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We strive to create a school culture that values the arts and athletics equally. That is one of my guiding principles for VCHS, perhaps stemming from my own liberal arts education at high school and then at college.
We work hard to create that school culture for our Saints – encouraging and challenging each of them to become well-rounded in academics, athletics, and the arts. Maybe because of that, we see fewer cliques because it’s cool to be an academic or an artist – not just an athlete. In fact, so many of our athletes are involved with the arts as well. This Musing will highlight VCHS Arts and the exceptional faculty representing them.
Melinda Carlson leads Choral Ensemble this semester, a group of fourteen students who are now working on their Christmas performance. She also teaches all freshmen a required, semester-long Speech and Communications course. Unique to our valley, all freshmen are required to take a semester-long Speech and Communications course with Mrs. Carlson. Why required? We believe effective communication – both spoken and written – is one of the greatest gifts we can give our students and we want to set them up for success with a firm foundation.
Brian Hall is a storyteller and teaches his students to tell stories through Digital Media – filmmaking and video production. He brings years of creative experience to his students and inspires their own creativity as they bring their own ideas to the films they create.
Heidi Cofelice teaches a variety of art classes including: Art I/II, AP Studio Art, Set and Prop Design, and The Art of Business. The Art of Business is an internship-like experience in which students learn the creative and visual side of entrepreneurship as they design and produce messaging and marketing for VCHS, local businesses, and their own mock brand.
JD Webster is not only a Worship Leader at Mountain Life and a singer/songwriter, he is the teacher/coach for our student Worship Arts team. From the ‘live on stage’ to the behind the scenes music production (sound engineering, lights, etc.), JD pours into his students so that they might lead the school community in music worship with chapels on Wednesdays.
VCHS Clubs offer an extension to the courses we offer and this school year several provide further opportunities for our students to grow as artists. A few of those clubs include: Articulation Magazine, Jewelry, Photography, Vinyl Record, and Yearbook.
Join us for the Fall Fellowship Dinner next week on Thursday, September 26 from 6:00-8:00 as we highlight and celebrate our students, including all of those involved with VCHS Arts.
Steve O'Neil
Head of School
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