Shining examples of great good in Batavians
They kick, they jump, they dance with all their heart. They practice every day and they work hard.
You often see them at the football games and at the basketball games. Their innovative dances delight the crowds. They delighted the judges at state as well.
The Batavia High School Varsity Dance Team qualified to take all three of its dances to state this year. The team placed in the top ten for two of the dances and squeaked in with an 11th place in jazz.
"They were thrilled to get fifth overall in pom and ninth in hip hop," said Cindy Scimeca, a dance mom. "This the first time in a long time that the team has qualified in all three of its dance competitions."
The most exciting moment came when the team won the True Colors Sportsmanship Award. Teamdance Illinois only awards two of these prizes to the teams that show outstanding sportsmanship during the regional competition. Team Dance Illinois received feedback from parents and regional officials praising the character of the team.
"The kind of sportsmanship they displayed is the kind that we value most, the kind that comes from within and is offered without expectation of reward." wrote TeamDance Illinois.
In addition to a trophy the Batavia Varsity Dance team receives a "True Colors" corporate sponsorship. The company making the award to Batavia is Royal Hardware of Wauconda.
The Varsity Dance Team deserves our accolades. To be recognized for good character and sportsmanship is quite an honor.
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Emily Camras an eighth-grader at Rotolo Middle School, was recently selected as the winner of the Philharmonia Young Artist Concerto Award. She was a featured soloist at the Elgin Youth Symphony's recent concert playing Haydn's "Cello Concerto in C Major.
At 13 years of age, Emily Camras is already showing great promise as a musician. Emily began piano lessons at 5 and cello lessons at 10. She currently studies under the tutelage of Carol Hope, Batavia (piano), and Andrea LaFranzo, Warrenville (cello).
Emily performs regularly with the EYSO Philharmonia; the EYSO Chamber Music Program; the Rotolo Middle School Orchestra; and the Batavia Youth String Ensemble.
Emily also was recently selected through competitive auditions to participate in the IMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) District IX Junior High Music Festivals.
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I recently received a call from a member of the Batavia High School Key Club. She wanted to let me know that the members had surpassed their goal in raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Originally they had set a goal of $3000.. They raised $4,500. Of course with the winnings comes the fun. One of the teachers at the high school agreed to shave his head if they made it to their goal. The students in his class preferred a mohawk and he obliged. From what I understand that style didn't last too long and freshman English teacher Tom Demos has shaved his head completely.
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Young Meghan Hagemann is at it again. The young Rotolo Middle School student is amazing, having led fundraisers for special Olympics in the past. She and her family regularly volunteer at the Olympics as well. Now Meghan has gotten her uncle involved. She and Uncle Jim Hagemann recently painted a mural for the workers at the Valley Sheltered Workshop.
It's great to see so many bring honor to our community in all that they do.