3.07.2023

Bowls for Change: A Benefit Dinner in Honor of Women's History Month #207Now #charity #ittakesavillage @mainewestfab @mainewestart @maine.west.cte @mwactivities

In honor of Women's History Month, the Maine West Fine Arts Department (Ceramics & Design students), Career and Technical Education Department (Culinary students), the National Art Honors Society and the Women's Empowerment Club are joining forces to present BOWLS FOR CHANGE, a benefit dinner that will raise funds for Wings and the MALALA Fund

The dinner will be Thursday, March 16th from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the Upper Commons of Maine West High School.

(This is the same night as the Choir Concert, so if you are going to the concert, consider having dinner with us!)

Tickets to the dinner are $16 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the image above or by CLICKING HERE

Each ticket will buy you a handmade ceramic bowl (made by West art students) and a pasta dinner (made by West culinary students). Tickets are limited, and need to be purchased in advance.

Come out to have a delicious meal in a beautiful bowl, and support two great causes!




Scholarship Opportunities for Fine Arts Students! #207Now #scholarships @mainewestfab @mainewestband @mworchestras @mainewestchoir @wmth_west @mainewestdrama @mainewestart @mainewesttechcrew @westsidedanceco

There are a number of scholarship opportunities available to graduating seniors who have been involved in Fine Arts programs at Maine West. Please see the below scholarship opportunities. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your Fine Arts teacher or Ms. Mullen, Fine Arts Department Chair. You are encouraged to submit application materials for consideration in advance of the due dates.

The scholarships will be awarded at the Senior Awards Night on May 16, 2023.


MAINE WEST FINE ARTS BOOSTERS SCHOLARSHIPS - Due March 24, 2023


Up to 5 scholarships of $400 each are awarded to college-bound seniors who have been active participants in one or more of the Maine West High School fine arts programs: Band, Choir, Orchestra, Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Speech and Broadcasting.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
All applicants for scholarships awarded by the Fine Arts Boosters must:
1) Have a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.0 or higher through the end of the fall semester senior year.
2) Be active in the Maine West Fine Arts programs for a minimum of 2 years.
3) Complete the FAB scholarship online application in its entirety including the transcript copy by submission deadline.  
4) Provide intention of enrollment to a college or university.  Since this is before the commitment date for most universities, the specific school is not required.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 24, 2023.  Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  Late submissions will not be accepted.

HERE is a link to the scholarship application. (Please note, you must use a non-district email address to complete this form.)

If you have any questions, please email them to: MaineWestFineArts@gmail.com
 
Award decisions are made at the sole discretion of the Fine Arts Boosters Scholarship Committee.

SAMANTHA SCHOLARSHIP - Due April 7, 2023

The Samantha Scholarship is a scholarship for high school seniors that honors Samantha Spano, a young woman who lost her life to suicide. Samantha was very artistic and loved painting, drawing and music. This scholarship seeks students who exemplify outstanding character and asks for a submission in some art form (drawing, painting, a collage, poetry, song, photography, etc) to answer the question: choose your favorite song and explain why it has a special meaning to you. 
For the full application and requirements, go to https://www.forsamantha.org/scholarship-information.

DES PLAINES HISTORY CENTER - SCHOLARSHIP FOR EXTRAORDINARY MERIT IN FINE ARTS - Due April 8, 2023

Award: One $500.00 unrestricted scholarship and certificate to be given to the top applicant. 

Applicant Qualifications: 
  • Must be a graduating senior from Maine West High School. 
  • Must demonstrate “extraordinary merit” in a fine arts field (as defined by the content makeup  of the Fine Arts Department at Maine West). Merit may be demonstrable through extraordinary  achievement and/or potential in a fine arts field. 
  • By applying, the applicant commits to provide a brief biography and photograph to be published  in the Des Plaines History Center’s newsletter and social media. 
  • There are no GPA or other specific qualifications for this award. 
Application Guidelines: 
  • Student applicants must write a brief letter (no more than 300 words) regarding their interest,  achievement, and/or potential in a fine arts field. The student must submit this as a Word  document or PDF via email to scholarships@desplaineshistory.org
  • Student applicants must attain one brief recommendation (no more than 300 words) from a Fine  Arts teacher at Maine West that describes extraordinary achievement and/or extraordinary  potential in a fine arts field. Rather than list achievements, please express to us the dedication,  talent, “spark,” or “x-factor” that you see. The teacher must submit this as a Word document or  PDF via email to scholarships@desplaineshistory.org
  • All application materials must be received by 11:59PM on April 8. No variances granted.
  • Applicants may apply for either the social sciences or the fine arts scholarship, not both. 
Adjudication: 
  • The staff of the Des Plaines History Center will receive and judge the applications. 
  • We will consider:
    • Clarity in the applicant’s writing 
    • Ability of the applicant to express achievement and/or potential in a fine arts field
    • The degree to which a teacher expresses achievement and/or potential of the student

