It was another evening of great music and entertainment at the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) as Wm. E. Hay recognized some of its finest on Thursday, June 8.
At the Gala and Awards night, students in the various disciplines were recognized for their growth, participation and commitment to the Arts at Wm. E. Hay with a certificate and public acknowledgment of their work. The award recipients are as follows.
Drama Awards: Grade 7 – Kody Bailie; Grade 8 – Trinity Martin; Grade 9 – Gerson Gamponia; Grade 10 – Abby Bohn; Grade 11 – Jessica Sweeting; Grade 12 – Kalie Tulan, Jessa Heatherington, Roam Thorsteinsson, and Hunter Paulson.
Band Awards: Grade 7 – Jake Chesla; Grade 8 – Madison Bradford; Grade 9 – Ethan Rahn; Grade 10 – Colby Barclay; Grade 11 – Maria Miller; Grade 12 - Tristan Bryce, Danae Chostner, and Roam Thorsteinsson; Honourable Mentions to Abby Spencer, Rebecca Rahn, Laura Smith, and Max McHollister.
Art Awards: Grade 7 – Cassie Smith; Grade 8 – Chloe Strohschein; Grade 9 – Amber Wiens; Grade 10 – Dariel Abando; Grade 11 – Amanda O’Donnell; Grade 12 – Abby Spencer, and Laura Smith.
Dance Awards: Grade 10 – Raye Meyn; Grade 11 – Caitlin Forseth; Grade 12 – Jordan Frederick.
Communication Technology Awards: Grade 7 – Jake Chesla; Grade 9 – Cassidy Braun; Grade 10 – JD Lovell; Grade 11 – Reiley Thomas; Grade 12 – Kalie Tulan, Braydon Doell, Rune Lundorff, and Hunter Paulson.
Digital Photography: Grade 10 – Alexis Bogner.
Darren Fleishhacker, who believes in “taking up a notch” each year, slowly and surely, said, “Our Fine Arts department continues to build on and refine our programming.”
According to Fleishhacker, some of the highlights of this past year have been – the ensemble that came together to put on the wonderful production of “Almost, Maine;” having students participate in Central Alberta Film Festival (CAFF) events; seeing so many students who don’t normally get very much attention be recognized for their skills and commitment to the Arts at the school; witnessing the finale at the gala and seeing the Wm. E. Hay Jazz Band play alongside Domino and have the dancers dance to the Blues Brothers medley.
“It was great to see elements of the Arts being brought into some of the core programs at the school,” Fleishhacker added. “I would like to give a huge shout out to my colleagues in the Fine Arts department – Eric Rahn, Dave Morris, Amy Smith, Shonna Burkard, and Rachelle Campeau; Karly Newbigging for all of her help with costume work this year; Alicia Kneeland-Teasdale for her continuing support of our productions with her Cosmetology program making our performers look great through hair and make-up design and application; and an extra shout-out to Jefferson McClung, even though he’s a Social Studies guy, he’s a huge supporter of the arts in our school.”