These students from Lawrence schools were nominated for recognition by the fine arts faculty and recognized Friday at the Community Education Breakfast. Superintendent Randy Weseman is at left, and keynote speaker for the event and Nashville musician Chuck Mead, a 1979 Lawrence High School graduate, is at right.

Editor’s note: These are some remarks by Lawrence school Superintendent Randy Weseman during Friday’s sixth annual Community Education Breakfast.

I want to celebrate student achievement today. And, since the theme for this morning’s breakfast centers on arts in education, I thought it appropriate to focus on some of our students’ accomplishments in the arts.

While I easily could’ve filled this room with Lawrence students who deserve recognition, I am hosting 13 students – a baker’s dozen, you might say.

They are a representative sample, if you will, of the 10,300-plus bright and talented young people who, as we speak, are heading off to schools in our district.

Jerry Wang

As a Weseman, I can identify with the W’s always being last, so I’m starting with Jerry Wang. He’s a Lawrence High School senior. He wants to study industrial design, photography and business in college. His photography teacher, Angela Perkins, tells me that he arrives at school an hour early by choice to work on homework or extra art projects. Jerry earned the highest rating possible in Advanced Placement Photo testing last year. He has won photography awards at the Five-State Juried Photo competition and the Images of Aging contest. His artwork has been exhibited at Image Works, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence Public Library, Ben and Jerry’s and Corner Bank. This summer, Jerry completed several freelance photo projects, sold some of his photographs and created a Web site showcasing his work. He also has a solo exhibition opening Saturday at the Clinton Parkway Hy-Vee gallery.

Rachael Mulford

Rachael Mulford is a senior at Free State High School. She has been selected for several honor band positions, including the John Philip Sousa State Honor Band in 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Kansas Music Educators’ Association State Band last year, and the Kansas University Kansas City Youth Wind Symphony last year. Rachael has received nine first-division ratings on percussion solos at both regional and state music festivals during the past three years. I hear she plays a mean marimba solo! And, on the national level, Rachael was selected for Bands of America 2007, held in Indianapolis.

Sarah Ybarra

Sarah Ybarra is a senior at Lawrence High. Along with LHS recent graduate Lexi Welch, Sarah wrote, directed and produced a 26-minute documentary film titled “No Child Left Unrecruited” that premiered last April at the Lawrence Arts Center. Her film explores a little-known provision in the No Child Left Behind Act that requires public schools to provide the military with high school students’ directory information unless parents choose to exercise opt-out provisions. Sarah and Lexi screened their film for Lawrence parents to inform them about the law. The film also received national attention when a California congressman invited the students to a screening for a group of lawmakers at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. I’d like to say I am the star of Sarah’s film, but I’m just one of many people she interviewed. I’m sure you can appreciate how proud we are of these students for drawing public attention to an important issue.

It’s no surprise to me that Sarah Ybarra wants to pursue a career in film.

Masa Ohtake

Isn’t this fun! I could go on and on, you know. We’ve got great kids in the Lawrence Public Schools like Masa Ohtake, Free State High School senior. Born in Japan, Masa began playing piano at age 5. His interests shifted in fourth grade, like more fourth-graders’ interests do. He took up the trombone. Since relocating to Lawrence at age 12, Masa has won numerous awards, including the Outstanding Band Student award in 2003 and again in 2005. He has several competitions under his belt, including three years of Lawrence Arts Center Honor Recitals, Superior One ratings at district and state solo and ensemble contests, and selection for the KMEA All-State Band and All-State Orchestra. Oh, and he sings too! Masa sang in the Men’s Choir at Free State during his sophomore year and earned a spot in the elite Chamber Choir last year and again this year. Masa is a freelance performer, and when he’s not performing, he instructs three other students in trombone. He plans to major in trombone performance in college, and his goal is to be a jazz band performer.

Stephanie Drahozal

Stephanie Drahozal is a senior at Lawrence High. She has taken a leadership role in the fine arts with involvement in choir, orchestra and drama. She’s in A Capella Choir and last year sang in KMEA district and state festival choirs. She was selected as a member of the Kansas Choral Directors’ Association’s State High School Women’s Honor Choir the past two summers. She also plays violin in the school orchestra, taking string ensembles to district and state solo and ensemble festivals. She portrayed Irene Molloy in “Hello, Dolly” and Daisy Mae in “Li’l Abner.” She’s had parts in school and Summer Youth Theater plays: “My Fair Lady,” “Death of a Doornail,” “Les Miserables,” and “The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged.” I hope this doesn’t embarrass Stephanie, but I would be reticent not to mention that she also earned a perfect “36” score on the ACT college-entrance exam last year.

