1.30.2025

Scholarship Opportunities for Maine West Fine Art Students #207Now #scholarships @mainewestfab

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 MW Fine Arts Boosters scholarships will be awarded at the Senior Awards Night on May 13, 2025.


MAINE WEST FINE ARTS BOOSTERS SCHOLARSHIPS - Due March 21, 2025

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, West Side Dance Co., 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 21, 2025.  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 1, 2025

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.


ICONIC LEGACY DANCE SCHOLARSHIP - Due March 31, 2025
The ICONIC Legacy Scholarship was established in 2022 by the Wastyn Family. To honor the senior dancers in the class of 2020, the ICONIC Legacy Scholarship is committed to helping the next dancer in line. The Scholarship supports a 4th year graduating West Side Dance Company member who will be going to a 2- or 4-year college or trade program, and who embodies the spirit that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain!

The third annual Scholarship will be awarded this year to a 2025 West Side Dance Company 4th year member. The application will be open until 3/31/25. Fourth year West Side Dance Company members are invited to apply by clicking this link: https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/2025IconicLegacy

Questions? Please contact IconicLegacyScholarship@gmail.com 


INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIPS - Open February 1, 2025

The Educational Theatre Foundation, an organization related to the International Thespian Organization, of which many Maine West Drama students are members, sponsors a number of drama-related scholarships each year. For information about the scholarships offered by this organization this year, please go to: https://foundation.schooltheatre.org/scholarships/ 


SPEECH SCHOLARSHIPS - Various Deadlines

There are a number of speech-specific scholarship offered by colleges and universities around the country. If you are a senior Speech Team member, please see THIS LIST curated by the National Speech and Debate Association for speech scholarships!


1.09.2025

District 62 & Maine West Band Programs Collaborate at the 2025 Band Festival #207Now #band @mainewestband @d62schools @mainewestfab

 

This morning, we had the pleasure of collaborating with 115 band students from District 62 at the annual D62/MW Band Festival! It was a fantastic celebration of music and collaboration, bringing together our high school and middle school band programs to connect, learn from each other, and showcase their talents in a supportive and inspiring environment. 

Events like these not only highlight the incredible work of our band directors but also foster a strong sense of community and excitement for the arts across all grades.

Thank you so the District 62 Band Directors - Ms. Legutki, Ms. Todd and Mr. Pisello - for your collaboration on this wonderful event!

Thank you to Maine West Band Director, Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr for your organization and leadership of today's festival!

More pictures from today's festival can be found HERE.

12.12.2024

Dimensions "Perspectives" Concert #207Now #musiceducation @mainewestband @mworchestras @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

What an unforgettable evening at Dimensions 2024: Perspectives! Our students from band, choir, orchestra, and music production delivered performances that showcased their hard work, creativity, and passion.

The theme of "Perspectives" came to life through their artistry, reminding us how music can open our minds to new ways of seeing and experiencing the world. From intricate harmonies to innovative compositions, every note reflected their dedication and collaboration. Students delivered powerful speeches that deeply connected to the theme, offering the audience meaningful perspectives to reflect on and inspiring new ways of thinking!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate these talented students. Their success is a testament to the power of the arts to inspire, connect, and transform. Bravo to all who performed—you’ve made your school and community proud!

HERE is the Dimensions Concert program.

HERE is a folder full of pictures.

A big thanks to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters for supporting a pizza dinner for every student and staff member involved in the Dimensions Concert!

12.11.2024

Dimensions "Perspectives" Art Reception #207Now #art @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2

Tonight, the Maine West lobby transformed into a bustling showcase and celebration of  student creativity, featuring works from ceramics, design, photography, drawing, painting, and digital art programs. The "Dimensions: Perspectives" exhibit invited visitors to explore the rich tapestry of artistic expression across multiple mediums and from different perspectives.

Thank you to the many family, friends and fans of our visual art students for attending tonight's reception and helping us celebrate the incredible achievements of the student artists at West!

Thank you to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters for providing tonight's reception sweets and refreshments!

More pictures of the student work in the Dimensions: Perspectives exhibit can be found HERE.












12.09.2024

Maine West Speech Team Finds Success at the Espresso and the UltiMUTT Dog Show Tournaments! #207Now #speech #forensics @mwspeechteam @mainewestfab

 

The Maine West Speech Team found success this weekend at two tournaments! 

The Varsity Speech Team participated in the Espresso Tournament at Elk Grove High School...


...where Elisha made it to the Finals and placed 5th in Informative Speaking!

Our JV Speech Team went to the UltiMUTT Dog Show at John Hersey High School...

...where Jimena placed 5th in Informative Speaking, Elisa placed 1st in Poetry and Sam placed 3rd in Original Comedy!

Congratulations to the Maine West Speech Team!!!

12.06.2024

Maine West's Irene Han Earns All-State Honors in Music! #207Now #Excellence #allstate #musiceducation #IMEC2025 @ILMEA @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

We recently learned that Maine West singer, Irene Han, has earned All-State Honors! She will be representing Maine West at the state-level event called the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC), which will be held in the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois January 29th-February 1st, 2025. 

Irene will perform as a soprano II singer with the All-State Chorus. Earning a placement in the IMEC All-State conference distinguishes Irene as one of the best music students in the state of Illinois, and is a testament to years of hard work and dedication as a  musician. The entire Maine West community is incredibly proud of Irene!



12.03.2024

Improv Warriors Showcase - An Hour of Laughs Unscripted! #207Now #improv @mainewestdrama @mainewestfab

 

Tonight, the Improv Warriors, a student-led improv troupe within the Maine West Drama Club performed their winter showcase, which had the audience in stiches! The students delivered a number of skits and improv games that showed off their ability to think quickly and creatively on their feet!

Congratulations to all of the students who participated tonight!

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