Latest news with #MaineSouthHighSchool
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Maine South High School music teacher in GRAMMY Educator Award contention
A Maine South High School music teacher is in the running for a coveted GRAMMY award as an educator. In a news release, Maine Township High School District 207 leaders announced that Leo Park, orchestra director at Maine South, is a quarter finalist for the annual Music Educator Award, 'which honors impactful music educators in the U.S.' The release explains that a total of 200 music teachers from 180 cities – and a pool of 2,000 initial nominations – are currently in the running for the award. The semi-finalists for the award are expected to be announced in September, with the winner of the 2026 Music Educator Award honored during GRAMMY Week 2026, which is days ahead of the 2026 GRAMMYs and officially known as the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards. 'We are incredibly proud of Leo and will be eagerly following the next phase of the selection process,' Teralyn Keith, Maine South Fine Arts Department chair, stated in the release. The Music Educator Award is a joint partnership and presentation of the Recording Academy of the GRAMMY Museum, and it recognizes current educators — kindergarten through college, and public and private schools — who have made a 'significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools,' according to the release. The award is open to current U.S. music teachers. Anyone can nominate a teacher, including students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Nominated teachers are notified and invited to complete an application, the release explains. Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists. The winner will will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the GRAMMYs and a range of GRAMMY Week 2026 events. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. Fifteen semi-finalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants, according to the release.
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Organizers hopeful their famous classmate Hillary Clinton will attend the Maine South and East high schools 60 year reunion
Later this month, members of the Maine East/Maine South high school class of 1965 – which includes notable alums Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Candy – will attend what organizers believe will be their last formal reunion. 'Everybody that I talk to asks: 'Is Hillary coming? Is Hillary coming?'' Maine East/Maine South Class of '65 reunion committee member Bill Frey said, referring to the former secretary of state and first lady. 'I hope she does come, really,' Frey said, 'because this will be our last formal one.' The reunion is set to start June 20 with a cocktail reception. The main event is scheduled for the next day, with both taking place at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago, organizers explained. The Class of 1965 was divided between two schools in the students' senior year, but they have – with few exceptions – held joint reunions every five years. In addition to Clinton and Candy, the class counts among its alumni an Olympic torch-bearer and a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter. Their 1995 reunion drew national attention when Clinton, now a former New York senator, U.S. secretary of state and Democratic candidate for U.S. president, hosted the event in Washington D.C. during her time as first lady. Clinton had been one of the first students to graduate from Maine South High School. According to archived clippings from the student newspaper, 'Southwords,' Clinton, then Rodham, helped write a constitution for the student body leadership and campaigned for Republican Barry Goldwater in a student mock election. Nevertheless, Frey pointed out that the success stories to come out of Maine East and Maine South go beyond Clinton. He mentioned their classmate Tim Lindgren, a Hyatt hotel chain executive, helped Clinton's childhood friend Betsy Johnson Ebeling and other organizers plan for the 1995 reunion. There were approximately 1,200 attendees. 'Betsy and I were sort of the ringleaders of the Washington reunion,' Lindgren said. 'I was kind of a vehicle to help them with things like the Grand Hyatt Washington and helping them with the catering.' Ebeling died in 2019. And before Clinton was on the national stage, their classmate Steve Goodman had captured the spotlight for his folk songs like, 'You Never Even Call Me By My Name,' 'City of New Orleans,' and 'Go, Cubs, Go!' Goodman died of leukemia in 1984. 'He just passed away too soon. A tremendous talent,' said Frey. 'He was a revered member of our class.' Frey said that after the class's 10-year reunion in 1975, the members of the class of '65 devoted themselves almost religiously to attending reunions every five years. 'The only one we missed, really, is during the COVID year, 2020,' he said. Lindgren pointed out that the Class of '65 lived through a transformative and divisive time. They graduated a few years after President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated, the Vietnam War was beginning to escalate and the Civil Rights Movement was reaching a boiling point. But Lindgren believes it's the fact that his class was divided physically that sets them apart. 'You had to go to Maine South or you had to go to Maine East, and Oakland Street in Park Ridge was the dividing line,' Lindgren said. He believes it's that separation that has made his classmates so determined to hold on to those ties for so many years. 'All of a sudden, you split from all your friends. That was really hard for a lot of us,' he said. 'We were two separate schools, but we decided we would always be one reunion in one group.' But he also recognizes that as class members reach their late-70s, many of them won't make the trip back in another five years, and that soon there won't be enough of them to hold big formal reunions anymore. 'I think we'll see that this is the last highly organized reunion that will ever happen' for this graduating class, he said.
