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Volume 104 • Number 59 • Thursday, March 27, 2014 • PO Box 188 • 111 E. Jenkins • Maryville, MO
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Vasquez says goodbye MHS vocal music director accepts position with Excelsior Springs By KEVIN BIRDSELL Staff writer
For the last eight years, the Maryville R-2 High School vocal music department has been under the watchful eye of Nicolas Vasquez — and has flourished. But, this will be Vasquez’s final year in Maryville. He’s moving on, Vasquez has taken a similar position at Excelsior Springs Middle School near Kansas City. Prior to joining the R-II faculty, Vasquez taught at Trenton High School and at Pickett Elementary School in St. Joseph. “I’ll be teaching sixth- through eighth-grade music,” Vasquez said. “It’s essentially what I’m doing here already. I’ll be teaching some general music, I’ll be teaching choir, and I’ll be teaching beginning guitar. So it’s a nice fit.” One challenge Vasquez will
face next year is more students. There are about 200 more students in Excelsior Springs Middle School than there are at MHS, he said. Vasquez stressed that he’s leaving the district on good terms, and that the decision to depart was his and not the administration’s. “No drama, no anger, nothing like that,” Vasquez said. “I’ve really enjoyed being in Maryville. I’ve enjoyed the time that I’ve spent here. “I just want to make it clear that I’ve really enjoyed my time in Maryville. I’m not leaving because I’m upset, angry or feel hurt. I’m excited about things that are going on in Maryville, but I’m equally excited about moving closer to family and a new opportunity.” Vasquez has both relatives and in-laws in the Kansas City area. “I’m looking forward to liv-
ing to closer to family,” Vasquez said. “To both my wife’s and my families. I graduated from Kearney, so my family still lives there. My folks are there. My wife’s sister and brother-in-law, niece and nephew live in Kearney. … I’m kind of looking forward to a change. There can be concerns and worries with change, but it can be new and exciting with something different.” Kearney and Excelsior Springs are only about 11 miles apart. Teaching at the middle school level, Vasquez said, will also give him more time to spend with his children: Aiden, 5; Jackson, 3; and Mia, 9 months. “It will be less evening and weekend availability needed, which is something I’m looking forward to with regard to my kids getting older,” Vasquez said. “I’ll have more time to spend with them. They’re going to get busSee VASQUEZ, Page 6
The music man
KEVIN BIRDSELL/DAILY FORUM
Maryville R-2 High School vocal music teacher Nicolas Vasquez has held that position at MHS for the last eight years. Vasquez recently submitted his resignation to the district and next year will teach vocal music at Excelsior Springs Middle School near Kansas City.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
New artwork for downtown
The Maryville Pubic Arts Committee has won City Council approval for three new pieces of art to be installed on three sides of the courthouse square this summer. Replacing three existing sculptures will be (right) “Talk-Talk-Smile,” a 12-foot-high abstraction by Leslie Bruning fashioned from 400 pounds of gold-colored galvanized steel mesh; and (above) a series of three metal “robots” named “Saw Blade,” “Moon Totem” and “Sun Chant” created by Gary Monaco.
Sculptures selected for square square. News editor Smith also served as executive director of the Greater The subject of public art Maryville Chamber of Comsurfaced again before the merce. Maryville City Council The artworks will replace this week as Diane Sudhoff those currently standing on and Melanie Smith of the brick-and-cement nodes deMaryville Public Arts Com- signed especially for that purmittee proposed three new pose as part of the square’s sculptures for installation this $3 million “streetscape,” a summer on the courthouse project completed a couple of By TONY BROWN
years ago that also included new sidewalks and vintagestyle streetlamps. After large, abstract metal sculptures by a Northwest Missouri State University art student proved unpopular with downtown business owners, the works —always intended to be temporary — were taken down and re-
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