The Examiner U-46 News Feed

Student musicians given recognition by U-46 board

By Seth Hancock
  Musicians from School District U-46 high schools were recognized by the Board of Education at its meeting on Monday, March 6.
  Recognized were 10 students who were named All-State Musicians by the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA). The students performed with other musicians across the state in January in Peoria for the ILMEA annual conference.
  Also recognized were two students who were chosen to plat in the pit orchestra for the All-State Production of “Shrek the Musical” at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, also in January.
  “We are proud of the strength of our U-46 music programs and the dedication of our music teachers to help our students be the best they can be. These accomplishments by our exceptional student musicians speak volumes of their commitment to excellence and pride in their musical growth,” said Jaimie Giraldo, coordinator of fine arts, for a U-46 press release.
  All-State Musicians from Bartlett were senior Eric Fox (honors chorus) and juniors Zoey Helle-Kuczynski (future music educators symposium) and Ethan Wankel (all-state chorus). From South Elgin were seniors Alejandro Diaz (honors chorus), Haley Leuze (all-state chorus) and Taylor Picha (honors band).
  From Elgin were seniors Madeline Conter (honors chorus) and Stephanie Skrabacz (all-state band) as well as junior Diego Gomez (future music educators symposium), and from Larkin was senior Madelyn Dobbeck (honors band).
  The musicians chosen for the pit orchestra were Streamwood sophomore Sarah Ballenger and Bartlett junior Sarah Walser.
  Additionally, the board recognized Hector Hernandez, Jr., a math teacher at Elgin’s Larsen Middle School. He was honored, the district press release stated, “for being selected to head the crew of the All-State Production. Hernandez co-leads the Larsen drama club and is the executive director for the 2024 Illinois High School Theatre Festival.”