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PrintMay 2023 Newsletter
News
News And Events
News And Events
Announcing the 2023 Drey Scholars!
News
Left to Right: Reta Jackson, Jillian Rodriguez, Bryan Boogiaino, Jonathan Jackson, Olivia Mindermann, Greg Wedel, and Socky O'Sullivan
Family members and friends of the newly named Drey Scholars, with members of the Executive Board of Central Florida Branch of ESU and active members of our Branch, gathered on Sunday afternoon, February 5th in the Library of the WP University Club to honor our 2023 Scholars. The program began at 2 p.m. with Reta Jackson, Scholarship Chair, introducing Dr. Maurice O'Sullivan, President of the Branch, who gave a brief history and explanation of this international organization. Then, Donna Miller talked about her friend, Jessie Drey, who endowed our organization with the monies that support the Teachers Learning Abroad (Tlab) scholarship program. The program continued with Reta introducing each scholar and Dr. O'Sullivan presenting a certificate. Gisela Davis presented a full-year branch membership and a membership badge so all can recognize our scholars, and Jackie Abrams gave each the initial check for $2,000 to be used for travel expenses and books. Their tuition, room, and board will be paid by invoice from the National Office of ESU and ranges from $5,000 to $6,600 depending on the program. The audience gave lots of applause for each of these wonderful educators who represent the best of the teaching profession.
- Bryan Boggiano from Lake Nona High School will be attending the Globe Theater's Program, Teaching Shakespeare through Performance.
- Jonathan Jackson from Windermere High School will also be attending the Globe Theater's Program, Teaching Shakespeare through Performance.
- Olivia Mindermann from Horizon High School will be attending University of Edinburgh and studying Creative Writing.
- Jillian Rodriguez from Lake Howell High School will be attending Oxford University and studying History, Politics and Society at Exeter College.
- Greg Wedel from Lake Howell High School will be attending University of Edinburgh and studying Modernism and Contemporary Literature.
Congratulations to these amazing educators, and we wish them many adventures this summer as they travel across the pond, representing our Branch in the United Kingdom and furthering their educational experiences.
Central Florida Branch Shakespeare Competition
News
On February 20, 2023, 17 students from the tri-county area arrived at Orlando Shakes to participate in The English-Speaking Union's annual Shakespeare competition. Contestants were vying for the opportunity to win $1,000.00, an additional prize to cover the cost of travel to New York City for the National competition, and a scholarship to Orlando Shakes' The Young Company, which is valued at $250.00. This year's contenders made for difficult judging decisions. On the panel of judges this year were Anne Hering: Director of Education at The Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Donna Miller; former Program Coordinator for Orange County's Language Arts, and Dr. Maurice "Socky" O'Sullivan: Kenneth Curry Professor of Literature Emeritus at Rollins College.
From Left to Right: Casey Kerr, Delaney Polk, and James Helsinger
Casey Kerr from Lake Nona High School took First Place with a portrayal of Bottom from A Midsummer Night's Dream and Sonnet 81 under the direction of their teacher, Ms. Jennifer Gautier. Second Place went to Delaney Polk from Windermere Prep. Delaney was coached by her teacher, Ms. BambiEllen Fadoul, on her depiction of Lady Macbeth from Macbeth and Sonnet 144. In Third Place was James Helsinger who was trained by his teacher, Ms. Marie Gentile, at Boone High School.
New to the competition in 2021 was the Richard Burbage Award. Named after one of the most famous actors at The Globe Theatre, this award celebrates the work and dedication of teacher sponsors who have managed year after year to keep their students engaged, their involvement in our competition ongoing, and our audiences enriched. The 2023 recipient of the Richard Burbage Award is long-standing sponsor Kristopher Kahn of Cypress Creek High School. The final award given this year is The Love of the Bard Award. This award requires a teacher nomination and is an award given annually to one student who, "Exhibits determination, grit, fortitude, and a true passion for Shakespeare's works." This year's winner is Malaki Headrick of Avalon Private School.
After serving 27 years as either the Shakespeare Competition Coordinator for the Central Florida Branch of the ESU, or an Assistant Coordinator, Ginger Bryant completed her final year of service in her rewarding role. Brett Carrier will be seamlessly stepping into the role for the 2024 Shakespeare Competition.
