When Director of Instrumental Activities Steven Lueth heard the news that Barton’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education was chosen to receive a national award for its community service, he was quick to give away all the credit.
“This is the most active chapter we’ve had for the duration that I’ve been a sponsor,” he said. “This award was definitely earned by the members.”
One of the group’s larger service activities is a haunted-house fundraiser for Great Bend’s Brit Spaugh Zoo. The students also volunteer to coordinate and host a Kansas State High School Activities Association Regional Music Contest, which was held Saturday on Barton’s campus.
The Chapter of Excellence in Service Award was given to only three schools in the United States. The other two were Boise State University and Reinhardt University.
Barton is also one of only three community colleges with active NAfME chapters, which Lueth said is too good of an opportunity to pass up for a multitude of reasons.
Members of NAfME are also members of the Kansas Music Educators Association. One major benefit is the opportunity to attend the annual conference, where students are able to see what all the Kansas universities have to offer as they look to continue their education beyond Barton.
“They get to network,” Lueth added, “but they also get to learn from some of the best about new techniques and the latest in music education.”
As with most organizations, students will get out what they put in. If the national recognition is any indication, Barton’s chapter of NAfME certainly gave it their all.
“We have a lot of students with great leadership qualities,” Lueth said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with their careers.”
Members of Barton’s NAfME Chapter are Rose Radenberg, Joann Stacey, Greg Pohl, Veronqua Schaben, Benjamen Gregg, Kira Kreutzer, Megan Schlochtermeier, Jake Towery, C.J. Bookout, Brandon Cross, Zaid Hayes, Tyler Wassenberg and Jessica Perez.