Teacher Wins Bravo Award for Disabled Students’ Music Classes

Michael Monagan of Santa Monica is one of two Southern California teachers honored this year by the Music Center’s Education Division for their work in arts education.

The Music Center presented Monagan with its 1990-91 BRAVO award in recognition of his work as a teacher of songwriting, singing and performing to students at Widney High School in West Adams. Widney is a Los Angeles Unified School District facility for students with orthopedic handicaps and other disabilities.

The BRAVO Award was created to honor teachers for leadership, creativity and dedication in making the arts an integral part of their curriculum. Monagan was one of 118 teachers from five counties nominated by their principals for this year’s award. The other recipient was Patti Post, a visual arts teacher at Ventura High School.

Monagan has introduced a program of teaching his students to write and perform songs as a means of developing basic skills. His classes have released an album, “The Kids of Widney High,” and a music video, featuring songs written and performed by the students. The students also perform for local audiences.

“I believe that creative self-expression is an essential part of the education of . . . every student,” Monagan said. “Whether this creative self-expression comes in music, theater or drama, every student needs the encouragement to express themselves in a supportive atmosphere.”

As a youth, Monagan worked with handicapped children in the Special Olympics program in Washington. “There’s just something that I like about it and it’s something that comes easily to me,” he said.

A teacher for 12 years, Monagan came to Widney High School in 1987.

Monagan plays in a band and writes songs in his spare time. He has also written a children’s book, due out later this year, about the making of the album at Widney.

Two UCLA scientists, physicist Charles Kennel and neurologist William Oldendorf have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Kennel and Oldendorf were among 60 new members recognized for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is based on election by academy members and is one of the highest honors bestowed on American scientists.

Kennel, professor and former chairman of UCLA’s Department of Physics, is internationally renowned for his research on plasma physics, space physics and astrophysics.

Oldendorf, a professor of neurology and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UCLA’s School of Medicine, was recognized for his pioneering contributions to brain research. In 1961, he wrote the first scientific paper describing a model for a CAT scanner.

Robert Wright, professor of organization and management at Pepperdine’s School of Business and Management, has been elected to the Fulbright Assn.’s board of directors.

The Fulbright program awards grants to American students, teachers and scholars to study, teach and conduct research around the world.

Wright will represent the organization’s chapters for the West Coast region.

Crossroads School of Arts teacher Heiichiro Ohyama has been named a co-winner of the 1991 Gruber Award for Excellence in Chamber Music Teaching.

Ohyama has been a principal violist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and professor of music at UC Santa Barbara during his professional career. He has also served as music director for the Crossroads Chamber Orchestra and chamber music program in Santa Monica.

Scott Sibley, executive chef of the Marina del Rey Marriot, was honored as “Executive Chef of the Year” for Marriot’s Western/Pacific region.

Sibley was recognized for implementing his creativity, leadership and management skills. He has 14 years of experience in the culinary industry.

The Madrigal Singers of Beverly Hills High School were winners of the Cherry Blossom 1991 Heritage Music Festival in Washington.

The singers, winning gold medals for concert choir and a vocal jazz group, were also selected as the outstanding choral group and ensemble for choral, orchestral and band competitiveness. They were also presented with the Adjudicator’s Award for achieving exceptionally high scores against national standards set by the American Choral Directors Assn.

Santa Monica resident Alexander Man was presented with the Lawrence Enersen Award by the National Arbor Day Foundation on April 27.

Man was honored for his determination to save endangered trees. He works with neighborhood associations and environmental groups on the Westside.