D214 Students Shine, Raise $$ at Inaugural Foundation Arts Event
Talented High School District 214 students lit up the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre stage this month with a series of dance, vocal and instrumental acts in the inaugural Arts Spotlight - a showcase of talent that simultaneously served as a launchpad for a new fund benefiting career exploration in the arts.
The event, hosted by the District 214 Education Foundation in close partnership with the district's Fine and Performing Arts departments and instructors, featured two acts from each of the district's six comprehensive high schools as well as 2-D art from student artists at every school. Steve Colella, an Elk Grove High School alumnus who starred on Broadway before returning to District 214 to teach - he now heads up Wheeling High School's choral program - emceed the event.
A sell out crowd of community members, alumni, donors, parents and staff attended the event, raising more than $4,000 for the new fund, which will create new opportunities for students to explore unique arts fields and providing funding where it's most needed to prepare young artists for success beyond high school.
"We were incredibly proud to partner with our staff and our students on this event," said Erin Brooks, executive director of the foundation. "To see the smiles on the students' faces and their tremendous performances on stage and then see the audience overwhelmed by the talent was another reminder of why we do what we do, and an illustration of the reality that public education works."
The event was sponsored by Yev Kozachuk-Edward Jones and School of Rock Arlington Heights. Appetizers were generously provided by sponsoring restaurants La Tasca, Mago and Shakou in Arlington Heights; Nino's in Buffalo Grove; and Rep's Place in Rolling Meadows.
"It was just fabulous," said Tom Munz, chairman of the foundation board of trustees. "It is incredible to know the talent we have teaching our students, the talent we have coming out of District 214 and the opportunities we are creating for them."
It is anticipated the Arts Spotlight will become an annual event, with foundation organizers already working with Metropolis to secure a spring date. Every year, the schools' arts teachers and coordinators will work together to select top performers who represent various aspects of the fine and performing arts.
"As educators who work with these students every day, we know the talent that lives here. It is second to none," said Jeremy Morton, District 214's Fine and Performing Arts coordinator. "Our goal is to make sure everyone else knows that too, and recognizes that it takes a community to build the incredible program we have in District 214. We are so grateful to have a board, foundation and parents who recognize the value of the arts and continue to create new opportunities."
Acts included a viola solo from one of the top student violists in the country; a vocal duet from two students named to All-State Chorus; an A cappella performance of a song composed by a Buffalo Grove High School student; and dances from various high schools choreographed by the students.
Brooks asked the crowd at the performances' end to consider a time when someone took a chance on them, or a time when someone saw potential in them they hadn't even seen in themselves - and then do the same for the students.
"This event and this fund continue our vision of building a passion for arts within our students and allowing them to explore future careers in the field while they're in high school and after they graduate," said Emily Rabinowitz, District 214 supervisor for career discovery in media and fine arts. "That's what this is about: Giving them venues to perform and also opportunities to keep going."
To give to the Arts Career Exploration Fund, visit https://form.jotform.com/90874088479172 or visit www.214foundation.org and select "Impact" and then "Success Funds." The Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) empowering student success, innovation and lifelong learning beyond the limitations of conventional public education funding. Gifts are tax-deductible.