Fine Arts Festival Features Students Work

Who knew that to get a French stamp on your passport all you had to do was buy a crepe or make a paper marionette?

Well, at least if you attended the Fine Arts Festival at on Tuesday night.

Students from both the French and Spanish programs, as well as several other departments, ran booths at the event. Visitors could get their passport stamped by visiting six different stations.

Mackenzie Frederick, a junior at Lake Fenton High School, helped other students put together a paper marionette in honor of the French holiday Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday.

“I've never been to France, but there's a trip scheduled the year after I graduate and I'm hoping to go,” Frederick said.

The Fine Arts Festival was created to raise awareness of the non-core subjects like music, art, foreign language and business tech. Organizers also wanted to showcase student artwork.

“We're like stepsisters,” said Heather Johnson, who teaches business tech at the school, about all the non-traditional classes represented at the event.

Johnson is a career technical educator, meaning she had to have real work experience to become certified. Her classes give students a taste of  Microsoft Word and Excel in the beginner level and experience in developing a Powerpoint presentation in the second level.

“This festival is a way to explain some of things that we do," Johnson said.

The Music Boosters, an organization to help raise money for band and choir, was also at the Fine Arts Festival on Tuesday.

“The proceeds of our events are used to fund trips, instruments, repairs, band camp and uniforms," said Angie Allen, President of Music Boosters of Lake Fenton.

Aside from the booths, there was a generous display of student artwork at the festival.  Visitors got a taste of what students get out of their classes by observing some of the sketches, watercolors and painted ceramics on display.

Some of those classes include sculpture and pottery, art history and architecture.

Students made it clear in their profiles that they take their work seriously.

Senior Kacey Phegley's artwork included an owl whose feathers appeared to be disintegrating, noted in her artist profile, “I enjoy incorporating surrealism into my artwork."

Senior Rebecca Brooks, noted, “I create pieces to express my emotions...I like to make darker pieces.”

Brooks' artwork included skeleton themes and a portrait, among others.

“It's nice that the kids have an opportunity to show off their artwork,” said Johnson. “And that the school has a chance to show what it has to offer in these areas.”