Photo by AK Alilonu ’16 – Featured here is a mobile hanging in Mr. Kelly’s classroom. Events such as the Fine Arts Extravaganza bring the student body to appreciate such art forms.
By Anthony Cardellini ’17
THE ROUNDUP
It is easy for high school students to see athletics as the only source and only place for school spirit.
Student Council members said this is the reason that the Fine Arts Extravaganza is so important.
“It started at Student Council as a way to embrace everything that’s going on and showcase what the Fine Arts Department is doing,” said Max Fees ’17, a Student Council member. He cites the Extravaganza as an important development in his own band, Rightwise.
“This year we really embraced the Extravaganza as a chance to share with our peers something we’re passionate about,” Fees said.
He said that while many other groups such as athletes and intellectuals are supported in other areas, the Fine Arts Extravaganza is away for artists to get their hard work and passion out on a big stage.
“We have brothers with straight-A’s that are going to change the world as a lawyer or as a doctor. We have guys who are going to play in the NFL. And so we also have guys who are doing awesome things in AP Studio Art, guys who are insane in Honor Chorale,” Fees said.
He said that since brotherhood is such a big part of campus, supporting the whole individual is something students need to focus on.
“We want to showcase and support everybody on campus and not just limit it, because if we limit who we’re supporting, we’re limiting the brotherhood around campus,” he said.
Director of Student Activities Mr. Tony Oldani agreed that the importance of the Extravaganza is is focusing on the entire student body.
“The most important thing is highlighting all the talents that kids have,” Mr. Oldani. “What are the things kids are doing on campus that we should know about?”
He said that a big part of the Fine Arts Extravaganza is creating bigger venues for students to better showcase their talents. He pointed to the example of moving artwork from the SAC in 2013 to the Great Hall in 2014.
“What we do through these activities is help build those connections that become the memory bank, the time capsule. And the more depth we can create in connecting, the stronger the ties will be to this place,” Mr. Oldani said.
Mr. Oldani said that his idea of school spirit in general is more about building those connections than just being loud.
“The school spirit is not just about the ‘Ra-ra’-ness. It’s not just about ‘can we get a lot of guys to go to the basketball game,’ but ‘how can we create an experience at that basketball game where kids feel connected with each other through this place?'” Mr. Oldani said.
