BHS senior artists honored for their work

BRAINERD — Inspiration for this year’s celebration of Brainerd High School’s outstanding fine arts students came from perhaps one of the state’s most iconic artists.

“As we embark on this journey of celebration, let us draw inspiration from the timeless wisdom of Charles Schulz and his beloved creation, ‘Peanuts,’” Activities Director Jack Freeman said Monday, April 15, at the BHS fine arts and activities celebration.

In honor of this year’s spring musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Schulz’s classic characters set the stage for the celebration, complete with a photo slideshow from the past year of arts activities, set to the “Linus and Lucy” tune.

“Just like Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang, each of us has our own unique journey of self-discovery and growth,” Freeman said. “In the world of ‘Peanuts,’ we find lessons in resilience, friendship and the importance of staying true to ourselves, even in the face of adversity.”

Choosing to participate in the arts, he continued, takes dedication and perseverance, pushing oneself beyond the comfort zone into a world of creative thinking and social engagement, which will serve the students well after high school.

That creativity was on display in the lobby of the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts Monday, as drawings, paintings, carvings, pottery creations and so much more lined the walls for all to see.

Senior Harley Kopek showcased the red and white crocheted piece, titled “The Guy,” made in her free time as a testament to the many art classes she’s taken throughout her high school career.

Fellow senior Alice Balsely proudly showed the ceramic platter and hippopotamus she made in Pottery II with Lea Anderson.

“I take pottery first hour, and it’s a great way to start my day,” Balsley said. “It makes me happy. Ms. Anderson’s an amazing teacher. She always wishes the best on your art, and the best on you yourself.”

Theresa Bourke / Brainerd Dispatch

Kopek, Balsley and the rest of the seniors were recognized for their fine arts achievements, as were the Brainerd Dispatch Fine Arts Scholars, who earned a 3.5 GPA or higher throughout their high school careers and were selected by teachers for their excellence in fine arts activities.

Awards of Excellence went out, too, with advisers in each art area choosing a senior or two — or maybe more — who especially went above and beyond in their artistry.

Rick Jensen made mention of all 12 of his seniors on the Brainonian Yearbook staff, calling up on stage the five present at Monday’s ceremony, and choosing seven as his award winners — Aydreanna Berg, Marin Ellingson, Tory Barker-Petersen, Chloe Czech, Madi Newenhouse, Lydia Jendro and Ebanni Moore.

“It’s a huge hole that they’re leaving,” Jensen said.

Later on, Jensen called up Logan Spencer for his work in decoy design.

“He’s always doing impeccable work; his attitude is top-notch — you would swear he’s not even a high school student,” Jensen joked.

Theresa Bourke / Brainerd Dispatch

Senior Quinn Giles took home an excellence award in creative writing, handed out by Karla Shepherd-Johnson on behalf of writing teacher Steffanie Sanford.

“In seven years and 10,000 pages of writing, Ms. Sanford has never had a student with the unique talent of this year’s distinguished writer,” Shepherd-Johnson said. “... Being funny is easy; however, writing funny is different. This senior has mastered this talent.”

As theater director, Shepherd-Johnson later recognized two of her own students for their work on the stage.

Ava Branstner, she said, has always been there for the cast and crew, willing to help out wherever needed.

“This unique individual has an empathy for human beings that many adults do not even have,” Shepherd-Johnson said. “... I am beyond proud of this person, and I will miss her deeply next year.”

She then recognized Lydia Jendro for her choreography and dance work.

“She will hardly be able to walk, and she’ll dance her heart out and say her knees are just fine,” Shepherd-Johnson said. “She’s one of the best choreographers that I have ever worked with.”

Choir Director Brian Stubbs, who was noted Monday night for his last year of teaching before retirement, said the last year of choir has been fabulous, capped off with a trip to Ireland over spring break.

He said he asks his students to vote on an outstanding senior leader, and this year the overwhelming choice was choir manager Gabrielle Klukas.

“This is one of those jobs that’s kind of like servant leader. So you’re doing a lot of stuff that other kids take for granted,” Stubbs said, like alphabetizing robes, cleaning up the classroom and coordinating transportation.

“I’m grateful for the work that you’ve done in the background,” he said to Klukas.

Stubbs also recognized Caleb Nelson with an Award of Excellence.

Band Director Chris Fogderud used the same method as Stubbs, leaving the decision up to the students.

The student of excellence in wind symphony, earning the John Philip Sousa Award, was Grace Ruopp.

“She’s been so helpful for so long, such a great leader both in the background and in front of the band,” Fogderud said.

For jazz band, he recognized Eric Hebert.

“He is one of the most accomplished and gifted jazz improvisers that we’ve ever had at the school,” Fodgerud said.

Symphonic Band Director Michael Sommerness gave his excellence award to Daniel Tollefsrud.

“He took a semester hiatus away from band and came back with renewed passion, so much so that he — poor guy — intends to become a band teacher,” Sommerness joked. “And we wish him the best.”

Next up in orchestra, Leslie Zander said her senior award winner was also voted on by peers, and it came as no surprise to her that it was Vanessa Anderson.

“She’s just been a rock of her section, a rock of the orchestra,” Zander said, noting Anderson is reliable, dependable and someone she can count on in any situation.

Video productions teacher Andy Dwyer recognized two outstanding students in his area.

Kyra Giannonatti, he said, was a video production student all four years and excelled throughout her high school career and never shied away from new opportunities.

“Live streams, covering Warrior Day, you name it, her hand was the first to go up,” Dwyer said of Giannonatti, who worked her senior year as his student aide.

He also recognized Emma Monahan, a student who had intended to drop his video productions class at one point but continued to hold on.

“She’s just a go-to person and somebody that has really made me proud as a teacher,” Dwyer said. “I’m very proud of her accomplishments.”

Pottery teacher Lea Anderson gave out her two awards to Annie Pierce and Nathan Herkenhoff

Pierce, she said, never stops refining her pottery skills.

“She is self-motivated and strives for quality,” Anderson said. “Oftentimes, she can be found multiple hours throughout the day working on perfection … She is also one of those kids with clay on her nose and always a smile on her face.”

Herkenhoff, Anderson said, is often found on the wheel, working right alongside Pierce.

“He loves to learn new techniques and to challenge himself,” she said. “His pottery skills keep getting better and better. … He also has a heart of gold and is nice to everyone and also has a big huge smile.”

Visual arts teacher Joe Wagner took the stage to dole out awards to seniors Khloey Pyle and Kenzee Larson.

“I think what I love most about these two students is they’re very modest,” Wagner said. “They are rockstars at art, and I think they know it, but they don’t come off that way. And they’re actually very interested in what other students are doing and complimenting other students and noticing what they’re doing, and that’s the sign of a truly great artist.”To cap off the celebration, Stubbs said he didn’t have any “mic drop” worthy words of wisdom for the students in his last year, but he encouraged them to keep doing what they’re doing and never stop sharing their talents with the world.

“You make the world better simply by caring for your soul and creating art,” Stubbs said. “We are all affected by your good work. Now go out there and continue to do that good work.”

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa.