Jazz tradition continues at UI this weekend
Think happy thoughts for the hoards of budding musicians from Kootenai County who are performing at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival this weekend.
The 39-year tradition brings thousands of students – elementary school through college – to the University of Idaho for adjudicated performances, workshops and concerts.
Among the students is Kayla Rising, a sophomore at Coeur d’Alene High School and member of the women’s choir who has been looking forward to the event all year.
“It’s trying to be the best out of the best,” Rising said. “You want to be recognized.”
For Becca Phelan, also a sophomore, the event has even deeper implications.
“It’s another way to show how important the fine arts are,” Phelan said. “It just shows this isn’t a waste of time.”
Junior Candace Hanson added: “And we work hard for what we want.”
This is Hanson’s first time at the festival, but Rising and Phelan are regulars. They won first place two years ago, when they were in eighth grade and are hoping for another coup.
At Post Falls, Heather Kopel is capping off her high school career with a fourth jazz pilgrimage to Moscow. Kopel, a senior, said she enjoys seeing other groups perform and learning from their strengths and weaknesses.
“It helps you become a better musician,” said Kopel, who plays bass and guitar for the band.
But her favorite part is her time in the spotlight.
“It’s fun to be up on stage.”
Contest highlights disabilities awareness
It’s time again for the annual Disabilities Awareness Writing Contest.
The Coeur d’Alene School District invites all K-12 students to research and write about a specific disability, with the hopes that both the writer and readers will gain a deeper understanding of disabilities and how they impact people’s lives.
Prizes will be awarded to winners from each grade level, and all entrants will receive public recognition for their efforts.
Entries should be no longer than 300 words and submitted by the student’s teacher to the district’s Department of Special Education. The deadline is March 10.
CdA High seniors need project mentors, judges
Coeur d’Alene High School is looking for people interested in being mentors or judges for seniors working on their senior projects.
A graduation requirement, the projects must incorporate two of the following areas: academia, community service, career or personal growth.
Mentors are needed to volunteer at least 15 hours, helping students by offering advice or allowing a student to shadow them at work or overseeing the student’s completion of a community service project.
For a shorter commitment, people can volunteer to be judges for the May 26 presentation of projects. A short training session and lunch will be provided that day.
If you’re interested, call the school at 667-4507.
U.S. senator needs page for summer session
U.S. Senator Larry Craig is seeking applications for a page. The chosen high school student will spend the summer delivering correspondence and legislative material to offices, carrying bills and amendments to senators’ desks, taking messages and other such tasks.
Students must be 16 or 17 years old on or before June 11, when the summer session begins.
For applications and more information, visit Craig’s Coeur d’Alene office on 610 Hubbard St., Suite 121, or visit http://craig.senate.gov.