Group plans to honor late educators

SAUGUS – With approval granted from the School Committee to rename the high school auditorium, Lemoine-Mitchell Performing Arts Group organizer Ted Brierley said it?s time for “the real fun to start.”Brierley, a former band student of Jerome Mitchell, said it was “a big day” for the combined Lemoine-Mitchell group when the School Committee decided to change its school naming policy to honor those with “lifetime achievements,” which made it possible for the auditorium to be named after Mitchell and Nancy Lemoine, the two performing arts teachers who were beloved by many in the Saugus community and died last year. The committee made a final vote to approve the naming in March.The group of about 20 supporters combined efforts last August to commemorate both individuals, hoping to stimulate enthusiasm and build momentum for the performing arts in Saugus Public Schools.?I?d like to have people see it as a place that community can be involved,” said Brierley.Brierley said now that the naming has been approved, the group will meet with the School Committee to make signage and plaques describing Lemoine and Mitchell?s dedication to the performing arts in Saugus to be posted outside the performing arts center.School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed said whatever is mounted, it must be made portable in case the state approves a new high school building.Reed said her committee members would be meeting with the group?s representatives in the co-curricular subcommittee before any ideas come before the School Committee.Reed said the group and committee members would need to pay extra attention to the way the name is displayed so future students would be aware of what the pair did for the town.?Right now it means a lot because Nancy Lemoine and Jerome Mitchell touched a lot of lives,” said Reed. “As time goes on, you have to remind students who they were. When people are honored in that way, you don?t want to lose the history that goes with it.”Brierley said he hoped that in naming the auditorium after Lemoine and Mitchell, students would be encouraged to pursue their passions, as he had been taught by Mitchell as a Saugus High School student in the 1960s.?He taught music, but he also taught life skills on focus and rehearsal to do what it takes to succeed in what you?re doing,” Brierley said.One of the first things the group will be doing, Brierley said, is hosting a contest open to everyone in Saugus to create a logo for the performing arts center that will combine the image of “drama masks, the G-clef and the initials L and M for Lemoine-Mitchell.”?We thought it was an excellent way to begin to draw attention to the arts in town,” said Brierley.Brierley said many in the group have expressed a desire to hold a dedication concert in the fall, featuring the town?s music, drama and choral groups. Though Brierley said it?s early in the process, the group also discussed ideas to assist with some of the room?s needs, either before or after a new school is built. Brierley added that he?s hoping that someday the group will be able to sponsor some of the groups or give out scholarships.