Sigma Alpha Iota

Spring 2021 4 P A N P I P E S MUSIC NOTES MMEA Music Educator Award Mrs. Angelica Brooks, an SAI Patroness with Educa- tion initiated by the Washington, DC Alumnae Chapter, is a 2021 Outstanding Music Educa- tor Award recipient. The Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) annually recognizes and honors music educators for their outstanding service to the music students in public, private, or independent schools in the State of Maryland. Mrs. Brooks, Director of Choral Activities at Bowie High School, also served as the Prince George's County Public Schools Teacher of the Year for 2019-2020. Angelica is an acclaimed choral director and music educator, who has taught at all levels and served various student popula- tions. She is a mentor teacher, curriculum writer, guest conduc- tor, and presenter. Angelica earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Media Management from Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. She completed graduate work in the Master of Music program with a focus in Vocal Pedagogy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and is currently a DMA Candidate in the Music Teaching and Learning program at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. "During the pandemic, I've been working with my students to produce virtual choir projects, partner with a local Opera company to provide a performance for my Chamber Choir, assist in orga- nizing a songwriting competition for my district, and produced our first ever virtual musical. I have also served my district as an administrative intern for our Vocal and General Music Department and was appointed to the NAFME Equity Committee in October of last year. I love serving my students and my learning community." Visit her website at: www.angelicabrooks.com Fostering Youth Leadership SAI Alexa Severo, an initiate of Theta Pi Chapter at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA, was recently appointed as the new President of Loudoun Youth, Inc. This local nonprofit was established as a 501(c)(3) organization in April 2005, with a mission to coordinate community resources to assist in the development of youth programs and to create leadership opportunities for young people. For the past five years, Alexa has served on Loudoun Youth's board of directors; she also participated in the program while a high school student. Alexa, a 2nd Grade Teacher at Sugarland Elementary School, is excited to continue working with the youth of Loudoun County to empower them, connect them, and give them opportunities to lead. "One of my goals is to increase awareness of what we do, connecting even more with the youth of Loudoun and their families, so that everyone in our community knows what Loudoun Youth is and the positive impact we have on both the kids and county as a whole." Learn more at: www.loudounyouth.org

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