Red Sox to honor Stoneham's former Fine Arts director
Published on July 23rd, 2008
WOBURN - The Boston Red Sox will honor former Stoneham Fine Arts Director Robert Lague by bestowing him with the organization's Most Valuable Teacher Award this coming weekend.
According to the Woburn resident, he was recently contacted by Red Sox officials, who informed him that former Stoneham high student Craig Polizzi nominated him from the honor.
Lague, who served as Stoneham's fine arts director for the past decade, retired at the end of this year.
The recognition includes rights to walk the field at Fenway Park, as well as four coveted tickets to this weekend's Red Sox vs. Yankees series. Polizzi, who graduated last spring with the SHS Class of 2008, will join Lague this Saturday at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox Most Valuable Teacher Award allows high school students to nominate their favorite teacher, coach, or staff member by writing a 500 word essay explaining why the educator deserves to be recognized.
This year, the organization plans to honor 12 such teachers or staff members during Saturday home games at Fenway Park.
"He was probably the best student I had," said Lague or Polizzi, who took the retired educator's drama and music appreciation classes.
"He was always the first one up on the stage, so he kind of inspired everyone," the Cronin Way resident added of his former student. "Plus, as a big guy, as a football player, he was taken seriously."
Lague, who had been vacationing in Portland, Maine, told The Daily Times that he experienced mixed feelings when he decided to conclude his career as an educator at the end of last June.
The Woburn resident, a New England Conservatory graduate, followed his father's footsteps over 40 years ago by becoming a music teacher. That family tradition has continued, as Lague's daughter, an English teacher in Beverly, has become the third Lague generation in the education profession.
His father, who Lague considers his mentor, was both the recent retiree's childhood piano teacher and his junior high and high school music instructor.
According to Lague, who also taught in both Lexington and Andover during the 31 years, he hasn't quite decided what to pursue in this next stage of his life, although he plans to continue serving as the director of the Lexington Pops Chorus and as choir director and organist at his local church.
The former fine arts director also hopes to return to Stoneham on occasion to participate in either the winter or spring concerts or the Carnival Ball.
"I don't feel different yet, because everything I've done so far this summer is what I've done every summer," the lifelong educator explained. "I think what will happen is I won't really miss it until September, when everyone else goes back [for a new school year]."
"I'm now open to see what's going on and what's open. I'm not going to fall off the face of the earth. I haven't really had a lot of time to think about it yet, even though we're already in July."
"I told them that I'm retired, but not dead. I'm still willing to play for them," said Lague, referring to his former students and co-workers. "
According to Stoneham High School Principal Edward Russo, who worked closely with Lague over the years, the fine arts director will be sorely missed.
Russo characterized the 10 year Stoneham teaching veteran as beloved amongst students and staff members, adding that his dedication and love for the profession was an inspiration to his co-workers.
The principal specifically recalled how much fun his chorus and band pupils had while participating in a regular trip to Disney World, where the pupils would perform in the Epcot Center.
A year afterward, Lague would organize a second trip to New York City, where his students would absorb the culture and excitement from two plays on Broadway.
"Bob Lague is an incredibly dedicated person to the staff, to the kids, and to everyone," the SHS principal remarked. "He does whatever he can to please who he's working with."
"He was in Stoneham for 10 years and he certainly made his mark. You would think when he retired that he had been in the here for 35 years," said Russo. "I think that says it all."
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