News Briefs: Youth musicians train at prestigious academy; Highland Park earns EV honor; Cross-country coach wins Regina honor

Young musicians Isaac Rapp, of Winnetka, and William Welch, of Northfield, spent two weeks in July in Door County, Wisconsin, studying at the prestigious Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

Rapp and Welch, who are students at New Trier High School, were among 54 musicians from throughout the country to attend the Big Band Jazz I session at this academy, which supports a mission to provide intensive, performance-based instruction to promising young musicians by immersing them in a professional, mentoring environment.

According to a release from the academy, its performance center is a residential summer music academy for advanced young musicians. With a performance emphasis, the release says, students are taught by nationally known performers and educators during the day, and perform in concerts alongside them at night.

Birch Creek is celebrating its 50th concert season in 2025 and reportedly supports a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 2:1.

Highland Park lauded for EV readiness

The City of Highland Park was one of 16 Illinois communities presented Aug. 4 with the Bronze EV Ready designation from ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.

The honor is given for a commitment to enhance the accessibility of electric-vehicle use.

According to information from the City, ComEd and the caucus launched the EV Readiness Program in 2022 to prepare municipalities to accommodate the growing number of EVs in Illinois. Of the more than 140,000 currently registered EVs in Illinois, the majority reportedly are in ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory.

“By learning from each round and improving the program along the way, the caucus is helping communities like ours turn ambition into action — and laying the groundwork for a robust, equitable EV ecosystem across northern Illinois,” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, who is also executive board chair of the caucus.

Highland Park was also recognized for its participation in ComEd’s Fleet Electrification Assessment, which helps communities plan the transition to an all-electric fleet.

Regina teacher wins coach of the year award

Regina Dominican has named English teacher and cross-country coach Annie Tully its 2024–2025 Mike Small Coach of the Year, an annual honor that recognizes a coach at the high school.

Tully led Regina’s cross country team through a historic season in the fall of 2024, when the Panthers won their first Independent School League championship and advanced to the IHSA championships for the first time since 2014.

Tully also is an assistant coach for track and field, a curriculum leader, class moderator and club sponsor and, according to a press release from the Wilmette school, she “exemplifies dedication to the Regina Dominican mission.”

Tully’s daughter Alice is a Regina student, and her husband, Conan, is a member of the school’s booster club.

She was recognized at the school’s coaches meeting on Aug. 6.

“Congratulations to coach Tully on receiving the Mike Small Coach of the Year Award,” said Brian Mancuso, Regina Dominican athletic director, in the release. “In addition to being an outstanding coach, coach Tully is also an exceptional teacher. Her dedication to our students both in the classroom and on the field is inspiring. She has elevated our cross-country program and is truly deserving of this recognition.”

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.