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People who can only do one thing really well don’t have to think too much about choosing a career. Those who are talented in many areas may have a problem.
Lara Ismert, Pittsburg, has a problem. The 2009 Pittsburg High School graduate plans to attend Pittsburg State University in the fall, but hasn’t decided yet on her major.
“I’m strong in math and science, so I’ve thought about engineering,” said Ismert, who maintained a 4.0 grade point average at PHS and participated in the National Honor Society, American Mathematics competition, Scholars Bowl, Math Relays and the Technology Student Association.
But Ismert is also gifted musically, and confessed that she’s “kind of got my heart set on a career in musical theater.”
She is the daughter of Rhonda and Tony White, Pittsburg, and James and Joy Ismert, Wichita. Her grandparents are Marvin and Dolores McCurdy, Leavenworth, Bernice white, Garnett, Jim Ismert, Wichita, and the late Priscilla Ismert.
“I began taking piano lessons from my neighbor across the street, Dorothy Lampton, when I was 6,” Ismert said. “She passed away soon, so I began lessons with Donna Lyerla when I was 7, starting in piano. Along the way, Mrs. Lyerla convinced me to sing.”
She accumulated numerous trophies during her years at the Lyerla Music Studio, including three National Federation of Music Clubs gold cups in both piano solo and music solo, and two gold cups in musical theater vocal solo.
“I also got some trophies that Mrs. Lyerla gives to her students,” Ismert said. “One wall in my old bedroom at home is completely lined with trophies. I don’t need a shrine to myself — my mother did it.”
“Lara has lots of trophies, and she earned every one of them,” said Lyerla, who became a close friend as well as teacher.
Ismert also praised Susan Laushman, her PHS choir director, and Greg Shaw, PHS drama teacher. She won honors in the District Honors choir and at the state level for vocal solo and piano solo.
She performed in several PHS productions, including “Seussical the Musical,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Diary of Anne Frank” and “Grease,” and wrote a winning grant proposal for funding a school drama production of “Phat Girls,” which addresses the problems of eating disorders among teen girls.
Ismert has been singing the National Anthem since the age of 8 for gymnastics meets, swim meets, Pittsburg Community Middle School and PHS basketball games, wrestling tournaments, Young Author Awards and Special Olympics events.
She was a Pittsburg Idol finalist in 2004, 2005 and 2006, a Fourth of July Summer Sing-Off finalist in 2006 and 2009, and auditioned for American Idol in 2008.
She recently received a $500 Fine Arts in the Four States Senior Scholarship and Concert Award. Ismert and the other winner, Eileen Chase of Iola, were featured in concerts at the Iola First Presbyterian Church and PHS.
Ismert plans to audition for a spot in the PSU Chorale Choir, and hopes to audition to be a piano student of Dr. Reena Berger. But she’s still not sure of her major, especially after a recent trip to New York City during which she saw five shows.
“I’d love to go to NYU and major in performing arts,” Ismert said. “I feel that engineering would be a sure thing for me, and trying for a career in musical theater would be a risk. But I’ve never been one to steer away from a challenge.”
People who can only do one thing really well don’t have to think too much about choosing a career. Those who are talented in many areas may have a problem.
Lara Ismert, Pittsburg, has a problem. The 2009 Pittsburg High School graduate plans to attend Pittsburg State University in the fall, but hasn’t decided yet on her major.
“I’m strong in math and science, so I’ve thought about engineering,” said Ismert, who maintained a 4.0 grade point average at PHS and participated in the National Honor Society, American Mathematics competition, Scholars Bowl, Math Relays and the Technology Student Association.
But Ismert is also gifted musically, and confessed that she’s “kind of got my heart set on a career in musical theater.”
She is the daughter of Rhonda and Tony White, Pittsburg, and James and Joy Ismert, Wichita. Her grandparents are Marvin and Dolores McCurdy, Leavenworth, Bernice white, Garnett, Jim Ismert, Wichita, and the late Priscilla Ismert.
“I began taking piano lessons from my neighbor across the street, Dorothy Lampton, when I was 6,” Ismert said. “She passed away soon, so I began lessons with Donna Lyerla when I was 7, starting in piano. Along the way, Mrs. Lyerla convinced me to sing.”
She accumulated numerous trophies during her years at the Lyerla Music Studio, including three National Federation of Music Clubs gold cups in both piano solo and music solo, and two gold cups in musical theater vocal solo.
“I also got some trophies that Mrs. Lyerla gives to her students,” Ismert said. “One wall in my old bedroom at home is completely lined with trophies. I don’t need a shrine to myself — my mother did it.”
“Lara has lots of trophies, and she earned every one of them,” said Lyerla, who became a close friend as well as teacher.
Ismert also praised Susan Laushman, her PHS choir director, and Greg Shaw, PHS drama teacher. She won honors in the District Honors choir and at the state level for vocal solo and piano solo.
She performed in several PHS productions, including “Seussical the Musical,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Diary of Anne Frank” and “Grease,” and wrote a winning grant proposal for funding a school drama production of “Phat Girls,” which addresses the problems of eating disorders among teen girls.
Ismert has been singing the National Anthem since the age of 8 for gymnastics meets, swim meets, Pittsburg Community Middle School and PHS basketball games, wrestling tournaments, Young Author Awards and Special Olympics events.
She was a Pittsburg Idol finalist in 2004, 2005 and 2006, a Fourth of July Summer Sing-Off finalist in 2006 and 2009, and auditioned for American Idol in 2008.
She recently received a $500 Fine Arts in the Four States Senior Scholarship and Concert Award. Ismert and the other winner, Eileen Chase of Iola, were featured in concerts at the Iola First Presbyterian Church and PHS.
Ismert plans to audition for a spot in the PSU Chorale Choir, and hopes to audition to be a piano student of Dr. Reena Berger. But she’s still not sure of her major, especially after a recent trip to New York City during which she saw five shows.
“I’d love to go to NYU and major in performing arts,” Ismert said. “I feel that engineering would be a sure thing for me, and trying for a career in musical theater would be a risk. But I’ve never been one to steer away from a challenge.”
