Long-time choir teacher Patrice Sollenberger, more popularly known as “Solly” will end her 21-year career at SM North this year.
“Teaching at North has been the most rewarding experience of my life,” she began. “The student body are such great human beings. I know all schools say that, but there is just something about our students. They have an understanding about what it means to work hard, to care about things, to really work and delve into [the music]. It has just been incredible to work with these young adults. I have done what I came to do. I feel very, very fulfilled and grateful to have been here. I’m overwhelmed at the outpouring of affection.”
Her plans for after retirement include being with her father and continue to work within Kansas City’s music scene.
“The biggest thing will be having time with my father and my family,” she said. “I think I will plan to give private voice lessons in my home to any students in the area. I will teach private lessons. Then, I will be working with the Kansas City Chorale, which is the professional choir I’ve been with for 20 years. Also, I have a church choir. I’m the director of music at my church and I will continue to do that. Also, I will probably be singing with the symphony chorus- I’ve been doing that for a couple of years. I will also assist the director. He is a good friend and he has asked many times for me to step in and help him. There’s a position they are creating, so I’m kind of looking at that as a possibility. So, I’ll be working. I’m not going to not work. It just won’t be every day, like this.”
On Monday, May 1, the choir room was named the “Patrice Sollenberger Choir Room.”
Other Shawnee Mission North teachers who are retiring include:
Greg Brantman- 38 years in SMSD
Rebecca Floyd- 23 years in SMSD
Juanita Fields- Five years in SMSD
Jan Sidelnik- 20 years in SMSD
Other teachers who are leaving North:
Counselor Daniel Meara
Language Arts teacher Ashley Brown
Shawnee Mission North teachers moving departments within the school:
Nancy Hadley- moving from being a U.S. History teacher back to counseling.