News Release
Nov. 12, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lauren Manary
lauren@fortpolkprogress.com
415-933-9975
Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce presents Shreveport Opera Xpress
The following is a press release from the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce.

LEESVILLE, LA -- The Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce continues its dedication and support of the Education Initiative by partnering with the Vernon Parish Arts Council to enhance the Arts programs in our Vernon Parish schools.  The Chamber and Arts Council are co-sponsoring the Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) coming to Vernon Parish on Monday, Nov. 16th as they perform for two different elementary schools, Faith Training Christian Academy and South Polk Elementary.
 
The Alta & John Franks Foundation Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX) program is the educational and outreach touring program of Shreveport Opera. It is the only program of its kind in the state of Louisiana and they bring opera directly to schools throughout Louisiana as well as in East Texas and South Arkansas. Through SOX, Shreveport Opera works to fulfill its mission to provide educational programming and outreach to children, youth and adults in the Ark-La-Tex region; SOX reaches new audiences and makes opera accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic, racial, geographic, or any other factors. This is its 16th season!
 
SOX resident artists for the 2015-2016 season are: Suzanne Grogan, soprano; Gillian Cotter, mezzo-soprano; John Riesen, tenor; Dan Ewart, baritone; and Neill Campbell, pianist.

SOX program for the Vernon Parish Schools will be:Stop, Bully! - a world-premiere, 45-minute opera for children in grades Pre-K - 5th. Children will learn the important lessons of acceptance, individuality, and inclusiveness while engaging them to dialogue, be a part of the solution and commit to a Bully-Free School.

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Fort Polk Progress is a regional community organization that takes a proactive stance against budget-driven U.S. Army troop reductions by maintaining relationships and partnering with decision makers in Congress, at the Pentagon and at the state level, ensuring that the most up to date information concerning Fort Polk and the surrounding communities is used in decisions concerning the base. In addition, Fort Polk Progress actively markets the base to the military as the most cost effective place to provide soldiers with the best training possible and strives to help ensure the best possible quality of life for soldiers, civilians and their families. Most recently, Fort Polk Progress has spear-headed an Education Initiative, which acknowledges exceptional educational achievements in the region and pursues continued excellence in education for military families throughout the region. 

 

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