Arielle Bremby

Arielle Bremby is a senior at Free State. Her art teacher, Laurie McLane-Higginson, tells me she is an all-around great student with a positive attitude. She has been active in debate for two years and as an FYI club member and Junior Officer. She served as a lighting technician for the student variety show, “Encore.” She has taken ceramics, jewelry, ceramics studio and drawing classes and has exhibited work at the Lawrence Arts Center and the Lawrence Public Library. Arielle is a member in the National ART Honor Society. Her teacher says she is always first to volunteer and to lead other students in events supporting the arts in the community.

Hannah Foerschler

Hannah Foerschler is a freshman at Southwest Junior High. She was nominated by her teachers for her great work in the theater department. She has been a drama club officer and has participated in band and choir. She is an excellent student and a leader in chorus, setting an example with her fine musicianship and skillful singing. You may have seen Hannah perform with Summer Youth Theater productions or with the Lawrence Children’s Choir. Her teachers say she is a positive asset to the Southwest Fine Arts Department.

Catherine Morel

Catherine Morel is a sophomore at Free State. She has played the clarinet for four years since starting as a student at Hillcrest. While at West Junior High, she received numerous honors for her musicianship. She was selected by taped audition for the John Philip Sousa Honor Band, not once, not twice, but three years in a row. This is an honor band that selects the finest musicians from across the state. The students receive the music in advance, and then they come together for a few days of rehearsals before performing at the Lied Center at the University of Kansas. If you have not attended one of these performances, you’re missing something special right here in our own back yard. Catherine is now a member of the Free State Marching Band and hones her skills in private lessons.

Xander Casad

Xander Casad is a senior at LHS. He was the one directing the Marching Lions earlier this morning. You’ll spot him at football half-time shows balancing on the ladder platform directing the band. He’s been a field conductor for two years. He plays the saxophone and is an LHS Concerto competition winner, Lead Alto Sax in the Jazz Ensemble, and first chair in the Symphonic Band. Xander has received honors with the KMEA district and state festival bands, earned first division outstanding ratings in district and state solo and small ensemble festivals, and is a Lawrence Arts Center Honors Recital winner, performing last year on Kansas Public Radio as a result of his abilities. He also sings in the A Capella Choir and enjoys theater. Xander shared the stage with Stephanie in “Hello, Dolly.” He portrayed Cornelius Hackle, a lead role.

Raquel Gonzalez

Raquel Gonzalez is a Free State senior. She has played the flute since fifth grade and has sung in choirs since junior high. She has studied flute and voice privately, propelling her to appear as a soprano soloist in school productions like Handel’s “Messiah” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” She’s been a member of the KMEA honor band, received superior ratings at regional and state festivals in flute, voice and instrumental ensembles. She sang, along with the orchestra, as a winner of the Concerto competition and appeared in the Lawrence Arts Center Honor Recital on flute. She attended the prestigious National Interlochen Art Camp as a vocal major and is a member of the Chamber Choir, Chamber Singers, Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra. She’s the total package, you might say.

Joe Carr

Joe Carr is a Free State senior. He has toured internationally with the Lawrence Children’s Choir. A former member of the West Junior High Honor Choir and Chorale, he has since participated in Freshman Honor Orchestra and solo and ensemble festivals. As a sophomore, he was president of the Men’s Choir and received one ratings at district and state solo and ensemble festivals for both voice and cello. Last year, he performed in district, state and KMEA honor choirs as a member of the school’s Chamber Choir, and was part of the cast of Encore. Joe is currently taking an independent study course in choral conducting through Men’s Choir and is active in choir, orchestra, band and theater.

Cali Burke and Michelle Jones

I’m going to introduce the final two student representatives together. Cali Burke is a Free State senior and a member of the National ART Honor Society. She’s taking Drawing Studio and Advanced Placement Art and Jewelry classes. Her work has been exhibited at the Public Library, the Arts Center and the State Board of Education office. She’s president of the school’s Philosophy Club, and Cali certainly has some creative ideas. She organized the school’s first Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament last year.

Michelle Jones is a Lawrence High senior. She’s played violin since the fourth grade. She’s been singing since junior high with the South Singers and now, Lawrence High’s A Capella Choir. She’s also a member of the LHS Orchestra and has received one ratings at state solo and small ensemble competitions.

But perhaps what’s most impressive to me about Cali and Michelle is that as members of Senior Girl Scout Troop 6-23, they spent about 65 hours planning and implementing a musical instrument collection project. As a result, community members donated more than 40 instruments, including a rare clarinet, which by itself is worth upwards of $2,500.

The girls also worked with local music stores who agreed to donate instrument repair services. The troop donated the instruments they collected to our schools for use by students who might not otherwise be able to afford to buy their own instruments.

I know that most of you have heard of the Boy Scout’s Eagle Scout award. Well, for their work with the instrument collection project, Cali, Michelle and four other members of their troop – Paula Kyriakos, Taylor Fulton, Amy Coons and Kathleen Finnegan – earned the Gold Award, the highest honor a senior Girl Scout can receive.