Annual Sister Justina Bieganek Music Scholarship Awarded
We are proud to announce the Quillo family as the recipients of the Sister Justina Bieganek Music Scholarship. The scholarship was established by family members, friends, and fans of Sister Justina in honor of her 75th anniversary as a Franciscan Sister in 2004. Sister Justina has worked at St. Francis Music Center since its beginnings in 1979. She continues to work at the Music Center everyday and is well loved by students and faculty.
The Quillo family began taking lessons at the Music Center in 2005. Nina Paqariy Quillo is 8 years old and has been playing the violin for three years. Nina enjoys history the most in school and her favorite activities are dance, drawing and violin. Maway John Quillo is 11 years old and in the sixth grade. He has played the cello for five years. Maway’s hobbies include art, soccer and football. Ch’aska is 13 and in the eighth grade. She has played the violin for eight years and piano for two years. She also sings in the Cantabile Girl’s Choir. Her favorite subjects in school are history, art, science and music. Nina, Maway and Ch’aska are all home schooled and participate in 4-H and Awana as well. Kori attends St. John Prep School. He has played the violin most of his life.
The Quillo family participates in the String Orchestras at the Music Center and also performs traditional Peruvian Music with their father. They have won several fiddling competitions as well. Their parents are Ronál (Lalo) and Elizabeth Quillo of Long Prairie.
Guy Christiansen Music Scholarship Awarded
We are proud to announce that Joe Briggs was awarded the 2007-2008 Guy Christiansen Music Scholarship. The recipient of the scholarship is chosen by teacher recommendation and the scholarship committee.
Joe Briggs is a cello student at the Music Center and is a senior at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School. Joe’s favorite subjects in school are English and 3D Art. When not playing in the two string orchestras at the Music Center, Joe volunteers his time on a 600-acre organic farm and garden. During the summer months he serves as an intern at a center in Boston, Massachusetts, for refugees and victims of war from places such as Iraq, Sudan, Sarajevo and the Congo, giving him a broader perspective on America and how we are viewed around the world. Joe also enjoys traveling – including a trip through the Swiss Alps with high school exchange students and canoeing through the canyon lands in Utah. He also spends time with family and friends, and participates in mountain biking and downhill skiing.
Joe plans to attend Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and major in sociology. In receiving the award, Joe thanked Celo V’ec, his cello instructor, for being a great teacher and inspiration. He also thanked his parents, Bill and Laura Briggs, “whose great encouragement and enthusiasm has made my musical career possible, never batting an eye at the 7,000 miles I drive each year for music lessons and orchestra.”
Lyseng Music Scholarship Awarded
In 2004, Vicki and Greg Spofford established a scholarship at St. Francis Music Center in honor of Vicki’s parents, Arley and Naomi Lyseng. Both of the Lyseng’s were lifetime music educators, touching the lives of thousands of children. So to continue the legacy, the Spofford family made a donation to establish this annual scholarship.
This year’s recipient is Jordan Ebnet, a music therapy student at St. Francis Music Center. Jordan is in the Mid-State Education District Transition Program at Royalton for his final year. As part of this program Jordan is mentored at several businesses in Royalton as well.
Jordan has been in music therapy for several years. He especially likes playing the drums and other rhythm instruments. His instructor is Pat Boser. Jordan also loves to listen to music all the time. He loves playing basketball, playing with his dog “Bo”, riding horses (through the Rising Stars Equitation Program), riding ATV’s, and going to concerts. Jordan also participates in Special Olympics.
Jordan was chosen for this award because of his wholehearted participation in his music and for his warm heart, his kindness and his joy in life. In receiving this award the Ebnet family wishes to thank the Spofford family and the Music Center staff.
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