[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 86 (Monday, May 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING MICHAEL SHORT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2023

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication and 
passion of Michael Short.
  Michael Short has been involved in the Orange Unified School District 
(OUSD) since the mid-1970s. He taught elementary choirs at Cambridge, 
West Orange, and Prospect and some of the infamous musicals that they 
have produced were ``Let George Do It'' and ``It's All About Music''.
  He obtained his bachelor's degree from Chapman College in Orange, 
California in 1979 and his master's degree in choral conducting from 
California State University. Fullerton in 1988.
  In August of 1979, he was hired as a full-time music teacher at 
Portola Junior High and in 1982, he created the Chamber Singers at 
Orange High School (OHS) while still running a full-time program at 
Portola. He was offered a full-time position by Orange High School in 
August of 1982. In April of 1982, the Chamber Singers sang at the 
wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Short.
  In 1988, he became the Director of Music at the First United 
Methodist Church of Orange, down the block from his home. From 1990 to 
1993, he was one of the Chairman of the American Choral Directors 
Association High School Honor Choirs and continues to work with the 
American Choral Directors Association in many capacities over the last 
three decades.
  In February of 2002, he received the ``Bravo Award'' from the Los 
Angeles Music Center for his excellence in music education and was 
named ``Teacher of the Year 2004'' by OUSD.
  In October of 2005, he was named ``Chapman University's Alumnus of 
the Year 2004'' and in 2006 he was named the City of Orange's ``Citizen 
of the Year for 2005'' by the Orange Chamber of Commerce.
  He continues to be involved in the arts in the Orange, California 
community. In 1995, he created and still conducts the ``City of Orange 
Tree Lighting and Candlelight Procession'' in downtown Orange every 
holiday season and the patriotic program ``Third of July'' every 
summer.
  The latest project to be a recipient to his enthusiasm and leadership 
is the Greater Orange Community Arts Theater (GOCAT) which is a venue 
to feature creative artists of the community. Even though he is 
retiring from Orange High School, he continues to be involved in the 
community and the arts.
  Currently, Michael is the President of the Western Division, American 
Choral Directors Association and he oversees the Western Region ACDA 
Conference to be held in Pasadena, California in March of 2024.
  Michael has been married to Vicki since 1982 and has two children, 
Katherine Hicks and Matthew Short. He and his wife are proud 
grandparents to three grandchildren as of August 2020.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and commemorating the 
outstanding career and accomplishments of Michael Short.

                          ____________________