This article was written by Angela Lin, class of 2019.
In a day dedicated to the Arts, the Fine Arts Festival and Spring Fling exhibited student talents with a variety of performances and artwork while clubs also raised money for a variety of causes. The Fine Arts Festival was held in the 3000 and Spring Fling on the back field and basketball courts behind the 3000, due to the current construction of the new building on the basketball courts located on the left of the 3000, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Fine Arts Festival welcomed students, parents and faculty to appreciate student artwork ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade. Lower school and Visual Concepts student works were hung up along the hallways of the 3000; ceramics and sculptures showcased in the Dance room; and all other high school art was exhibited in the Chorus room. Student performances were held throughout the day in the Main Theater. The AHS Dance Company performed “Still I Rise” in dedication to Black History Month and a variety of pieces were performed by the members of Thespians. Other musical performances such as orchestra, band and guitar were held in either the Black Box Theater, Band room or Guitar room.
On the basketball courts, around 15 clubs set up booths decorated with handmade signs where people could pay to play games and buy crafts. These booths included National Honor Society’s pie throw, the Multicultural Club’s henna tattoos and Student Government Association’s life-size Jenga. People also lined up to throw water balloons at band students on the tennis court.
“There was a lot of excitement and I had a great time. I had a really great time commissioning poems, and seeing people enjoy our poems was amazing,” said English Honor Society’s president Karen Lu. The money earned from each booth was to fund different causes such as PAWS raising money for the Humane Society. Many clubs, such as NHS and Dead Poets Society/English Honor Society, opted to collect funds for Project Alive.
“I embarrassed myself for a good cause by getting pied for NHS. Even though I was covered in whipped cream, I had a lot of fun,” said senior Emersyn Zintsmaster Besides clubs, the silent artwork and gift basket auctions were curated by the PTO. Silent auctions included dozens of items including a three week summer camp session and themed gift baskets filled with gift cards, toys and snacks.
The pieces of artwork were made by lower school students, and 20 percent of the proceeds earned from the artworks went to Project Alive. In total, the profit earned from the silent artwork and gift basket auctions added up to around $30,000. The money goes into funding lower school activities such as their Spirit Day. Students climbed the rock climbing wall and flipped on the bungee jump in the carnival on the back field for $20. All proceeds went to the Center for the Arts Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing scholarships for students in the Fine Arts.
