MIHS band students will play in prestigious clinic/ School briefs

Fourteen Mercer Island High School (MIHS) band students have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2024 Western International Band Clinic honor bands. Three MIHS students have been chosen as alternates for the event, which will occur from Nov. 22-25 in Seattle.

Islanders will have the chance to work with some of the most respected names in the music education world and perform in a culminating concert.

The selected students are: Jens Aoyama – flute; Henry Barnes – French horn; Denis Batalov – alto sax; Brielle Cai – flute; Owen Clarkson – trombone; Derek Hsi – trombone; Hanzi Hu – French horn; Eva Jantos – trombone; Leo Le – euphonium; Oliver Lee – trombone; Rowan Porteus – bassoon; Ethan Savage – trumpet; Angie Wang – alto sax; and George Wu – flute

Alternates: Ryunosuke Masuda – flute; Kavya Mraldhar – flute; and Jibran Qadeer – trumpet

MIHS seniors selected as 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists

MIHS seniors Kyle Gerstel and Sophia Loiselle have been selected as 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists.

They are two of 1,336 students who were among the 1.27% selected as semifinalists from more than 105,000 applicants from across the country. The duo will continue through the Coca-Cola selection process by submitting their semifinalist applications to be reviewed by the Coca-Cola Scholar Program Reading Committee. After this review by the committee, 250 will advance as regional finalists, with 150 becoming Coca-Cola Scholars and receiving a $20,000 college scholarship.

In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant community of alumni that has become a powerful force for positive change in the world, according to a press release.

Young selected as student representative

MIHS student James Young was selected as one of two new student representatives to the four-student Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) Board of Directors. These student leaders will play an integral role in bringing student perspectives to the board, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard in important discussions about education in the region, reads a press release.