Pine Crest founder Dr. Mae McMillan believed each student should be educated not just in academics, but in athletics and the arts as well. To that end, in 1968 she created the Founder’s Council, a volunteer organization that recognizes the most talented student artists and performers of our school community.

Throughout the year, the Founder’s Council, comprised of Pine Crest parents, visited fine arts rehearsals and met with the students involved. They also attended each of the Student Cultural Arts Series events, comprising the winter music concerts, the play, the musical, the ballet, and the art exhibit.

Founder’s Council member Julie Pabst ‘83 said, “I remember how much Dr. Mae enjoyed attending the Founder’s Council awards assemblies. She loved celebrating student achievement.”

Each February, Founder’s Council members review applications and select the most excellent students in art, dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theater, and vocal music to receive awards.

The annual Founder’s Council Award Ceremony, coupled with additional fine arts awards presented by faculty members, was held Friday, April 20th. In addition to receiving their awards (featuring paper sculpture bell towers made by alumna Chrissy Lihan), winners also gave short presentations.

Musical theater winner Noa Weiner, who sang “Vanilla Ice Cream” from the Broadway musical She Loves Me, said, “Sometimes people in the fine arts are overlooked, so it’s great to be recognized.”

Performances by other winners included a recorded monologue by Sammy Koolik (who was away at the March of the Living), a slideshow of Maura Pliske’s artwork, a dance choreographed and presented by Juanita Garcia, and a performance of “Being Alive” by Rodrigo Torrejon.

Additionally, instrumental winner Drew Morris was happy to perform “Tico Tico” on the clarinet, saying, “People have seen me as a part of the band, but the Founder’s assembly gave me the opportunity to play solo.”

All in all, the Founder’s Council Awards assembly gave the rest of the student body an opportunity to see all the achievements by students in the fine arts. Fine arts students were given the chance to shine and be recognized for their hard work.