COOPER SCHOOL STUDENT RAISES FUNDS FOR BROTHER TO RUN MARATHON AND SUPPORT CDLS – Jackson Larance, a senior at The John Cooper School, spearheaded a fundraiser in the Upper School as part of the Class of 2012’s commitment to help others as part of monthly “May We Help?” outreach efforts. The September fundraiser was held to support his brother, Jonathan Larance, a 2003 graduate of The Woodlands High School, who ran the 26.2-mile Chicago Marathon to raise funds for the Cornelia de Lang Syndrome Foundation Inc.

The Larance family has a family member with CdLS, a genetic disorder that causes a range of physical, cognitive and medical challenges and affects 1 in 10,000 people.

Jackson presented a check for approximately $1,250 to his aunt, Lisa Thompson, and his cousin, Emma Thompson, at an Upper School assembly in September. The funds were raised through a Dress Down Day for students in grades 9-12.

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LOCAL SCHOOLS COMPETE IN TOMMY TUNE AWARDS – Theatre Under The Stars announced that 45 Houston area high schools are competing in the 10th annual Tommy Tune Awards. Developed by TUTS in 2002, the Tommy Tune Awards honor musical theater excellence at the high school level, celebrating outstanding student achievement in 15 categories.

During the 2011-12 school year, a team of Houston-based theater professionals evaluate the participating high school productions and announce the winners at a Tony Awards-style ceremony to be held April 17, 2012, at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. The event will spotlight musical numbers from the nominated shows as well as award presentations to the performers, directors, choreographers, orchestras and designers who have defined excellence throughout the school year.

One of the most prestigious recognitions of the Tommy Tune Awards, the Best Leading Actor and Actress will represent TUTS, all expenses paid, as they go on to compete at the national level for the Jimmy Award at the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City in June 2012.

Schools in the The Woodlands area competing in the 10th annual Tommy Tune Awards are: John Cooper School, Beauty and the Beast, Nov. 17-19 at 7 p.m.; Woodlands High School, Singing in the Rain.

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COOPER’S SPAM CLUB ASSISTS LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER – In light of recent wildfire outbreaks in the area, The John Cooper Upper School’s Students Preventing Animal Mistreatment Club (SPAM) held its annual pet food drive, and received 4,416 pounds of pet food for the Montgomery County Animal Shelter.

“There have been additional animals displaced due to the fires, so we decided to go ahead and hold the drive now,” said faculty sponsor Shannon Hill. “Given that there are no less than 800 animals in the shelter daily, that much food should be enough to feed them for 18 days.”