middbriefs Theatre competition and community service

Author: Brian Fung & Zamir Ahmed

German group wins Mt. Holyoke competition

Eleven Middlebury students were part of the team named the top college German theater group in a performance at the annual Mount Holyoke College German theater competition on April 26. The group's performance of "Die Dreigroschenoper," ("The Three Penny Opera") was directed by Associate Professor of German Bettina Matthias.

For over 30 years, the so-called "Deutsches Theaterfest" has attracted students from across the northeastern United States, ranging from elementary-school children to college-age adults. The competition's jury is typically composed of representatives from Mount Holyoke's German and theater departments, as well as local teachers and professors. This year, the jury awarded Middlebury's team for a superb mastery of the German language and an impressive performance of what is known as a classic German work of theater.

Middlebury students have won the college division of the competition for the past three years running. Among those recognized are Mike Young '07, Yuki Yoshida '10, Hyang Mi Lee '07, Hannah Parker '10, Andy Gustafson '09, Gruia Badescu '07, Lizzie Gordon '09 and David Hamberlin '10. Jenna Conklin '10 was acknowledged for her piano-playing skills, while Ljudmila Bilkic '07 and Christopher O'Connell '09 both received nods for their work on sets and make-up.



College recognizes public service leaders

Forty-eight students were honored for their service to the community at the College's annual Public Service Leadership Award dinner on April 25. Nine students at the dinner were also selected to receive special awards for their dedication to charitable causes.

This year also marks the first year that the Public Service Leadership Award was given to a student organization at the College. Sunday Night Group, the campus' environmental activism organization, was recognized for helping to organize Step It Up 2007, a nationwide campaign to promote green awareness.

In addition to the awards, the College will make a $300 donation to a nonprofit organization of each honorees' choosing. This year, the College will donate $3,000 to charity, bringing the total amount donated over the 14-year history of the awards to over $24,000.

The Public Service Leadership Awards were created by Patrick Durkin '79 in 1993. Nominations for the awards are received early in the spring semester, with each nomination reviewed by a panel of students, faculty and staff weighing each nominees' dedication, impact on the community and eagerness to raise awareness of local charitable causes within the student body.