[quote]By Hailey Hagemaster
News Editor
Graphic by Ana Biccoli[/quote]

Metea’s music department was excited to receive their well deserved Grammy at the music awards presented by Justin Roberts, the president of the Chicago chapter of recording academy, on Wednesday night in the main gym.The night consisted of Metea accepting the Grammy and money, as well as the students receiving their letterman jacket patches.

The presenter, Justin Roberts, lives in Chicago and is up for two Grammy’s himself. He was honored to present the Grammy to Metea, and thrilled that it was a school from Illinois. Metea is one of three schools in the country to earn a top Grammy Signature Schools Gold Award.

“I think that everyone can agree that we liked how [Roberts] connected with us and recognized everyone. He seemed extremely eager to talk and was just as excited as we were,” Wind Ensemble member Kate Velazquez said.

There were a few performances scattered throughout the night, and plenty of celebration. Food was offered in the commons after all of the awards were all handed out. Freshman got their first patch while the sophomores got their letters. As for juniors, they received their shield patch while seniors got personalized plaques for the four years they were in the music department.

“The whole point of the evening is bringing students together in one place and recognizing them all,” fine arts department chair Donald Devany said.

Roberts attends the Grammy’s every year as a singer and songwriter. The academy he is president of includes not only Chicago, but some Midwest cities such as Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. The Recording Academy has two other chapters located in New York and Los Angeles.

All grades 9-12 in the music department attended the awards, along with their parents, so the event was held in the gymnasium. Band, choir, and orchestra students were all acknowledged during the ceremony.

“In music, no one sits on the bench; everyone has to go for it,” Devany said.