools nominated in several categories included Lutheran of Parker, Fossil Ridge of Fort Collins, Durango, Castle View of Castle Rock, Vista Ridge of Colorado Springs and more. Luther High School won big at the 2025 Bobby G Awards. The school's take on the famous show "Newsies" was nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Direction. CBS "I never thought I would be here in the first place," said Grayson Graham, the lead actor in Lutheran's production. Jillian Lietzau, an educator at Lutheran, won the award for Best Director of a High School Performance. "It was the best experience," Lietzau said. Lietzau, who spent much of her time thanking God for helping her and her students create their show, said in the end, the production was for an audience of one. However, she was honored to be recognized. "God just blessed us to be here," Lietzau said. Lietzau wasn't the only one from her school to win. Her student, Graham, won the award given to the Best Male Actor. The school also won for Best Overall Musical. "To hear our name called three different times to win was unbelievable and magical," Lietzau said. "Knowing I had the opportunity right here in Denver was amazing," Graham said. "To see him grow and step outside his comfort zone, and to reach the heights he reached to create that amazing character is such a blessing," Lietzau said. Best Lead Actress and Actor, Hannah Schnorr and Grayson Graham CBS The actress who took home the award for Best Female in a Leading Role was Fossil Ridge High School's Hannah Schnorr. "I am so excited," Schnorr said. "It is such an honor. All of the nominees are so talented. So, when they called my name, I was like, 'Me?!'" "It is amazing, we have all worked so hard," Graham said. Schnorr and Graham will now travel to New York City, where they will compete against the best teen performers from each state for a national title. The nominees and winners CBS News Colorado spoke with all said they were grateful for the recognition and services that the Denver Center for the Performing Arts offered to them and their peers. "It doesn't matter who they are, where they are coming from. (The DCPA) allows a program like this to celebrate the arts and theatre for the students, that is amazing," Lietzau said. Schnorr is planning to pursue the arts in college. Graham said he is still determining what he wants to do, but felt this award encouraged him to pursue performing as a profession one day. "We are all gifted. We are all blessed. We all have a shot at this," Graham said. "Maybe there is more I can do in the music field, and maybe I can dip more into acting." Schnorr said she believed the DCPA and Bobby G Awards encouraged students of all communities to consider getting involved in the arts. "Work hard, dream big, keep working toward their goals because it is so fun," Schnorr said. "Theatre is an amazing art. More people should do it." A full list of the nominees and winners can be found online.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Former Wis. Lutheran High School teacher accused of child sex crimes
The Brief A former Wis. Lutheran High School teacher is accused of sex crimes in 2024. The accused is identified on his social media accounts as a Lutheran school teacher. The defendant made his initial appearance in Waukesha County court on Monday, Feb. 17. WAUKESHA, Wis. - A 35-year-old Waukesha man and former Wisconsin Lutheran High School teacher is accused of sex crimes with a teenager. The accused is Justin Liepert – and he faces the following criminal counts: Child enticement Sexual intercourse with a child (three counts) What we know According to the criminal complaint, a Waukesha police detective made contact on Nov. 24, 2024 with a 16-year-old juvenile victim. That person reported he had communicated with an adult male via an app called "Sniffies" between February and March 2024. That teen had also communicated with the same person on Snapchat and Telegram. The victim described the adult male "as a married, Lutheran school teacher," the complaint says. The teen indicated he met with the defendant "about three or four times," the complaint says. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android When the detective checked the defendant's Snapchat account, it was discovered that "he is a teacher at a Lutheran school." The complaint goes on to say "records showed the user explaining that he teaches 9-12 grade at a private school." It also shows "the defendant's receipt of several sexually explicit videos" from the teenage victim," the complaint says. The detective interviewed the defendant on Feb. 13, 2025. The defendant advised he has a Snapchat and Sniffies account. The defendant indicated he did not have his Sniffies account because he deleted it a few weeks prior, the complaint says. The law enforcement conducted forensics on the defendant's phone. It "revealed that the defendant's map application reported the defendant visiting (the victim's) residence" on one day in March 2024 and two days in May 2024. What they're saying Landon Zacharyasz, principal of Wisconsin Lutheran High School, issued a statement on this matter on Tuesday, Feb. 18. It reads as follows: "On Friday, February 14, our administration was informed by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department that a WLHS employee was in custody due to illegal activity. The employee was absent from school on Friday and will not be allowed back on the premises. "We have since terminated this person's employment with WLHS, as he has been charged with illegal activity that grievously violates the terms of our code of conduct at WLHS. "While we have no reason to believe the situation involved any WLHS students, we pray for any victims. Our school family is stunned and saddened by this discovery. We turn to our Savior to find strength and comfort, knowing he is with us during this difficult time. "The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community is our highest priority. We want to assure our community that all hiring decisions include thorough reference and periodic background checks as required by DPI and robust evaluations. All candidates must meet the high standards expected at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. We share our expectations regarding our standards of conduct with all employees and execute regular trainings to ensurethey are understood in practice. "Wisconsin Lutheran High School remains committed to its mission of preparing young adults for productive, Christ-centered lives in a diverse world." Liepert's role FOX6 News reached out to Wisconsin Lutheran High School to clarify Liepert's title and role at the school. Officials said in 2020, Liepert was hired as a teacher at the high school. In June 2021, the school's previous librarian retired and Liepert had the background and qualifications to take on the role as librarian, to fill that vacancy. What's next Liepert made his initial appearance in Waukesha County court on Monday, Feb. 17. Cash bond was set at $5,000. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Liepert is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on March 19. The Source The information in this post was provided by online court records as well as the criminal complaint associated with this case.
