Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Emily Scarpulla was named the 2013 Lee Strebel Memorial Award for Enthusiasm in the Performing Arts recipient.  Scarpulla accepted the award at the Ithaca High School’s Underclassman Award Night June 3rd in Ithaca High School Performing Arts Center Kulp Auditorium.  The Lee Strebel Memorial Award is presented each year to an Ithaca student who has not only participated in the performing arts at the high school level, but has shown extraordinary spirit in that pursuit.

The award is given in loving memory of Lee Strebel, an Ithaca High School student who died suddenly during his freshman year in February of 2006. In his short time at the high school, Strebel became a standout in the drama department after playing the leading role of George Gibbs in Our Town.

Strebel was a promising young actor to be sure, but what made him so well-loved was his constant smile, great work ethic, support for his peers and an unshakeable positive mental attitude. It is hoped that the recipient of this award will continue to demonstrate many of the same attributes, and recognize that although skills may be handed out in various amounts, our attitude and effort are completely under our control.

“Emily Scarpulla, an eleventh grader, is a highly accomplished drama student.  She does it all, acting, directing and technical theater.  This fall she managed a very successful one act, directing students and presenting a production in our first student one-act weekend.”  stated Lorraine Tino, Ithaca High School Drama teacher.

“I think it is great that we have such a large base of student participation.  It is wonderful to see a community that is so supportive of theater, especially the students in the audience,” Emily Scarpulla noted after receiving the award.

The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, works with the high school drama staff and the Strebel Family to present this award.

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