The Laker Anchor
April
2015
The
Perfect
Palette
Music
Art
Drama
Dance
Laker Fine Arts
The Laker Anchor
April 2015
Page 2
Art surrounds our lives in many different ways. We see it, we hear it, we feel it, we experience it. We would not be who we are without it. Laker students are fortunate to
have so many different ways of expressing who they are through our fine arts program.
At Laker Elementary, we have daily art and music classes for all grades, along with a
fifth-grade band class. At Laker Secondary, we have band, drama, choir, dance, art,
digital media and a woodshop program. We even have a new strings group that recently
had its debut concert—and a standing ovation. There are other art-related opportunities
offered from time to time, such as an elementary hip-hop group and a woodworking
group. At a time when many schools are cutting art, Laker Arts are flourishing.
The Laker Anchor
April 2015
Page 3
Laker news tidbits
Don’t forget to cast your vote on the Laker technology bond May 5
at your local voting precinct (i.e. township hall). This bond would
continue to pay for the many technology tools our educators and
students use each school day, but at half the cost of the current technology millage. For more information, visit The Laker Wave News Blog at
epbplakerblog.weebly.com (accessible through our district website,
www.lakerschools.org). We also have a video blog featuring Superintendent Bob Smith and Technology Director Scott Miklovic talking about
this bond proposal. To view, go to www.lakerschools.org and click on
“Laker tech bond video blog” in the “Laker Links” section.
Lakers is responsible with your taxpayer dollars. Proof of this is the
fact that the district received a perfect score from Munetrix, a company that provides financial transparency data for schools and municipalities and provides financial reports to the public so taxpayers know
how money is being spent. Lakers is one of only 30 districts out of 500plus public schools and 300 charter schools in Michigan to receive a
perfect score. More information on this can be found on The Laker
Wave News Blog (epbplakerblog.weebly.com).
Upcoming events:

May 14, 6:30 p.m.—Laker Fine Arts program, LHS

April 30, 6:30 p.m.—Laker Drama presents Star Trip
1, Laker High auditorium

May 20— Laker Junior High awards

May 20, 6 p.m.—Laker FFA spring banquet, LHS

May 1—Half day of school

May 22—Half day of school

May 2 —Laker prom, Franklin Inn

May 25—No school, Memorial Day

May 4—Laker Elementary food drive begins

June 2, 2 p.m.—DK graduation, Laker El. gym

May 5, 1:30 p.m.—Laker Elementary grandparents
program, Laker El. Gymnasium

June 3, 2 p.m.– K graduation, Laker El. gym

May 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.—Laker El. Art show

June 3—Underclassmen awards and senior awards,
LHS

May 9—Laker FFA plant sale ends

June 7, 2 p.m.– Laker HS graduation
Page 4
The Laker Anchor
April 2015
Emma Maust: FFA State Star Award
is a family award
When Emma Maust stepped into the hallways at
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker High School as a shy
freshman, standing up and comfortably giving a
speech in front of a group was the last thing she
thought she’d be able to do.
“Mr. Wheeler motivates students to really
get involved. He pushes us to do different
things,” she said.
Today, she’s an FFA State Star in Agribusiness award
recipient – and these awards don’t go to those who
can’t present in front of an audience.
Emma said being in an
agricultural community and receiving so
much wonderful support from this community also has made the
Laker chapter so successful over the years.
Emma, daughter of Brent and Emily Maust, received
this distinguished award during the FFA National
Convention this year. She is the Laker FFA chapter
vice president and over her years in FFA, she’s pretty
much done everything possible. She said this helped
her be successful in receiving this award.
In addition to FFA and
school activities, Em“It’s a reward for a lot of hard work. It covers my
ma
is
involved
in
the
Lucky
Horseshoe
4-H Club and
entire FFA career,” Emma said.
with the youth group at Pigeon River Mennonite
She also called it “a family award” because it recog- Church. She also shows livestock at the Huron Comnizes her work as co-owner of BEAM Custom Hog munity Fair.
Finishing, a business she’s been involved with since
2013. Her father, who also was involved with the After graduating from Laker High this June, Emma
FFA as a Laker student, has been involved with the will attend Dordt College in Iowa to major in animal
science-ag business. She plans to come back to work
business for many years.
on her family’s farm.
Emma helps oversee the operation of the business,
monitors the health, nutrition and environment of the “I’d like to take over the business and expand it
hogs and assists in maintaining the facilities. She also someday,” she noted.
Emma, who said her favorite FFA memories center
helps manage records for the business.
Emma also is the secretary for her family’s business, around going to the national conventions, advises upcoming FFA students to get as involved as possible.
Bay Horizon Farm in Bay Port.
As a very involved Laker FFA chapter member, Emma said her experiences have really helped her break
out of her shell. The experiences she’s had in speaking in front of people have been invaluable. She credits longtime Laker ag teacher/FFA adviser Don
Wheeler for helping her – and the entire chapter – be
successful.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things. The more well rounded you are, the better,” she said.
The soon-to-be Laker graduate is looking forward to
starting the next chapter in her life.
“I’m excited. I’m ready to be done,” she said with a
big smile.
A BIG congratulations also goes to:
Brandon Krohn and Kelsey Robinson, who received third place in the production ag
category and the ag placement category, respectively, in the FFA State Star awards.
The last wave...
Guest artist Jenny Turner stopped by Judy Gerisch’s second
grade class to share her background in art and to have students create a portrait of a cat, step-by-step. She wanted to
show them they should always believe in themselves as artists
and never say “I can’t do that.”
Laker sixth graders in Stephanie Segroves’ technology class produced music videos using their iPads. They learned what’s all involved in this art form, including pre-planning, shooting footage
(pictured), and editing. The best videos will be viewed by the entire
junior high.
A fun and colorful spring art display, courtesy of Laker
Elementary student artists and teacher Jamie Schaefer.
Laker seventh graders in Ward Donovan’s art class
recently created “bronze” sculptures. After forming
the sculptures using wire, they covered the sculptures
in foil. Next, students put on a layer of Mod Podge
and then a paper towel layer. The sculptures were
painted, first in a coating of black paint and then
with a metallic wash for a “faux bronze” look. Each
sculpture has its own personality.
Laker theater class students not only learn lines for their upcoming plays … they sharpen their skills in multiple areas of
this art form, such as set design, lighting, sound and more.
They also write their own skits, which are performed during
junior high and high school Pride Assemblies.
The class is taught by Samantha Corrion.
Laker art opportunities are blooming every day!