Grammy nominee grabs attention for Kurn Hattin; VSAC workshops continue; BRAM collection used in school project

Kurn Hattin Homes for Children’s Music director Lisa Bianconi, a Top 10 finalist for the inaugural Grammy Music Educator award, was one of only two music teacher-nominees to be profiled recently on CBS Evening News. Immediately following the CBS airing, Kurn Hattin’s website saw a marked increase in traffic, including a number of online donations.

Lisa Bianconi of Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster was among the Top 10 music educators who are finalists in the first ever Grammy Music Educator award.

Bianconi, a 30-year employee of Kurn Hattin Homes, says she is grateful for the attention her story has brought to the school, a non-profit that relies on private donations to support its operations.

Representatives from the Grammy Foundation will visit Kurn Hattin’s campus April 24 to present Bianconi with the $1,000 honorarium she won for making it to the final round. Kurn Hattin Homes will also receive a matching $1,000 honorarium.

Although another educator, Kent Knappenberger of Westfield, NY, was ultimately named the Grammy recipient, Bianconi has said she already feels like a winner.

Established in 1894, Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, Vermont is a charitable, year-round home and school for boys and girls, ages 6–15, who are affected by tragedy and social or economic hardship. Kurn Hattin Homes transforms the lives of children and their families forever. For more informaion visit: www.kurnhattin.org

To watch the CBS news video featuring Bianconi http://cbsn.ws/19KR9u2.

VSAC financial aid workshops at eight CCV sites

Vermont Student Assistance Corp. and the Community College of Vermont are teaming up to offer financial aid workshops at eight CCV sites across the state beginning Feb. 1. VSAC counselors and college aid professionals will meet with students and their families to assist with filing out the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms (FAFSA) as well as the Vermont grant application.

The sessions (32 in all) will be held at CCV academic centers in Brattleboro, Middlebury, Montpelier, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, Upper Valley (White River Junction) and Winooski on:

• Saturday, Feb.1, 10 a.m. to noon
• Thursday, Feb. 6, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 6, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, May 15, 4 to 6 p.m.

Students and parents should each bring the following: Social Security number; most recent federal tax return; most recent W-2 or year-end pay stub; untaxed income records (child support); current checking and savings account balances; home value and debt (if applicable); business value and debt (if applicable); investment value (if applicable) and Alien Registration Card (if not a U.S. citizen).

For priority registration, call 800-642-3177 and ask for Outreach. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. For directions, visit www.ccv.edu/find.

Black River museum uses Finnish Collection for school project

The Black River Academy Museum is developing pilot educational projects based on Finnish immigration in Vermont in the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century. The pilots are part of the Common Core Curriculum for sixth graders, middle and high school students in Ludlow tying together the fields of social studies, language and arts.

Photograph discovered in the Finnish Collection at BRAM. Recognize a face? If so, phone; 802-228-5050, email; glbrehm@tds.net or contact the museum at www. bramvt.org

Donated and assembled by members of the Ludlow’s Finnish-American Society, the museum has the largest collection of Finnish artifacts and memorabilia in the state. Students will use these resources to portray Vermont’s Finnish life and culture.

BRAM is looking for volunteers to write Volume Two of the History of Ludlow, covering the 1900s to today. John Bremer, board member and university history professor, will oversee the project. Volunteers will write, conduct research and organize notes.

For information on the pilot program or to join the historical research call 802-228-5050, email glbrehm@tds.net or visit the web site www.bramvt.org.

— Compiled by Susan Lampe-Wilson