Lapeer West High School teachers honored at MEA state art show in East Lansing recently

Current Lapeer West art and industrial arts teachers and a retired West art teacher were honored by having art work selected for the Michigan Education Association Art Show.

Selected for the show was a photograph (left) taken by Mrs. Julie Fernandez; a wood sculpture and papier mache sculpture created by Mr. Jeff Bolzman (right, below); a wooden sculpted plate by Mr. Steve Hilgendorf and a sculptural piece of glass, metal and wood titled “Balance” by retired art teacher Jeanine Smith.

Only 79 art pieces from around Michigan were selected for the show.

Mrs. Fernandez was further honored by having her photograph selected as a “Purchase Award,” putting it in the top tier of the awards at the show.

To see more teacher art go to the photo gallery.

“Having a piece selected for the show is a nice honor, having one selected for purchased by the MEA is an even higher honor,” said Mr. Bolzman. “We all congratulate Julie on her work.”

Lapeer West students donate 750 cans, bottles to plant trees in Arbor Day program

The Lapeer West High School Earth Angels, a loosely organized group of West students and staff, set aside last week to collect about 750 returnable bottles and cans.

Lapeer West teacher, Ms. Jeanine Smith, collected the bottles and cans and then returned them for cash, which she sent to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Last year the ‘Angels’ collected enough money to plant 50 trees, but set the goal higher this year.

“We collected enough to plant 75 native pine, fir and cedar trees in a national forest,” said Ms. Smith. “This shows how the smallest effort can become very big when we work together to go green.”

It costs about $1 per tree.

Lapeer West students win "Young Artists" awards at Delphi Glass Show in Lansing

Five Lapeer West High School art students won awards at the Delphi Glass Show in Lansing in the Young Artists’ Category.

Emily Korleski took first place and won a kiln valued at $450 and glass. Drew Dabrowski won third place and won a fusing glass pack valued at about $300.

Kris Zalewski, Lindsy Barrow and Samantha Dahnke received glass packs and books for their participation.

“Each year, the staff at Delphi is amazed at the work of the glass students from Lapeer West,” said teacher Ms. Jeanine Smith. “I think this speaks for the incredible K-12 art program K-12 that Lapeer Schools are so fortunate to have”

The students received their awards at the show opening reception on Sunday, March 29th. The show continues through April at Delphi Glass, 3380 E. Jolly Road in Lansing.