Chicago Tribune
17-03-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Maine South High School math, English teachers finalist for Gold Apple award
A math teacher and a veteran English instructor from Maine South High School have been name finalists for a coveted education award. Zanfina Muja, a sophomore English teacher, and Cheng Jin, an immigrant who was formerly part of an English Language Learner program, are in the running for a 2025 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, according to the nonprofit organization that gives out the award, as well as Maine Township High School District 207 officials. According to the eponymous organization, the Golden Apple award honors 'outstanding teachers for having lasting, positive effects on students' lives and school communities. Teacher finalists demonstrate—in their teaching and results—a significant, positive impact on their students' growth and learning.' Muja has 11 years of experience teaching English, and currently co-leads a classroom designed to support students with different learning abilities, according to District 207 officials. An English II instructor – teaching sophomores – she uses literary theories in her teaching, and helps students analyze texts through historical and societal lenses. 'Her students apply W.E.B. Du Bois' Double Consciousness Theory and Gloria Anzaldúa's Borderlands Theory to literature, deepening their understanding of identity and perspective,' district officials explained about Muja's teaching style. Further, she takes part in curriculum development. Muja also mentors educators, coaches pre-service teachers, and leads literacy initiatives to strengthen instruction across disciplines. Also called an academic literacy specialist, she aids teachers in using 'robust instructional strategies' and helps cultivate student engagement, District 207 officials say. 'Her dedication to student mentorship has helped struggling learners gain confidence in writing and critical thinking, often shaping their future success. Recognized as a leader in equity-driven education, she creates a thought-provoking learning environment where all students feel valued,' officials said about Muja. The Golden Apple award process is a highly competitive one, organization officials say, and of 470 nominations of ninth to 12th grade instructors, only 30 were selected as finalists. 'Great teachers change lives. These finalists exemplify the dedication and passion that define exceptional teaching,' Golden Apple organization President Alan Mather, stated in a news release announcing all of the 2025 finalists. Maine South, located in Park Ridge, is one of three high schools in District 207 and enrolls some 2,500 students. District 207 officials call Cheng Jin an 'exceptional' math teacher who 'brings unique perspectives and innovation to his classroom.' School leaders explain that Jin, an immigrant from China and a former English Language learner, draws on his personal experiences to connect with his students. 'He is also committed to his professional development, which is evident in his pursuit of National Board Certification and his participation in the T3 (Teachers Teaching with Technology) Teacher Leader Cadre with Texas Instruments,' district officials say. Through use of technology, Jin has helped bolster student confidence in using advanced calculators and other learning aids. 'Cheng's impact on student learning is remarkable,' officials say. 'His use of technology in the classroom has commitment to his students and their understanding makes him a standout teacher in his field. All of the finalists will have to wait until spring to find out if they made the final cut to this year's class of award recipients. According to the Golden Apple release, the winning teachers will be surprised in the spring, and their prize will include a sabbatical at Northwestern University at no cost. They will also receive a $5,000 cash award and be named fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators. The academy is described as a community of educators who play an integral role in preparing the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs. 'Their commitment to fostering student growth and inspiring a love for learning enriches not only their classrooms but also the entire educational community. We are honored to recognize their invaluable contributions,' Gold Apple organization officials stated about the finalists and award-winners.
Chicago Tribune
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Maine South High School drumline picks up music org's student engagement award
After being nominated by the Maine Township School High School District 207director of bands, a drumline at Maine South High School has been recognized by a nonprofit music access and advocacy organization with an award for student engagement. District officials announced in a news release that the Unified Drumline of Maine South, one of three schools in SD207, is a recipient of the Music for All award in the category of student recruitment, engagement and retention – for its 'exceptional strategies' in this area. 'Music for All is an organization whose vision is to be a catalyst to ensure that every child in America has access and opportunity for active music-making in their scholastic environment. These awards highlight educators and programs that have created an event or idea that is exceptional in their field and community,' the release states. The release explains that the Advocacy in Action awards are presented annually in seven categories: Community Involvement, Decision-Maker Engagement, Elementary Excellence, Innovative Fundraising, Marketing and Promotion, Parent/Booster Support, and Student Recruitment, Engagement and Retention. According to the release, the Unified Drumline started in the 2023-2024 academic year based on a suggestion from Lily Heneghan, then a Maine South senior. In the program, band students and special education students work together on drumming fundamentals including how to hold drumsticks, how to play the drums, rhythm games and more. Together, they prepare songs to perform at fall assemblies and home football games. 'Music is such an international language that connects people – no matter who you are, what you do or where you're from, music can bring us all together,' Director of Bands David Hutter stated in the release. 'Seeing the Unified Drumline perform at the assembly or at the football game is powerful. At the football game this year, it was the quietest I'd ever heard that stadium because the whole crowd, the thousands of people in the audience, were all completely engaged and wanted to hear what was going on. They were so supportive.' Advocacy in Action is a program of Music for All that is designed to collect, recognize and share practices and initiatives that support music education in schools, the release explains. The organization's awards 'recognize and celebrate the commitment of school administrators, community leaders, teachers and parents who believe in music education and are advocating to ensure that it is part of a comprehensive education for all children,' according to the release.
