Monthly Archives: April 2015

Lyme-Old Lyme High School Announces Two Students as 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Candidates

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Eric Pan and Kristiana Olson, graduating seniors at Lyme-Old Lyme High School, have been named two of more than 3,900 candidates in the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.4 million students expected to graduate from U.S high schools in the year 2015.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 51st year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

Over 3,900 candidates were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. In addition, each Chief State School Officer (CSSO) was invited to nominate five male and five female candidates, based on their outstanding scholarship, residing in the CSSO’s jurisdiction. Further consideration is based on students’ essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations, and school transcripts. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 560 semi-finalists in early April.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will make final selection of the Scholars. They will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. students living abroad; 15 students at-large; and up to 20 students from the creative and performing arts. The U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities.

Eric is the son of Gonghua Pan and Wen He and Kristiana is the daughter of Matt and Cynthia Olson.

For more information about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, parents and students can call the U.S. Presidential Scholars Office at (319) 688-4345 or send an email to PSP@act.org.

Musical Masterworks Present The Asylum Quartet in Free Concert Tonight

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The Asylum Quartet will perform at LOL High School Tuesday.

The Asylum Quartet will perform at LOL High School Tuesday.

Musical Masterworks present The Asylum Quartet in a free concert at Lyme–Old Lyme High School this evening at 7:30 p.m.  Graduates of the Hartt School of Music and winners of the 2014 International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition, the Asylum Quartet plays everything from lush classical works to indie rock, world music, and klezmer.

The quartet received the Grand Prize in the 2014 International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in Boston, Mass., becoming the first saxophone quartet to receive this honor.

This is a presentation of the Musical Masterworks outreach program.  The concert is open to all and no tickets are required.

Visit www.asylumquartet.com or www.musicalmasterworks.org for more information.

Ecumenical Service Welcomes Easter at Sunrise This Morning

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The sun breaks across the eastern horizon from Griswold Point early this morning. Photo by Emily Fisher.

The sun breaks across the eastern horizon from Griswold Point. Photo by Emily Fisher (2014).

Happy Easter!  Happy Passover!

The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme hosts an ecumenical sunrise service this morning, Easter Sunday, at 6:30 a.m. on Griswold Point.

All are welcome.

The church is also holding services at 9 and 11 a.m. in the Meeting House at the intersection of Ferry Rd. and Lyme St.

Brett Elliott Appointed New Executive Director at ‘The Kate’

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Brett Elliott

Brett Elliott

On Thursday, the Board of Directors of the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (“The Kate”) announced the appointment of Brett Elliott as Executive Director.

Elliott served as ‘The Kate’s’ Interim Director since founding Executive Director Chuck Still announced his departure in December.

Sonny Whelen, President of the Board of Trustees, stated, “We couldn’t be happier having Brett join us as our next Executive Director.  In his position as interim director, Brett has shown us that he has all of the skills and leadership qualities to bring the Kate forward as we continue to expand our role in the community.  This is a very exciting time for all of us”.

Starting in 2012, Elliott spent two years in Chicago where he received his MFA in Arts Leadership from DePaul University, a joint program with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  Elliott produced several projects for Chicago Shakespeare including the world premiere of “Since I Suppose”, a technology driven, live interactive performance developed by Australia’s one step at a time like this. Elliott also spent a brief period in the finance and operations department at Broadway in Chicago.

Elliott is no stranger to Eastern Connecticut or the Kate.  He worked at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center from 2009-2012.   He then found his way to ‘The Kate’ through lighting and production work.

Holding a BA in Theater from Saginaw Valley State University, Elliott is a proud product of the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival, an organization, which gave him his start.

“After six years, there is no doubt about the quality, quantity, and variety of entertainment at ‘The Kate’; it truly is a cultural gem on the shoreline,” Elliott stated.  “I am very proud to not only be back at ‘The Kate,’ but to lead this organization at such a vibrant and exciting time.  I look forward to getting to know those in the community, as well as the thousands of patrons that come to the Kate each year,” Elliott concluded.

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, ‘The Kate,’ is a non-profit performing arts organization located in the historic theatre/town hall on Main Street in Old Saybrook. Originally opened in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ‘The Kate’ has been renovated with public funds from the town of Old Saybrook and donations raised by the Trustees of the Center.

It includes a 250-seat theatre and a small museum honoring Katharine Hepburn, Old Saybrook’s most celebrated resident. As befits an organization born of such a public/private partnership, programming is eclectic, offering something for all ages and income levels on the Connecticut shore and in the lower river valley.