Education notebook: Libby Center students chosen for statewide musical program

The Washington Music Educators Association has selected three students from Libby Center, of Spokane Public Schools, to participate in the Junior All-State bands, choirs and orchestra. Of the 1,659 students who auditioned, 570 were selected as participants.

Libby Center students selected are Thomas Stenzel on clarinet, Grace Ko on cello and Justin Park on viola.

The WMEA Junior All-State groups, composed of fifth- through eighth-grade students from across Washington state, will meet Feb. 16 in Vancouver to rehearse under the direction of selected music educators and present a concert that afternoon for a gala event.

Lakeside High student makes

All Northwest Wind Symphony

Lakeside High School student Hope Noranbrock has been accepted to the National Association for Music Education’s All Northwest Wind Symphony performance group. Noranbrock was selected to play oboe in the All Northwest Wind Symphony group. More than 4,370 students from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming auditioned to participate.

About 1,000 selected student musicians will meet in Portland from Feb. 14-17 to rehearse and later perform in the culminating gala event, which is managed by the Washington Music Educators Association.

Innovation High a finalist

in Samsung contest

Innovation High School, a charter school in Spokane, is one of 250 state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. The contest presents students with the opportunity to solve real-world issues affecting their local community using STEM skills learned in the classroom. Each school submits a proposal for a solution to an issue of their choosing, and they are evaluated on their creativity and overall strategy.

All 250 teachers representing their selected classrooms will receive one Samsung tablet for their students. Additional prizes for those that advance in the competition include Samsung technology packages of varying values. Forty state finalists will receive the $20,000 package, seven national finalists will receive the $50,000 package and the three national winners will each receive a $100,000 package.