JOEL DAUBE MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP - Due April 21, 2023

The Joel Daube Memorial Music Scholarship is given in memoriam of Joel Daube, a Maine West student who made a tremendous impact in the lives of his family, peers and teachers. This scholarship is to be conferred on a graduating senior(s) involved in the music programs in the Maine West Fine Arts Department. The scholarship is to be awarded to a student who excels in music performance and demonstrates exemplary interpersonal, leadership, and character standards. This scholarship fund provides 3 senior scholarships, each $500, to Fine Arts students through 2023. 

HERE is a link to the scholarship application.

In addition to awarding this scholarship, we are looking for contributions to this scholarship fund. If you are interested in making a contribution in memory/honor of Joel Daube, please see this contribution form for more information.

3.01.2023

Choraliers Perform at Mayor Goczkowski's Address to Business #207Now #community #musiceducation @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab @mwactivities @mwhs207

 

On Wednesday, March 1st, the Choraliers performed for Des Plaines Mayor Goczkowski's address to business event at the Des Plaines Theatre. Thanks to the Choraliers and to Mr. Jim Schiffer for giving back to the community through your music! Thanks to the City of Des Plaines and to the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce for engaging the Maine West Fine Arts programs in your events! 



2.28.2023

Congratulations Bands! Winter Band Concert #207Now #musiceducation @mainewestband @mainewestfab

Congratulations to the members of the Concert and Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Techniques on their successful performance at the Winter Band Concert!

A highlight of the concert was hearing senior flautist, Aurelia Lawson, perform an arrangement for flute of Massenet's Meditation from "Thais." Bravo, Aurelia! You performed beautifully!

Congratulations to Ms. Alex Widomska, our band student teacher, on conducting in her first Maine West concert! Thank you for all of the work you are doing with music students this semester!

If you were unable to come to tonight's concert, a stream from tonight's concert can be viewed on the WMTH YouTube Channel HERE

The program from tonight's concert can be viewed HERE.

More pictures from tonight's concert can be viewed HERE

2.27.2023

Speech Team Awards and End of Season Celebration #207Now #speech #forensics

 

On Thursday, February 23rd, the Maine West Speech Team celebrated the conclusion of a successful season at their Speech Team Awards Celebration. This year's team participated in a number of competitions, even placing several times!

Congratulations to the Maine West Speech Team on a successful 2022-2023 season! 

Thank you to head coach, Mr. Rick Rosenberg, and assistant coach, Ms. Gizelle Alverio, for your leadership of the Speech Team!


2.23.2023

Spotlight Art Exhibit 2023 #207Now #arteducation #creativityfuelsthefuture @mainewestart


On Wednesday, February 22nd, Maine West student artists had their work on display for family and friends in a one-night-only pop-up art show and reception, the Spotlight Art Exhibit. This beautifully curated show filled the new C-Wing art suite, and the space bustling with friends and family who attended to support our student artists! 

Congratulations to all of the student artists who had work in this year's Spotlight Art Exhibit! A big thanks to the art team at Maine West, Mr. Rick Cammarata, Ms. Felicia Lahart, Ms. Natalya Kljajic, and Ms. Melissa Lloyd for organizing such a wonderful event celebrating student achievement in the visual arts!

More pictures from the 2023 Spotlight Art Exhibit can be found HERE




2.16.2023

Opening Night of Young Frankenstein a Success! #207Now #musical @mainewestdrama @mainewesttechcrew @mainewestband @mworchestras @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab @mwactivities

The Maine West Fine Arts Department's production of the Mel Brooks' musical, Young Frankenstein, premiered tonight, performing for a sizable and appreciative audience! The cast, crew and pit orchestra all performed with incredible energy, and the audience was roaring with laughter at the endless comedy!

Congratulations to the over 100 students involved in Young Frankenstein! Congratulations, as well, to director, David Harmon, pit orchestra director, Bernie Gerstmayr, vocal director, James Schiffer, choreographer, Isabel Ramirez, technical director, Peter Mc Manus, costume designer, Ashley Benson, costume assistant, Desi Rae Stricker, and producer, Daniella Valdez for all of your work on this production!  

More pictures from tonight's show can be found HERE.

The program for this production can be found HERE.

Thank you to the many people who volunteered their time with the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters tonight to help make tonight's show happen! 

Thank you to Rebecca Orr and the students in WMTH for capturing footage of tonight's show!