Drey Scholars Reunion
News
From Left: Matthew, Nash Brown, Kristina Thompson, Bryan Boggiano, Greg Wedel, Jennifer Gautier
The Sheraton North's Irish Pub, the An Tobar, set the stage for Central Florida's Drey Scholars Reunion on Wednesday, March 29th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Jan McClure and Reta Jackson greeted scholars and Board members with name tags and free drink tickets. The Sheraton donated a generous platter of fruits, crackers, and cheeses while the Branch provided charcuterie boards and barbecued wings. President Maurice (Socky) O'Sullivan gave the scholars a welcome, calling teachers the true heroes of Florida. The new scholars: Bryan Boggiano, Jonathan Jackson, Olivia Mindermann, and Greg Wedel met former scholars who shared their travel stories and tips for an easy transition into London or Edinburgh, Scotland's culture. Donna Miller, Elaine Laegeler, Nancy Williams, Barbara Hughes, Gilda Gomez and Debra Williams were seen enjoying conversations with teachers like Jennifer Gautier, Matthew Nash Brown, and Sally Marjama. Judging by the noise level in the Pub, a good time was had by all.
Congratulations, Casey!
News
Left to Right: Jennifer Grace, Dr. Quinn Peeper, Casey Kerr, and Gail Chase
We simply had to spread the news about our own Central Florida Shakespeare Competition Branch representative, Casey Kerr, and their amazing performance on Monday, April 24th at the 40th National Shakespeare Competition! Casey took second place with their performances of Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Sonnet 81. As the second-place winner, Casey will be attending the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp in Staunton, Virginia.
The Central Florida ESU is so very proud to have been a part of bringing Casey's amazing talent to the Lincoln Center stage! We also congratulate the dedicated team of professionals who were a part of Casey's preparation for the big day: Gail Chase, Lake Nona's Drama Department Head, and Jenny Chase, AP Literature teacher, have been by Casey's side from their school competition all the way to New York City! We have trustworthy intel (through the grapevine) that they all charmed Dr. Quinn Peeper, Chairman of the National ESU!
Additionally, we would love to extend gratitude - once again- to our Central Florida Competition judges, Anne Hering: Director of Education at The Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Dr. Maurice "Socky" O'Sullivan: Kenneth Curry Professor of Literature Emeritus at Rollins College and Central Florida ESU Branch President, as well as Donna Miller: former Program Coordinator for Orange County's Language Arts Department. Your eye for technique and artistry has allowed our branch to shine through Casey's accomplishment. It is a win for us all!
2022 TLab Scholars Reunion
News
On September 21, 2022, forty former Drey Scholars with invited colleagues and members of the ESU Board gathered to enjoy our returning Drey Scholars' around-the-table discussion of their experiences this summer in the United Kingdom. Scholar Chair, Reta Jackson, introduced Lizzy Brannan and Matthew Nash-Brown, who traveled to London to participate in "Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance" and Jessica Furiosi and Gerry Precil, who both attended Oxford University's program on "History, Politics and Society," and last but not least, Kris Kahn, who traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, to attend classes in Contemporary Scottish Drama as well as plays at the International Fringe Festival. These scholars were chosen back in 2019 and have the distinction of being named Drey Scholars for four years due to the pandemic.
Fall Dinner Guests of Honor
News
Our 2022 Drey Scholarship Award recipients joined us as our Guests of Honor for the dinner program on October 18, 2022, at the Winter Park Racquet Club! This is the first year that Kenneth Holman received our UCF scholarship, and Devin Johnson is holding this honor for the second year in a row! They were both accompanied by Andrea Borwczak, Ed.D., Professor and Director, UCF School of Teacher Education.
Left to Right: Socky O'Sullivan, Kenneth Holman, Andrea C. Borowczak, Devin Johnson, and Jan McClure
Beaming With Pride
News
The Central Florida Branch is proud to announce that Vice President Ginger Bryant is the recipient of the Creativity in Programming Award from the English-Speaking Union of the United States. Ginger was chosen by a national committee to receive this Membership Recognition Award in its inaugural year. E-SUUS asked branches to nominate a member who represents creative excellence in the development and/or administration of an E-SU program. After frequent meetings and a thorough process, the selection committee chose Ginger for her leadership and organizational talents in taking our Regional National Shakespeare Competition to a level recognized as a model of excellence.
Socky O'Sullivan, Ginger Bryant, and Jan McClure
We are also bursting with pride to announce that Donna Miller is the recipient of the National ESU Lifetime Achievement Award. During almost forty years as a member of the Central Florida ESU, most spent as the chair (and fierce guardian) of the committee deciding how our funds from the Drey Endowment should be used, Donna Miller has overseen the distribution of over three million dollars to programs for teachers and students throughout Central Florida. She has also been a patron of the National ESU and served as a member of its Finance Committee. During these decades, few individuals have done as much for education and our community.
