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Papadolias Fund & Halfvarson Fund Created Within Community Foundation

The Beacon-News

Funds Set Up To Carry On West Choral Programs

AURORA — Two endowment funds supporting West Aurora School District choral arts carry names familiar to generations of West students and community members — Meg Papadolias and Sten and Lucille Halfvarson.

Papadolias is retiring this year after more than three decades as a leader of West’s choral program, and the Halfvarsons’ teaching careers began in Aurora 70 years ago.

The A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools, a foundation formed to benefit the West Aurora schools, announced the creation of the Papadolias Fund last week at the end of Papadolias’ final concert at West High. The Papadolias Fund will provide scholarships, foster innovative programs, and provide funds for music and performance trips.

The Halfvarson fund, created in 2010, focuses on vocal music teachers and choral directors by assisting them with professional development, community initiatives and general program improvements.

Both funds are administered by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. Contributions to either can be addressed to A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools, c/o Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, 111 W. Downer Place, Suite 312, Aurora, IL 60506; or online at communityfoundationfrv.org.

Papadolias began teaching in the West Aurora district in 1979. At West Aurora High School, she added a number of specialty choirs, was the impetus behind the piano lab, created the opportunity for Music Theory class and AP Music Theory, wrote her own rigorous textbook, and consistently produced music students who have been selected to perform in All-State honors choirs.

Sten Halfvarson taught at West Aurora High School from 1938 until 1979. At West, he developed the choral arts program into one of the most respected in the state, creating the A Cappella Choir. He also was the author and creator of two legendary West High songs, “Roll-On” and the “West High Alma Mater.” In 1960, he formed the Aurora Festival Chorus, which continued to perform major choral works for 15 years.

Lucille Halfvarson taught music and speech at Freeman Elementary School in Aurora from 1941-1944. In subsequent years, she also directed church choirs at Our Savior Lutheran, New England Congregational and Westminster Presbyterian. Later, Halfvarson became an instructor of music and director of choral groups for Waubonsee Community College. She established the Waubonsee District Chorus, which became known for its annual performance of “The Messiah,” held at the Paramount Arts Centre. Under her direction, these concerts became a community tradition, which lasted for 25 years, from 1968-1992.

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

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