parker music kids pic RLA 042017
Local News

District 161 honors Parker musicians, volleyball players

Talented musicians and volleyball players from Parker Junior High School were recently honored with certificates by the Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education.
 
During the April 10 school board meeting, the musicians were recognized for their participation in a recent festival produced by the Illinois Music Educators Association.

  Flossmoor District 161 recently honored students who
  competed in a regional music festival.
(Photo by
  R.L. Anderson/H-F Chronicle)
 

Talented musicians and volleyball players from Parker Junior High School were recently honored with certificates by the Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education.

 
During the April 10 school board meeting, the musicians were recognized for their participation in a recent festival produced by the Illinois Music Educators Association.
 
Chuck Torbett, who coordinates the District 161 orchestras, said the Parker students were among 750 young musicians from Cook, Will, Kendall and Grundy counties who auditioned to participate in groups at the festival.
 
“Approximately 350 students were then chosen to participate in the band, orchestra, chorus and jazz band festival,” Torbett explained.  “These students spent a day at Lincoln-Way Central High School rehearsing with a guest clinician culminating with a performance that afternoon.”
 
The students from Parker who participated in the festival included:
 
  • Concert Band: Leah Williams-McGee, 8th grade, clarinet
  • Orchestra: Sam Calhoon, 8th grade, bass; Mia Moore, 8th grade, viola; Liam Nelson, 6th grade, violin
  • Chorus: Janet Amuh and Audrey Simmons, 7th grade; Zora Shannon, 8th grade
  • Jazz Band: Sam Calhoon, 8th grade, bass
 
There have also been standout performers on the volleyball court.
 
The eighth grade girls volleyball squad finished the season with a 17-5 record and became the first team to qualify for the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournament two years in a row.
 
Coach Darryl Thompson said “they improved so much from last year to this year and they really wanted to make a return trip to state after qualifying in 7th grade.”
 
Thompson explained that the team started the year with a loss, and had a second defeat mid-season, to James Hart Junior High School of Homewood. Later, Parker defeated James Hart for the conference championship and again in the sectional to qualify for the IESA Tournament.
 
Players on the Parker squad include Nylah Everett, Faith Lee, Elanore Roberson, Jane Bachus, Jazzlyn Marks, Jackie Klupchak, Lauren Legardy, Raven Falls, Cindey Jones, Alexia Pugh, Abigail Koran, Katherine Nelson and Peyton Reich. Managers were Alivia Rose and Kassidy Porter.

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