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Weston Music Society Announces Scholarship Winners
The Weston Music Society presented 10 scholarships to graduates from Cypress Bay and Western High Schools who will be continuing their music studies in college.
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For many years, the Weston Music Society has awarded these scholarships. In 2018, they created a Matching Scholarship category in which they match the sponsor’s donation. This created the opportunity to award between eight and ten scholarships yearly. President Gina Catone noted, “The Matching Scholarship category is a testament to the support of our sponsors who have been consistently generous with this program”.
The nomination process asks the two schools to submit students eligible for this scholarship. We are especially grateful to Cypress Bay - Brett Dawson, Music Band Director and Tina Gill, Assistant Choral Director – and Western High – Johnnie Tracey, Music Band Director, Oliver Black, Drama Teacher and Brandon Monse, Performing Arts Department Chair and Chorus Teacher. Their cooperation and dedication made it happen in 2021.
This year, because of the pandemic, there were special challenges because everything was done virtually. The teachers selected their nominees and sent questionnaires to them. The requests included background information and a short video presentation. The efforts of these dedicated teachers on behalf of their deserving applicants produced the talented recipient list below.
Scholarship Committee Chair Kim Schnitzius and Co-Chair Stephanie Bescherelle coordinated with the schools. Kim, who made the award presentations at the Commission meeting, said, “The WMS has been very fortunate to meet all these very talented student performers and we are always excited to follow their career paths. We often hear from them and they return to work with us”. For example, Jose Veliz, 2015 scholarship recipient, has played the piano on all of our FaceBook live concerts and taught a virtual class to the students at Everglades Elementary. Sebastian Scharovsky, 2020 award recipient, performed a saxophone solo for our Weston Town Center event in May 2021. This year, a special scholarship from the Rotary Club of Weston, in cooperation with the Weston Music Society, was awarded in memory of Past President Roger Lander.
Gina concluded by saying, “We are so happy to recognize the accomplishments of our young performers in the arts. We are pleased that the focus for schools is now STEAM. Adding the Arts to STEM, especially music, aids students in analysis, creativity, and critical thinking. Our In-Schools Program and our High School Scholarship Program support the arts in education and complete two facets of our mission”.
CYPRESS BAY HIGH SCHOOL
Legend: (Student, Instrument, College, Major/Minor/ Performing, Sponsor) ▸ Sebastian Christanchwo- alto sax/piano, Florida Atlantic University, commercial music, Dr. & Mrs. Denis Trupkin ▸ Haley Fleischman – mezzo soprano, Florida State University College of
Music, music education, Mr. & Mrs.
Paul Koenig ▸ Andrea Larez – alto, Northeastern University, major in music industry, minor in songwriting, Mr. & Mrs. Lou Marett ▸ Maxx Nunn – guitar and percussion, Berklee College of Music, contemporary music, Ms. Sheri Daniels
WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL
▸Toby Alridge – percussion, Marine Corps, Marine Band, Roger Lander ▸ Shelby Baker – euphonium, Florida Southern College, minor in music,
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Messa ▸ Alec Carillo – tenor/alto sax, Florida State University, music composition,
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Messa ▸ Kathryn Daher – alto, University of Central Florida, choir, Mr. & Mrs.
Richard Stark ▸ Janessa Machado – mezzo soprano, Rider University, musical theater,
Dr. & Mrs. Don Siegendorf ▸ Luis Nunez – trombone/piano, FSU, music minor, Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Pomerantz
SAGEMONT HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP
▸Saxon Kennedy – electric guitar, Berklee School of Music, music performance,
Rotary Club of Weston.
