News And Events

March Reception News

The home of Phyllis Failor was the venue for the March reception—a lovely and comfortable place. A big thank you goes to Phyllis and also to Gay Saunders who organized the bountiful table for the reception.

The following are the people who helped Gay, providing the food: Josephine Hays, Mary Mohler, Ingrid Philbrick, Sarah Atwood, Eleanor Monroe, Allison Ellison, Norma Jean Kritsonis, Julie Albright and, of course, Gay Saunders.

It was a wonderful evening with great food, great drinks (thanks to Joe and Steve) and great attendance including three of the past scholarship winners (thank you, Loveday). A real success!

—Marlene Holbrook

 

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Shakespeare Committee Report

Event Recap Photo

Shakespeare Winner Abby Carter

Last month our branch hosted our 27th Annual Shakespeare Competition at the Frye Art Museum. We had a great group of students that participated this year. Besides having high schools from around the Seattle area, we had Oak Harbor High School participate for the first time!!

The winners this year are as follows:

  • First Place: Interlake High School Abby Carter
  • Second Place: Overlake High School Emily Lautch
  • Third Place: Oak Harbor High School Nikeesa Gooding

See photos of the event in the photos section. We want to congratulate all of the participants for such wonderful performances.

—Susan Wilson, Chairperson

 

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National Board Members

Good to know that we now have two Seattle branch members on the ESU National Board. William Maschmeier and Loveday Conquest represent the very best in terms of service to both our branch and the national organization. We are fortunate to have both of them on our local board as well. Thank you for your many efforts.

 
 

ARTS AWARD NAMED FOR ESU MEMBER, Richard Engstrom

The PAFE arts education annual music festival has named their outstanding opera singer scholarship vocal award in honor of Richard Engstrom, as a lifetime honor, in recognition of his over 40 years in voice and opera. He studied voice for 14 years and after a brief vocal career became twice Vice-President of Education and Communications for the Seattle Opera Guild, the last President of the Seattle Minded Arts Supporters in Harmony and co-founder of the "Washington State Community Theater Association and also a past' President of Washington Association of Theater Artists. Additionally, for 12 years he has cast opera singers internationally and produced and coordinated for opera companies and has performed in 7 Shakespeare productions with two seasons at Ashland and was a judge for the Utah Shakespeare Festival in the summer of 2003 in St. George, Utah.

The PAFE Board honored him at their February 11, 2014, Executive Board Meeting and the lifetime voice award will be given out every May.

 

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Report of the 2013 ESU-US Annual General Meeting

All members of the Seattle Branch can be proud of the Planning Committee's year-long efforts to host an outstanding national conference. The Washington Athletic Club was just the right size for the number of attendees; the newly remodeled facilities, the Crystal room especially shone on our main speaker events.

 

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The English-Speaking Union

Seattle Branch

Seattle Branch Landmark Photo

Welcome to the ESU

The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, and members.

To find out more about our programs click here.