By Staff
Catherine Elizabeth Van Wert, 11, is an up-and-coming accomplished young lady.
She performed as Costello in the Children's Performing Arts of Lakota production of "Abbot and Costello," and was cast as "Lucy" in the West Chester Youth Theater.
Catherine has a heavy schedule of performances to rehearse.
She is a butterfly in "Charlotte's Web," presented by the Children's Theatre of Mason, Ohio. She will perform Oct. 3-5.
Catherine will sing and dance in Tall Stacks, "Tom Sawyer" as Bertie at Sawyer Point in Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 15-19.
Catherine has been cast in the ballet production of "The Jungle Book" at the Taft Theatre in March 18-24 with the prestigious Children's Theatre of Cincinnati.
Catherine is a sixth grade honors student at St. Gabriel's Consolidated School in Glendale, Ohio, where she is a member of the advanced and honors band. Catherine is a member of her school's basketball team.
Catherine is the daughter of a former Dowagiac Union High School graduate, Linda Lawson, and her husband, Robert W. Van Wert Jr.
She resides with her parents in Liberty Township, Ohio.
She studies piano under the direction of Richard Van Dyke at the Cincinnati Music Academy.
Catherine has earned many awards for her piano accomplishments. She earned high honors for her performance on the Canadian Royal Conservatory Music Exam. She has earned more than eight "superior" awards for her performances in the Junior Music Experience in Cincinnati and has accumulated many other honor awards for her piano performances.
Catherine also takes voice lessons with Elisabeth Robertson at the Cincinnati Music Academy and is the lead soloist for St. Gabriel's Consolidated School's weekly children's Mass. She is an active member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, children's choir and an altar attendant.
Catherine is an advance honor roll student in Kumon math and reading and was recently presented awards for three years above grade level in reading and two years above grade in math.
Catherine was recently presented the Junior Girl Scout's bronze award for her participation in her troop's service project.
Her troop collected more than 1,000 pounds of food and supplies for the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati.
She was also awarded the Junior Girl Scout leadership award for developing her leadership skills in Girl Scouts and in her community.
Catherine was presented with the Girl Scout junior aide award for her service in helping bridge Brownies to Junior Girl Scout this past spring.
Catherine is a three-year member of the Girl Scout Cookie Club for selling more than 500 boxes of cookies.