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CAST: Cougar Arts Support Team

 

Graphic of Cougar Arts Support Team Logo

You don't need an audition to join this CAST.

Supporting
Art • Band • Choir • Orchesis Dance Company • Orchestra • Theater

Our mission is to support the Vernon Hills High School Fine Arts Department in providing a rigorous, supportive and innovative environment for students and faculty.

You can support this mission by becoming a CAST member today! See below for details on becoming a supporting member of CAST.  Not sure if you already joined CAST?  A list of members can be found at the bottom of the page.

CAST Membership Info

Membership Fee: $40

Purchase Your CAST Membership Online ($40)

What Your Membership Supports
CAST funds, including your $40 membership fee, support an enhanced arts experience for your student, providing dynamic and unique opportunities for learning, performance and artistic development that would otherwise not be available. Additionally, CAST provides student meals and snacks for events as well as student scholarships, among other opportunities for the arts students throughout the year.

Benefits of Membership

Early Bird Ticketing for all pre-sale Fine Arts events (including the Holiday Concert), a free download from a concert of your choice, an eye-catching VHHS Fine Arts decal, and acknowledgment in arts programs and at events throughout the school year.

Why should I join CAST as a parent member?
If you believe that a strong fine arts program is an integral part of your student's educational, social and artistic development, then you should join CAST. Building one of the best Fine Arts programs in the state takes dedication and a firm commitment to arts education from teachers, administrators, students, and parents like you. To help maintain this tradition of excellence, parents and staff formed CAST, the Cougar Arts Support Team. We invite all parents to support arts education and join CAST as a parent member.

Board Reports

2025-26 CAST Board

Position Person Email
Officers
President Jackie Lanscioni Email
Vice President Lauren Katzman Email
Secretary

Holly Marder

Email
Treasurer Carolyn Husnick Email
Department Representatives
Art Kris Kaminsky Email
Band Kasia Olson Email
Choir Gwen Babb Email
Orchesis Dance Company Jaime Block Email
Orchestra Michele Gaus Ehning Email
Theatre TBD Email
Committee Chairpersons
Fine Arts Director Drew Russell Email
Membership Lauren Katzman Email
Music in the Park Coordinator Katie Sultan Email
Picnic Coordinator

Kasia Olson

Email
Restaurant Fundraising

TBD

Email 

Social Media Coordinator Gwen Babb Email
Spirit Wear TBD Email

2025-26 CAST Board Meeting Schedule

CAST board meetings are held in VHHS Conference Room 2701 on the first Thursday of the month. This meeting schedule is subject to change.

Meeting Dates: 
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at 6:30
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at 6:30
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at 6:00** time adjusted for Choir Concert
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at 6:00** time adjusted for Band Concert
No meeting in January -- (winter break)
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 6:00** time adjusted for Winter Play
Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 6:30
Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 6:30
Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 6:30

CAST 2025-2026 Membership List