Johnsburg student wins ISU anniversary competition

Dakota Pawlicki of Johnsburg, a senior music education major at Illinois State University is the solo winner of the university's 150th anniversary performance competition, and will perform at ISU's Sesquicentennial Gala Celebration on Saturday.

The gala "red-tie" dinner will be a highlight of the year-long celebration and will conclude the homecoming day activities.

The gala will begin at 7 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of Bone Student Center, and Pawlicki's tuba solo performance of Rachmaninoff's Vocalise Op. 34, No. 14, will be one of several musical offerings.

Pawlicki has been a featured soloist with the Brass Band of Central Illinois, a featured performer in ISU's Wind Symphony, and serves as president of the Normal (Ill.) Euphonium and Tuba Society.

He also is president of campus chapters of Urban Needs in Teacher Education, or UNITE, National Band Association and Golden Apple Scholars.

Pawlicki will donate one-fourth of his $500 award to a charity that helps undocumented students pursue their dreams and attend college.

"Most of these students were only one or two years old when their parents moved here from other countries without becoming citizens," he said.

"These students then go through the entire American education system and graduate high school, sometimes as valedictorians, and then are left without any help to receive higher education.

"Since they are not legal citizens, they cannot apply for FAFSA/state aid, and are not eligible for most scholarships," he said.

"This charity provides an essential gateway to deserving students who hold high standards for themselves, and without help, simply cannot achieve their dreams."

Pawlicki said he owes a large part of his success to both Patty Foltz, administrative clerk in psychology as well as an active pianist and accompanist on campus ("the best pianist on campus," Pawlicki said); and to Andy Rummel, his tuba teacher and mentor.