Strolling Strings pay their way

Libertyville Elementary District 70 Superintendent Mark R. Friedman came home form the international conference with a big smile and a bag full of cash - exactly $1,561.

"I never expected this," said the district leader, looking pleased with the unanticipated result of having a middle school group perform at a conference where he was a guest speaker.

The money was the result of educators across the world dipping into their pockets to tip the Highland Middle School Strolling Strings student group that performed during dinner.

The adventure began when Friedman agreed to give the welcoming speech at a recent Chicago area conference of the 150,000-member Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honor society of women educators. Friedman is a friend with the group's international president, Barbara Day. District 70 society member Sylvia Olson assisted Day during the conference and suggested Highland's Strolling Strings perform during the banquet dinner.

Friedman contacted orchestra teacher Carol Janossy and with the help of fellow teacher Emily Walters, they began tracking down students and arranging practices.

"How could we pass up this opportunity?" Friedman said, pointing out it would be the group's first time performing before an international crowd. "And we are so proud of our Strolling Strings. They are amazing."

The students, all hand selected and known for their showmanship, performed during dinner.

"People were enthralled with our students," Friedman said. "They came up to me, as if they were my children, and told me how well they did and how impressed they were. I have to tell you, I was very proud of these kids. They did an outstanding job."

At one point, an educator brought up a breadbasket full of dollar bills, presented it to Friedman and told him her table had taken up an unsolicited collection for the children. Friedman said it was a nice gesture, but unnecessary. But Day liked the idea and suggested it to the entire group of about 1,700.

That's when the money poured in and they handed bag full of cash to Friedman to take home.

"The money will be used for a Strolling String outing, maybe they will go to Ravinia for an outdoor concert."

Board member Laura Beltchenko said most groups performing at such conferences are high school students. "So for a group of middle school students to perform, it is very prestigious," she said.