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Peace Announces One-Woman Show as Heart of the School

Anna Reynes, Queen of Peace High School’s media and theatre teacher, received the 2007-2008 Heart of the School Award on Oct. 29. The Heart of the School Award is an annual honor voted on by Peace faculty and staff and requires the recipient to demonstrate a commitment to Peace students and the Sinsinawa Dominican values of truth, compassion, justice, partnership and community that goes above and beyond.

Anna “MG” Reynes, Queen of Peace High School’s 2007-2008 Heart of the School honoree, participates in the annual faculty assembly, dressed as super hero of the arts. Reynes was chosen as the school’s award winner this year because of her passion for teaching the fine arts and unwavering commitment to Peace students.

Burbank, IL – November 5, 2007 – Through her humble tears, Queen of Peace theatre, media, dance, and technology instructor, Anna Reynes – or AMG as her theatre students know her – graciously accepted Queen of Peace High School’s 2007-2008 Heart of the School Award on Oct. 29.

“I really wish I could be more of the person everyone says I am. I wish I could do even more for this school. Although I may not communicate my gratefulness and love for each and every one of you as openly and as often as I should, I do admire you and this wonderful place,” Reynes told her colleagues upon acceptance of the award.

The Heart of the School Award is given once a year to an experienced teacher with outstanding creativity and heart. This is Reynes’ ninth year at Peace. Through her years there, she has produced six musicals and worked as the theatre, media, technology, Spanish, and health instructor.

Sarah Geinosky, member of Peace’s Theatre Company, put it best when she said, “Ms. Reynes shows a love and passion for what she does. She enjoys every minute of her work, being able to develop unique friendships with students and developing the talent and creativity within from them. She is a one-woman show and the best role model I have ever had.”

The Heart of the School Award is an annual honor, and the winner is nominated and chosen by his or her colleagues. It is clear that Reynes’ colleagues share Geinosky’s admiration and respect her passion for the arts.

“Anna offers students something very unique. She shows the girls how to be better, more giving leaders. She guides them through this journey of the arts and touches their hearts deeply. Because of that guidance and mentoring, her students touch our hearts just as deeply through their fine arts performances,” Sr. Helen McAllister, a Peace Christian Living teacher, noted.

“I’ve known Anna for eight years, and I am still in awe of how versatile and multitalented this woman is. She shows the girls what confidence is and how to find it. She has given herself to this community entirely, and it is a privilege to be her colleague,” Nancy Halbauer, Peace’s Dean of Women, stated.