Cactus HS grad awarded Theatre Performance Scholarship

July 23, 2008

CAVE CREEK – Natalie Wisener, a recent Cactus High School graduate, is the recipient of a 2008 Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship. The $1,500 scholarship, awarded by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and its student honorary division, the International Thespian Society (ITS), was presented on Saturday, June 28 at the 2008 International Thespian Festival, on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

scholarshipWisener is a member of Cactus High’s Thespian troupe 478, directed by Denise Ferguson.
The Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship is awarded annually to members of ITS demonstrating extraordinary ability in theatre performance, as adjudicated by a panel composed of theatre educators and professionals. In order to be considered for a scholarship, a student must be a graduating high school senior, with at least a 2.7 grade point average, entering a college program to major in the communicative arts (theatre, film, speech, radio and television, broadcasting, music, or dance).

About the Educational Theatre Association
The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a professional organization for theatre education founded in 1929. EdTA’s mission is to create a network for theatre arts educators, students, professionals, and enthusiasts to share ideas and support the effort to have theatre arts education (including film, television, and other related media) recognized in all phases of education and lifelong learning. EdTA operates the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honorary organization for middle school and high school theatre students. The organization also publishes Dramatics, a monthly magazine for high school theatre students, and Teaching Theatre, a quarterly journal for theatre education professionals.

About the International Thespian Society
The International Thespian Society (ITS) is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students located at more than 3,700 affiliated secondary schools across America, Canada, and abroad. The mission of ITS is to honor student excellence in the theatre arts. High school inductees are known as “Thespians” and junior high/middle school inductees are known as “Junior Thespians.” ITS is a division of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

About the International Thespian Festival
The International Thespian Festival is an annual, weeklong event for high school theatre students, celebrating student excellence in theatre arts. The event features workshops presented by theatre professionals, individual and group performances, and opportunities to audition for college admission and scholarships. The International Thespian Festival is currently held on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is presented by the International Thespian Society (ITS), the student honorary of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

Photo caption: Natalie Wisener (second from left) with (l-r) EdTA Board President Jerry D. Smith, Jr., Thespian Scholarship Judging Coordinator, Donnie Bryan and EdTA Executive Director Michael J. Peitz.
Courtesy photo


Judson Reunion

July 23, 2008

SCOTTSDALE – Although both Judson School and its beloved Director, Henry C. Wick III, are gone, a heartwarming tribute to both recently brought over 200 alumni into Scottsdale from as far away as Kuwait to renew friendships and happy memories.

Judson was Arizona’s oldest independent college preparatory school, founded in 1928. Its student body represented 33 countries, many of whom remained to live here. Following a devastating car accident in 1996, resulting in Wick being paralyzed, the school closed in 2002. He died in 2007 at home, at his precious Judson, gone but never forgotten!

judsonWick and his wife, Barbara, lived on campus, remaining in their home which still boasts their famous sign “Welcome, Come In, Do not knock or ring bell,” on the door. Barbara traveled all over the world bringing back students from numerous countries.

A touching tribute was also made in her honor by Alum president Ron Fried, and a standing ovation after her speech, were the highlights of the Dinner Dance celebration.

As she said, “Judson will always be alive and well in all of our remarkable students worldwide.”

Photo caption: Longtime Paradise Valley residents Barbara Wick (Mrs. Henry C. Wick, III), daughter Ginny Wick Verhamme with Alum President Ron Fried and wife Lisa.
Courtesy photo