News to share about some young West Seattleites on the move, in more ways than one:

First, West Seattle state-champion runner Maddie Meyers (left) was the only girl from our state in the Foot Locker National Cross-Country Championships last weekend in San Diego; she finished 23rd, with the third-highest time for a 10th grader (she attends The Northwest School). We have reported on some of Maddie’s achievements before (here and here). She qualified for nationals by finishing 7th at the West Regionals a week earlier. Also from the fleet-of-foot department, Jo Bader shares a photo and news from last weekend’s Girls On The Run event at Seward Park, with West Seattle girls participating:

Girls on the Run of Puget Sound is a non-profit organization whose mission is to use the power of running to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. GOTRPS operates an after-school prevention program for 3rd through 5th grade girls throughout Puget Sound, including two programs in West Seattle at Hiawatha and Pathfinder.

Girls from the West Seattle GOTR programs participated this past Saturday in the GOTR 5K at Seward Park. The event is the graduation 5K for our 10-week fall program participants. It is also a fundraiser for the GOTRPS organization and attracts lots of supporters. The program is run by volunteer coaches who were all on hand to cheer on our girls to the finish line. It was a chilly, but very fun day.

Congratulations to all of the girls who completed the program and their very first 5K! Their coaches are very proud of them.

Girls on the Run of Puget Sound
www.girlsrun.org

Jo says there’ll be a spring program at the same locations, and they’ll be looking for coaches: “It is really fun and very rewarding!”

Next, from Madison Middle School teacher Jeanne Merritt, a recap of the school’s Winter Concert a few nights ago:

Madison Middle School’s annual Winter Concert took place Thursday evening under the leadership of music teacher Clark Bathum.

The beautiful music performed by 170 students was inspiring.

The program began with the jazz band performing Fat Cat and featuring piano, sax and trombone soloists. Then they played a lively Cuban piece featuring a guitar soloist. Another band group played music showcasing percussionists. The program finished with a full orchestra performing four selections from the Nutcracker Suite.

The Madison orchestra is co-taught by string specialist Mike Watson, and the Latin jazz band is taught after school by local salsa musician Fred Hoadley. He also arranges all the Latin music.

Madison’s music students are accustomed to excellence. Last year they won many awards at the Music in the Parks Festival in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: First place jazz band, first place string orchestra, Esprit de Corps award (musicianship and gracious conduct), and soloist award (eighth consecutive year).

Bravo!

Thanks to Jeanne – we appreciate news from West Seattle schools (photos are great too) – editor@westseattleblog.com. Last but not least, as The Nutcracker continues at Pacific Northwest Ballet, we have the company’s list of West Seattle-area youth who are in the cast. Read on:

The Nutcracker continues until the end of the month. Here’s who PNB says is from the West Seattle area:

Malvin Nguyen
Toy Theater Boy
Denny International Middle School
6th grade

Nathaniel Solis
Fighting Mice Man
West Seattle High
10th grade

Celeste Burke-Conte
Small Servant
Seattle Country Day School
4th grade

Apisara Krassner
Tall Servant
Madison Middle School
7th grade

Emmy Sabee
Scrim Mouse
Madison Middle
8th grade

Erica Schwartz
Infantry
Tilden School
5th grade

Carlin Kramer
Scrim Mouse
Homeschool
9th grade

Megan Kennedy
Fighting Mice Woman
The Center School
10th grade

Flynn Schuehle
Infantry
Seattle Girls’ School
5th grade

Levi Teachout
Cavalry Officer
McMurray Middle School
7th grade

Katie Anderson
Chinese
Kennedy High School
12th grade

Keegan Daley
Fritz
Sanislo Elementary
4th grade

Angelina Doeun
Small Servant
Sanislo Elementary
4th grade

Nutcracker ticket/schedule info is here.