One would never suspect a group of women called “Ye Merrie Olde Players” of being sneaky but, thanks to their deception, HP Arts was able to surprise Shirley Kochman when they named her as the 2012 Arts Advocate Award recipient at their General Membership meeting held Tuesday, April 3^rd at HPHS.  Ms. Kochman thought she was at Highland Park High School simply to provide musical entertainment with her friends prior to the meeting.  Little did she know that her companions had kept the real reason for their performance a secret.  

Ms. Kochman is a Highland Park High School graduate and holds a B.S. in Music Literature from U.T.  She served the district in many capacities over the years, beginning with teaching music at Hyer Elementary in the 1960's. During that time, she completed her Masters in Counseling from what is now the University of North Texas and became the 6th grade counselor the same year the 6th grade first became a part of the new Highland Park Middle School and continued as a middle school counselor at what became McCulloch Middle School until her retirement in 1991.  She was the first counselor for the district trained as a special education counselor and was able to lend her compassionate disposition and calm demeanor to children who were truly in crisis, as well as those you just needed some reassuring words and a pat on the back.

Throughout her teaching career however, she never neglected her love for music and the arts.  Ms. Kochman was a founding member and violinist for both the Richardson Symphony and the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra and has played with Ye Merrie Olde Players since her retirement.  This group performs for functions all over the area and all funds it receives are donated to Meals on Wheels or the SMU Women's Scholarship Fund.  Ms. Kochman has been a driver for Meals on Wheels and is a certified member of the City of University Park's Community Emergency Rescue Team.  For HPISD she has been a community member of the District Leadership Committee, President of the Association for Childhood Education, served on the Alcohol Awareness Committee when it was begun and served as the HP Arts representative for McCulloch from its inception until her retirement.  During that time, she was instrumental in the acquisition of the Steinway grand piano for the middle school, which was purchased with funding from HP Arts as well as special gifts.  And as if that weren't enough, she has been a judge for the food contests at the State Fair of Texas since 1990!

HP Arts is pleased to recognize Shirley Kochman for her years of arts advocacy in HP -- for all she has given, this award is long overdue!