MHS fine arts teacher Lori Van Scyoc wears many hats

Lori Van Scyoc is on a path that would rival that of a super woman. The new Maricopa High School teacher has risen to the challenge of being the school’s drama, choir and art teacher. She is wearing many hats in the fine arts department, teaching students to act, sing and express themselves creatively.

Van Scyoc is from Evansville, Ind., where she was born and raised. She has a degree in interior design and a B.A. from the University of Southern Indiana in theatre, speech communication and visual arts. Currently she is midway through a master’s degree in administration from Grand Canyon University.

Van Scyoc and her husband Brad moved to Maricopa in June with two of her children, Audrey, 16, a sophomore, and Lindsey, 17, a senior. She has two sons, Patrick, a student majoring in theatre at the University of Evansville, and Jeff, 30, who, according to Van Scyoc, “has blessed her with grandchildren.”

She chose Maricopa for its small town qualities and is thrilled with how welcome she and her family have been made to feel.

Daughter Audrey said, “It’s a lot bigger (than we thought), but I like it.” Van Scyoc added that she “loves the town.”

Van Scyoc spent two years teaching high school special education and seven years as an arts teacher, at the same time working with choirs and theatrical productions. In addition, she has taught interior design at Ivy Tech College in Indiana.

She has a full schedule for performances and activities for Maricopans to enjoy. First up will be a melodrama called “Last Stage from Tumbleweed Gulch,” which will run October 24-25 in the high school’s multi-purpose room.

Other dates include:

– “A Christmas Carol” on December 12 and 13, 2008
– Winter Choir Concert on December 18, 2008
– A Night of Music and Romance on February 13, 2009 (a dinner show for couples, featuring music and romantic scenes)
– “Once on this Island,” a musical, March 20 and 21, 2009
– Spring Choir Concert on May 5, 2009

There are also plans for dinner theatre and student-directed one act plays. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Lori Van Scyoc at [email protected].

Photo by Carrie Vargas