The Prairie Landscape

The Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award - 2006


Gay Rupert

Nominated By The Honorable Catherine Melchert


Bartlett


Gay Rupert

For Bartlett High School choir director Gay Rupert, this year's spring musical was not just about directing students in the classic songs and story of "Les Miserábles," it was a chance to teach them about Victor Hugo and 19th century France. Likewise, Ms. Rupert looked at the opportunity for the school's a cappella choir to sing abroad this summer—the fourth time the choir has earned an overseas invitation, with no small nod to their director—and saw a perfect opening for immersing her students in European culture. Ms. Rupert also brings history to life for her community through the choir's Madrigal Dinner each year; at her behest, the students dress in period costume to serve dinner and entertain their guests with songs that call to mind Christmas in merry Old England. According to Mayor Catherine Melchert of Bartlett, "for the 10 years Ms. Rupert has taught Bartlett children, she has succeeded in turning choir lessons into history lessons, school musicals into literature lessons, and extracurricular activities into life lessons."

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