Burns Park Elementary School honored for its art program by University Musical Society at gala

Posted on Sun, Mar 21, 2010 : 11 a.m.

Burns Park Elementary School honored for its art program by University Musical Society at gala

By Allison Goldstein

Fred Shell and James Vella (right) honor the winners of the DTE Energy Foundation School and Educator of the Year Awards.

Allison Goldstein I Contributor

Burns Park Elementary was officially named the 2009-10 DTE Energy Foundation School of the Year of by the University Musical Society at a gala held Saturday.

While accepting the award during the black-tie event held at the Michigan League, Burns Park Principal Kathy Morhous gave all the credit to her staff.

Previously, UMS said Burns Park won the award for participation in such art-related programs as a "UMS-sponsored cultural immersion of Detroit's Mexicantown, a hip hop performance by Montreal's Rubberbandance Group, and a workshop that demonstrated how theater and drama can be used as pedagogical tools to teach tolerance."

Both Morhous and Burns Park Elementary school lead teacher Cynthia Page-Bogen were on hand to accept the school's honor - an award tied to "the wonderful work (Burns Park) does to engage students with arts and cultures of the world," according to James Vella, Ford Motor Co.'s president for fund and community services.

The Cobahshi Trio entertains guests with pre-dinner music.

Allison Goldstein I Contributor

Morhous thanked "UMS, DTE, and all of [their] supporters for making so many wonderful resources available to assist (Burns Park) as we create multicultural experiences that come alive for our students through the lens of the arts."

The 15th Annual Ford Honors Gala to benefit University Musical Society and its education programs began with a multicourse dinner served to the sounds of the Cobahshi Trio, a group of three Pioneer High School students. Dinner was followed by the evening's awards presentation program, which was kicked off with an introduction from Vella.

"The quality of the UMS program is a result of the relationship we have with the teachers, schools and school districts," Vella said of this year's award recipients.

Ford Honors Gala guests have dinner at the Michigan League.

Allison Goldstein l Contributor

The DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year Award was given to Deb Clancy, Washtenaw Intermediate School District liason to the UMS Youth Education Program. It was her "bend-over-backwards brand of support" and her "insightful counsel" which earned her the honor.

The award presentations were followed with a performance at Hill Auditorium by this year's Distinguished Artist Award winner, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony.

Allison Goldstein is an AnnArbor.com contributor for the Central Ann Arbor neighborhood. She is a senior and a communications major at the University of Michigan. Contact her via e-mail at allisonstonegoldstein@gmail.com