An Evening of Piano Music #207Now #musiceducation @mainewestfab

 

Last night's Piano Recital was a wonderful celebration of student learning, creativity, and dedication. Students took the "stage" to perform a wide range of pieces, showcasing not only their technical skills, but also their musical expression and confidence.

From first-time performers to more experienced pianists, each student demonstrated meaningful growth. It was especially exciting to see students take ownership of their music-making - sharing pieces they’ve worked hard on and bringing their own interpretation to each performance.

Thank you to our students for their hard work, and to the families and staff who continue to support and encourage them!

Thank you to Ms. Daniella Valdez for preparing the students and organizing the recital!

More pictures can be found HERE.

Award-Winning Storytelling: Maine West Filmmakers Shine on Regional and National Stages #207Now #studentfilmmakers @wmth_west @mainewestfab

 

The momentum continues to build for Maine West filmmakers - and this latest round of recognition shows just how high the bar has been set! 

At the recent Midwest Media Educators’ Association (MMEA) Film Festival, students earned an impressive range of honors, while also gaining major recognition from National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) - an achievement often compared to the student version of the Emmy Awards.

National Recognition: NATAS Honors

Earning a nomination from NATAS is a major accomplishment on its own - but bringing home a Crystal Pillar Award places students at the very top tier of high school filmmaking.

This year’s NATAS nominations included:

• Arts & Entertainment – Fantastic Feasts and Where to Find Them: Marina Mariscos by Nolan Bain, Yezmeen Talbert, Alex Trejo, Korbin Maynard 
• Music Video – Make It Through by Lucy Pluta, Karina Ramirez, Noah Becker, Frederick Vis, Mevis Membribes, Jackson Glunt, Korbin Maynard, Ethan Lindgren
• Non-Fiction Short Form – Jim Cook’s Honor Flight by Frederick Vis, Lucy Pluta, Jackson Glunt, Mevis Membribes, Ivan Ochoa, Karen Orozco, Ethan Lindgren, Korbin Maynard, Abin Varhese
• PSA – Filtered Out by Kallie Vanadia and Mikko Espino

Crystal Pillar Winner (Student Emmy equivalent!)

• PSA – Filtered Out by Kallie Vanadia and Mikko Espino

This recognition reflects not only creative storytelling, but also a deep commitment to producing meaningful, polished work that connects with audiences.

MMEA Film Festival Success

At the Midwest Media Educators Association Film Festival, Maine West students also earned top placements among strong regional competition:

• 2nd Place – Talk Show
  The Hyperfix Podcast by Mikko Espino and Ray Copeland 
• 4th Place – Documentary
  Bob Misevich’s Honor Flight by Carlos Oraha, Josh Murphy, Cris Lawpattanapong, Vanessa D'Ottone
• 4th Place – PSA
  Filtered Out by Kallie Vanadia and Mikko Espino

Finalists Across Multiple Categories

In addition to award winners, a large group of student films were selected as finalists (Top 10–15), highlighting the depth and consistency of the program:

• News Program - Warrior Weekly by Olivia Young, Ivan Ochoa, Sami Alam, Lianna Ritti, Kallie Vanadia, Alex Trejo
• Natural Audio News Packages - Fire Station Open House by Sami Alam and Ivan Ochoa, Des Plaines Tree Lighting by Olivia Young, Autos Class by Korbin Maynard, Alex Trejo, Nolan Bain 
• News Packages - How to Car by Liana Ritti, Ivan Ochoa, Olivia Young, Warrior Con by Kallie Vanadia, Ray Copeland, The Play that Goes Wrong by Milo Foy
• Demonstrations - How to Make Colorful Deviled Eggs by Olivia Young, How to Make Pavlova by Karina Ramirez, How to Make Filipino Eggrolls by Mikko Espino and Danielle Escobar
• PSA - Train Safety by Fred Vid
• Talk Shows - Bear Down Media by Ivan Ochoa, Sami Alam, Orange Soda Podcast by Ayden Collazo, Josh Villacis

A Program on the Rise

What stands out most is not just the number of awards, but the range of categories represented - news, documentary, PSA, music video, and talk show. This speaks to a program that is growing in both skill and ambition.

Students are clearly pushing themselves to tell stronger stories, refine their craft, and support one another in the process. That kind of environment doesn’t just produce awards - it builds creators who are ready for what comes next.

These recognitions are well earned and reflect months of dedication, collaboration, and creative risk-taking. The work continues to raise expectations and expand what’s possible for student filmmakers at Maine West.

We are so proud of all of the Maine West filmmakers acknowledged!

Guitar Rock Concert 2026 #207Now #guitar

The Guitar Rock Concert offered the audience a performance full of energy, focus, and a clear sense of growth from every performer. From the opening chord to the final piece, students demonstrated not only strong musical skills, but also confidence and a willingness to take creative risks.

