Students Perform at ‘Art After Dark’

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By RENEE ORDOOBADI
For Potomac Local News

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Woodbridge Senior High School hosted Arts After Dark, an event showcasing the talents of the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) students on May 28.

Directly after the event, senior medals were awarded to the graduating CFPA students.

Catherine Hailey, the CFPA Creative Writing teacher, said Arts After Dark is a showcase of youthful talent

“I think we started Arts After Dark during the second year of CFPA. We wanted to showcase the talents of the CFPA artists once each year in an integrated manner. Although the approach to Arts After Dark changed over the years – sometimes a formal auditorium performance, sometimes an arts fair atmosphere – it has continued almost every year. I was very happy to see it back at Woodbridge this year so that more families could attend,” Hailey said.

Many of the Creative Writing Students read poetry in groups to add visual and auditory appeal.

“I read Kendra Arnold’s poem “Essence of Music” with Kendra and Katarina Hinkofer. I was excited to finally perform the poem we’ve been rehearsing repeatedly on, but it’s also hard not to be nervous when actually standing up on stage and seeing the crowd in person,” Sophomore CFPA Creative Writing student Virginia Crivilescu said.

The senior CFPA Theater students were given the opportunity to recite a monologue of their choice – some were modern, others Shakespearean.

“I felt awesome! I love being on stage. I’m a performer, it’s what I do. It was my last time being on a high school stage and it wasn’t as nerve racking as one would think. I’m just proud that I was able to get a good laugh out of the crowd from my piece ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ written by William Shakespeare,” senior CFPA Theater student Tyler Rose said.

Some students, who are involved in more than one CFPA concentration, were forced to choose between performances.

Junior Phebe Ciemny had to decide between reading poetry and performing with her orchestra group.

“It was a tough call to make. My decision came down to orchestra because, number one: I like wearing my orchestra dress – it makes me feel like a princess, and number two: I feel like my orchestra needed me. After all, you can tell when someone is missing because there are two people to a stand,” Ciemny said.

To end the evening, senior medals were awarded to those graduating in CFPA. Excitement filled the auditorium as teachers congratulated their students, placing the well-deserved medals around their necks.

“Receiving the medal was pretty exciting, knowing that I accomplished what I came to do! The ceremony was the culmination of everything we as CFPA students have worked for throughout our entire high school career. I’m a transfer student, so the CFPA program is the reason I went to Woodbridge to begin with,” Senior CFPA Theater student Kaitlyn Rhyne said.

“I did dream about it, (receiving her senior medal) to be honest. I dreamed about going up with victorious music on the stage. It was pretty cool in my mind. That didn’t quite happen, but I still felt important,” Senior CFPA Creative Writing student Katherine Estes said.

“When I received my medal I was really happy, excited and proud of how far I came with the CFPA program. I’m in the visual arts concentration,” Senior CFPA Visual Arts student Kim Chavarria said. Her piece ‘Jellyfish Balloons’ was featured in the refreshments section after senior medals were distributed.

Receiving senior medals was not only emotional for the students, but bittersweet for the teachers handing them out.

“I am so excited to see my seniors complete their final portfolios, write a case study of themselves as writers that reflects on their overall journey in CFPA and perform their work in the showcase for family and friends. However, distributing the medals means saying goodbye as they move on to college. That is difficult; I will miss having them as part of the Creative Writing family in my room every day,” Catherine Hailey said.

CFPA includes Dance, Creative Writing, Musical: Instrumental, Music: Vocal, Music Technology, Theater and Visual Arts.

Renee Ordoobadi is a student at Woodbridge Senior High School.