Lake Highlands
Choirs - "News and Notes"
Lake
Highlands Freshman Center Patriotic Concert 2009
Kasey Wilson, director of choirs
at Lake Highlands Freshman Center, accepts the Silver Patrick
Henry Medallion for Patriotic Achievement from a
representative of the Military Order of the World Wars on
behalf of the LHFC choirs. The award, presented by Dallas
chapter member Lt. Col. King Moss, U.S. Army and a Vietnam War
veteran, was presented at the end of the choirs' annual
Patriotic Concert, held Thursday evening at the Lake Highlands
High School auditorium. As part of the concert, the young
singers performed a medley of the anthems of the U.S. military
branches. Veterans and active duty members in the audience were
invited to come to the front of the auditorium to be honored as
their anthem was sung. In all, about 40 members were
recognized. Lt. Col. Moss, upon presenting the award,
commended the LHFC choirs "for their outstanding contributions
to maintaining the spirit and ideals of the military forces who
sacrifice so much to maintain our freedoms and the American way
of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The yearly
patriotic Salute to America concerts that honor our nation
veterans are an inspiration to all who have served in our U.S.
Armed Forces. On behalf of the veterans in our
community, we commend you for your dedication and devotion to
the military and to our great country. It is we who salute you
for your magnificent concerts and your commitment to the
principles on which our nation has been founded."
Hearing Their Stories First-Hand
John Crocker, a Korean War vet; John Hayes, a Vietnam War
vet; Walt Capps, a Vietnam War vet; and Herb Sheaner, a WW II
vet, spoke to the LHFC choirs recently as they prepared for the
annual LHFC Patriotic Concert. The men, all members of the
Dallas Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, told the
ninth-graders about their military experiences, why they served
in the military and of their love and respect for the United
States. The message they stressed to students is that Freedom is
not free. Sheaner, who was a prisoner of war during World War
II, told students about his harrowing experiences.
Important message from our Director,
Mr. Michael O'Hern
Something has happened in the Lake Highlands Area Choirs that
has never happened before, at least in my 27 year tenure. All 15
of our choirs (LHJH, FMJH, LHFC, and LHHS) received sweepstakes
awards at UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. In a TAKS
driven world, we are all exemplary! There are not many areas in
the state that can boast such an accomplishment. This is a
testament to the caliber of students we teach and the SUPERIOR
instruction they get from our choral staff. In addition, the
support we get from our administrators for our Vertical Teaming
and our amazing parental support allows us to work together for
musical excellence. This is truly “something to write home
about!”
Michael O’Hern
Director, Lake Highlands High School Choirs
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