Throughout the performance, it was exciting to see students take ownership of the music—whether through tight ensemble playing, expressive solos, or thoughtful interpretation of each piece. The variety of styles showcased the range of what students are learning, and highlighted their ability to collaborate while still bringing their own musical voice to the stage.

What stood out most was the sense of community within the group and within the audience. Students supported one another throughout the performance, creating an environment where everyone could succeed and contribute meaningfully. That kind of connection is what allows programs like this to continue to grow and improve each year.

Thank you to our students for their hard work and dedication, and to our families and community for your continued support. This performance was a great example of what’s possible when students are challenged, supported, and given the opportunity to create something meaningful together.

More pictures from the concert can be found HERE.

Masterworks Orchestra Concert #207Now #orchestra @mainewestfab @mworchestras

 

The Masterworks Orchestra concert on April 30th closed out the year with a strong and expressive final performance, marking the culmination of months of focused work and meaningful growth across the ensemble.

From start to finish, students performed with confidence, precision, and a clear commitment to the music. It was especially powerful to see how they supported one another on stage—playing as a unified ensemble while still bringing individual artistry to each piece.

The evening also included a special moment to honor our seniors, recognizing their contributions and the lasting impact they’ve had on the program.

More pictures from the performance can be found HERE.

The concert program can be found HERE.

Thank you to WMTH for livestreaming last night's concert! The livestream of the concert can be enjoyed below:

Devin Renteria Performs with Honors Mariachi Ensemble #207Now #ILMEA #mariachi @mainewestfab

 

We are proud to celebrate Devin Renteria, one of our talented student musicians who was selected to perform in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Mariachi Festival Honors Ensemble! This is an outstanding achievement that reflects both musical excellence and a deep commitment to the art form.

Devin represented Maine West as a guitarrón player, providing the essential rhythmic and harmonic foundation that drives the mariachi ensemble. The guitarrón is a demanding and highly specialized instrument, and earning a place in this honors group speaks to a high level of skill, musicianship, and dedication.

The ILMEA Mariachi Festival brings together some of the top student musicians and mariachi ensembles from across the region for an intensive rehearsal experience culminating in a final performance. It’s an incredible opportunity for students to grow, collaborate, and perform at a high level alongside peers who share their passion.

We are thrilled to see our students engaging in meaningful musical experiences like this and continuing to raise the bar for excellence in the arts!

Maine West Filmmakers Recognized at Screentest Student Fest Film Festival #207Now #studentfilmmakers @wmth_west @mainewestfab

 

Maine West student filmmakers had an exciting night of recognition at the Screentest Student Film Festival, held April 10 at the AI Prairie Center for the Arts.

Out of more than 100 submissions, only 11 films were selected for screening—and two of them were created by Maine West students. This level of recognition speaks to the creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling our students are developing through their work.

Liv Young presented her documentary, Not the Way I Imagined, while George Perez, Jonathan Liakopolous, and Philip Simpson shared their documentary, Carlos Kutz. Each film offered a unique and thoughtful perspective, highlighting the power of student voice through film.

Both documentaries are available to view on the Maine West WMTH YouTube page, allowing the broader community to experience and celebrate this work. Please enjoy them below:

In addition to having her film selected, Liv Young was awarded the $1,000 Rob Pileckes Film and Theater Scholarship. She will continue her studies in film next year at Indiana University—an exciting next step in what is already a promising journey.

This recognition is a strong reflection of the meaningful work happening in our film program and the ways students are being challenged to tell impactful stories.

Opening Night: The Outsiders Takes the Stage at Maine West #207Now #theatre @mainewestfab @mainewestdrama

 

Tonight, the curtain rose on Maine West’s spring play, The Outsiders, and what a powerful opening it was.

From the very first moment, the cast drew the audience into the world of Ponyboy, Johnny, and the Greasers, bringing to life a story that continues to resonate across generations. Set against the tension between the Greasers and Socs, the production captures both the intensity and humanity at the heart of this coming-of-age story.

What stood out most on opening night was the commitment of the entire company. The performances were grounded, honest, and emotionally connected. Students navigated complex characters and difficult themes with maturity, reminding us that this story is not just about conflict - but about identity, belonging, and the choices we make.

Behind the scenes, the technical elements elevated the storytelling in meaningful ways. From the gritty, immersive set design to the impactful lighting and sound, every detail worked together to support the narrative and create a compelling theatrical experience.

This production is a great example of what happens when students are challenged with meaningful material and supported by a dedicated team of educators and designers. The result is not only a strong performance, but an experience that pushes students to grow as artists and collaborators.

The Outsiders continues this weekend in the Maine West Auditorium, with performances running April 23–25 at 7:00 p.m. Get your tickets in advance at mwfinearts.ludus.com.

If opening night is any indication, audiences are in for something special. Stay gold.

Thank you to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters volunteers for helping with ticket scanning and concessions!

Many more pictures can be found HERE.

The program can be found HERE.