La Follette and Memorial High Schools' Musicals Honored with 2025 Jerry Awards

Students and staff from both Vel Phillips Memorial and La Follette High Schools have been recognized in the 2025 Jerry Awards, Wisconsin’s top honors for high school musical theater.

Presented by the Overture Center for the Arts, the Jerry Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in student productions across the state. This year, MMSD students stood out for their creativity, professionalism, and dedication on stage and behind the scenes.

Memorial's production of "Something Rotten!" earned the cast and crew the program’s highest honors – the Wisconsin high school theatre version of an Academy Award for Best Picture – Outstanding Musical. This marks the second year in a row the school has received the award, after last year's rendition of "The Addams Family." Senior Laurel Streekstra was also recognized in "Something Rotten!" with a Spirit Award, which highlights students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment, and positivity throughout the rehearsal and performance process.

The production’s success was a team effort, brought to life by directors Eliav Goldman and Shawn McMahon, musical directors Lisa Schrock and Eliav Goldman, choreographer Sara Bartlett, scenic designer Frank Schneeberger, lighting designer Martha Wildman, costume designer Allison Hinze, and sound designer Kyle Spradling.

“Receiving the Outstanding Musical award is a reflection of the incredible talent, hard work, and collaboration that went into every aspect of this production,” Goldman said. “It’s a moment of pride for our entire school community.”

La Follette High School seniors Caroline Talis and KJ Jones each received Spirit Awards for their work in "Chicago: Teen Edition". 

“We were so excited to share this classic American musical with the community. And even more excited to share the amazing talent we have at La Follette," La Follette Theater Director David Pausch, who also directed the production, said during the show's production in March.

All Jerry Award honorees will be celebrated at a ceremony at the Overture Center on Sunday, June 8.

In MMSD, performing arts are more than extracurricular; they’re central to helping students build confidence, express themselves, and connect with their communities. Congratulations to all involved on these well-earned honors!