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Fine Arts Phenoms Recognized By Dist. 207Free Access


Recognized by Dist. 207 were students (from l. to r.) Ellie Compton from Maine South, Belle Gerstmayr from Maine West and Cecylia Selwocki from Maine East.

The Maine Township High School Dist. 207 Board of Education named three students as “207’s Best” in the area of fine arts during the Dec. 7 board meeting. The students recognized were Ellie Compton from Maine South, Belle Gerstmayr from Maine West and Cecylia Selwocki from Maine East.

Ellie Compton has been involved in nearly all productions at Maine South during her time at the Park Ridge school, either as a performer, a videographer or working on the production team. She has been a member of WMTH (school radio) for the past four years and has spent many hours broadcasting the football games and fine arts productions. She also is a comedian and has performed routines for both the variety show and Trunk, the school’s improv comedy troupe. In addition, Ellie was the student film director for the fall play, which was broadcast online. She has played viola as a member of the orchestra for the past four years.

Currently, she is completing an internship with the Dist. 207 communications department as a student videographer. Last year she held an internship as the Maine South video intern. Her other activities include Principal’s Advisory Council, Tri-M, NHS, Thespians, and she’s an entertainment writer for Southwords.

Compton’s Symphonic and String Orchestra teacher, Matthew Nix, says that “she has been a member of the Maine South Orchestra Program for the past four years and her contributions to our fantastic orchestra program are both musical and meaningful. She is a fantastic musician and viola player, is always willing to volunteer her time towards the betterment of our orchestra family, and is one of the most collaborative and friendly people.”

Belle Gerstmayr comes from a musical family and began pursuing artistic excellence at a young age. She took piano lessons at age 5 and dance classes even earlier. She played French horn and was a part of stage productions throughout elementary and middle school. She is a comedian and her keen wit has shown through as a part of the Warrior Weekly video that is shared with all staff and students each week. During the spring, Belle’s humor and resilience converged to inspire a short television show featuring her family in lockdown. The three episodes of “Isolation Station” co-stared her mother, father and sister. She also played Pinocchio in the school’s musical production of “Shrek” last spring. Belle also is involved in producing and editing livestream services at her church.

“Belle’s strongest asset as an artist is the way she seeks out feedback and quickly applies it to her work,” broadcasting teacher Rebecca Orr said. “She constantly asks questions about her own projects and how she can improve. She never settles for anything less than her best work.”

David Harmon, who has directed Belle in several productions, commends her as “an expert collaborator. The way she interacts with her peers is refreshing and unassuming. She disarms any tension with her tremendous sense of humor. She knows how to share creative ownership and brings the best out of those she works with.”

Cecylia Selwocki is a four-year student in drama and choir and since her sophomore year she has dedicated one period of her school day to providing and supporting performing arts experiences for students receiving special education services as a member of All In Choir. In addition to her fine arts accomplishments, Cecylia has a strong overall academic focus as she is enrolled in AP English Literature and Composition, AP Calculus AB, AP Environmental Science and is a PE Leader. This is in addition to her enrollment in Drama 4, Chamber Choir and Theatre Communications. Additionally, she is a member of National Honor Society, Thespians, and prior to the onset of COVID, was the voice of morning announcements at Maine East.

Maine East drama teacher Karen Hall says that Cecylia has performed in 10 shows with numerous principal roles. “Her work as Miss Scarlet in ‘Clue’, Vivienne in ‘Legally Blonde’, and The Girl in ‘The K of D’, display her exceptional talents in characterization,” Hall says. “I am always impressed by her willingness to take a risk and to respond to direction. Cecylia is constantly determined to improve her work and her rehearsal ethic. She is the consummate thespian.”

Ed Eubank, Fine Arts Department chair, says that “Cecylia is an outstanding talent with a tireless work ethic. She doesn’t take time off in rehearsal. She is focused and analytical, constantly evaluating and revising her own work. She takes feedback like a professional and the proof is in her characters as they are engaging and convincing while displaying the depth of much more seasoned actors.”

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