Vision for the Future
Where we’ve been, where we’re going By Lori Marie Rios
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Brinegar, “That is what I want to do!” I knew then here is nothing better than being with colleagues, that I wanted to serve on the ACDA board so that I challenging ourselves to be better and learning could help others grow and learn. (Jim Yowell, thank new things. We all have endured a year of learning in you! You were a great president and inspiration!) a totally different way. For me, learning a new platform It would be eleven years before I would be asked to (Canvas) took most of my summer. Like many of us, run as Southern representative, when I was teaching at being prepared or not being prepared to start online in La Cañada Middle/High School. Eight years later I August was a daunting thought. However, we all did was nominated to run for President, and I was honored it. We may not like it, but we accomplished it. For me, and blessed to be elected. I loved every minute and I relying on my colleagues to talk me off the ledge was continue to serve; my work is not done yet. my safety net. Taking classes online to be better for my students was a priority. I did it and ou see, what I figured out (through you did too! many trials and errors) is that I need When I was a first-year teacher, teaching K-8 music at a small people around me who want me to be Catholic school, I decided that I better. Many colleagues that I have met wanted to attend something called through ACDA have become my dearest “ECCO” hosted by California friends and confidants. I also know that ACDA. I badly wanted to go, but if it hadn’t been for some financial help I was genuinely concerned about from a mentor, I would have not been how I was going to come up with able to attend my first ECCO. the money to attend. My dear During my presidency I was friend Desiree LaVertu agreed to challenged by Angel Vázquez-Ramos go, and we drove up to ECCO to start something that would change with my mentor, Don Brinegar. the trajectory of the next few years. I was fortunate: Don helped me Before the end of my term, I presented financially so that I could attend a proposal to the board that we start a my very first ECCO. Upon our fund that would give scholarships to its arrival I was giddy with excitement membership through applications for Lori Marie works her magic at (and those who know me now continuing education. We named it the the 2016 summer conference. know that when I’m giddy it’s a “Vision for the Future Scholarship Fund.” little scary). I knew no one except Our kickoff was spectacular, with over 80 Desiree, Don, and Dr. Ron Kean and Dr. Jo-Michael people giving approximately $13,000 to the fund. A Scheibe, whom I’d met. As I sat in the chapel listening year later we awarded the first Charles Hirt Memorial to Dr. Scheibe, I wanted to know more, meet more Scholarship to Mariia Pechenova, who attended an people, and never stop striving for excellence. I went to orchestral/choral conducting workshop in New York. every plenary session, interest session, social hour, and Over the past four years we have continued to build church service. At the opening of the evening plenary, the VFTF Scholarship, and I started an advisory a man got up and introduced himself as the President committee comprising past presidents of CCDA and of California ACDA. I was mesmerized with his words ACDA to discuss creating more scholarships. This about leadership and service. I turned and said to Don committee is chaired by Ron Kean, Past Western
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12 • Cantate • Vol. 33, No. 3 • Spring 2021
California Choral Directors Association
