Seven Pine Crest students who shine in their Fine Arts’ talents were each honored with a Student Cultural Arts Series (SCAS) award at this year’s Founder’s Council assembly on Friday, April 12^th. This annual assembly opened up with a spectacular video showing the stellar performances and pieces of Pine Crest’s choruses, orchestra, bands, ballet dancers, artists, and actors/actresses.  Unique to this year, this video ended with a clip of PC founder Mae McMillan, speaking of the Pine Crest beliefs she so aspired the school to encompass. Hearing Dr. McMillan speak was a truly touching moment for many Pine Crest members.

After the wonderful introduction, the awards ceremony officially began! The first award, “Excellence in Dance,” was given to senior Savannah Kennelly, who has been participating in ballet since a young age. The member of the Founder’s Council who introduced her award commented on what a “kind, genuine person” Savannah is. After receiving her award, Savannah showed off her ballet skills by performing a dance from the ballet, Don Quixote. Her grace enhanced the airy, light-hearted song, keeping the entire audience happily entertained.

The next award, “Excellence in Music,” went to senior Elyse Anderson. Elyse, who has been singing since second grade, has been involved in chorus, PCS singers, and in musicals all throughout her high school career. Her incredibly rich voice has been noted all along, but her spot-on performance as the female lead, Laurie, of this year’s musical, Oklahoma! was the icing on the cake for her musical successes, noted by those on Founder’s Council. At this Founder’s Council assembly, Elyse blew her audience away when she sang an intricate opera song. The passion brought into the notes  she reached on all scales shows her sheer talent. It is no wonder she desires to pursue music in college- it would be a shame to the rest of the world if she did not!

The third SCAS award, “Excellence in Drama,” was received by sophomore Destiny Arlotta. Founder’s Council members were taken by her sincere acting roles, full of deep emotion. Everyone understood their fascination when Destiny did a monologue at this assembly, in which she played the part of a girl who, as she helped an elderly woman, was going through her own teenage problems. In her performance, Destiny brought feelings of laughter, sensitivity, confusion, and some innocence. Her ability to tell the whole life story of a character she was portraying in just a few minutes shows just how talented this award recipient is, and hints towards her eagerly-anticipated performances in the future.

Senior Keeli O’Brien was the recipient of the award for “Excellence in Art.” After an introduction explaining her artwork to the audience, Keeli’s talents were shown in a slideshow for all to see. Her portfolio ranged from black and white sketches to landscapes in color, each very unique, yet following her artistic style. Keeli’s ability to express her work with such detail and with such interesting concepts highlights her unbelievably creative nature as an artist. With entrancing music to go with the artwork, this slideshow captured the attention of all and enhanced Keeli’s immense talent.

Senior Patrick Boyle was the next winner of the SCAS awards, as he won the “Excellence in Instrumental Music” award for his talent on the trombone. Beginning this instrument when he was young, Patrick grew to be the principle trombone player in band throughout high school. Along with his trombone talent, Patrick has sung with jazz band, and even learned to play the euphonium to help the band out, showing his deep passion and devotion to music. On top of his musical talents, Patrick is also quite the actor, as he stirred up great laughs with his role as Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! To show his skills on the trombone, Patrick played “Morceau Symphonique” on the trombone at the Founder’s Council assembly after receiving his award. He played this complex instrumental piece flawlessly, impressing the entire room. We wish Patrick good luck for great success in college next year, where hopefully he will continue his great talents!

Emily Kidd, also a senior, was the winner of the SCAS award, “Excellence in Musical Theater.” As a member of chorus and participant in school musicals, it is clear that Emily loves to sing and act. In Emily’s introduction, a member of Founder’s Council explained that she really caught the attention of many, including that of her directors, in one of the rehearsals for last year’s musical, Les Miserables. Emily, who has always loved that musical, stepped up to the plate and filled in for every singing part missing at rehearsal, simply able to do so from watching that musical and listening to the music so many times. She carried her musical ability and talent with her every step of the way, leading up to her big performance as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! In her embodiment of this giddy, flirtatious character, Emily connected to her audience, a quality of a truly fine musical star. This skill was shown again at this awards assembly, when Emily performed the song, “Gimmie Gimmie” from Thoroughly Modern Millie. In this performance, Emily worked her way around the stage from sitting in the chair, to walking around, to standing on the chair for a big finale. Emily will continue her studies next year at FSU, and while she will no longer be a student at Pine Crest, her musical theater legacy will always remain.

The seventh and final SCAS winner is senior Juliana Roger, who also received an award for “Excellence in Dance.” As soon as she joined high school, Juliana has been considered a “great asset” to the art of dance. As a committed dancer for years, Juliana’s performance as prima ballerina Aurora, the lead, in this year’s ballet, Sleeping Beauty, completely stole the stage. She has been known to say, “Some girls want the top schools, the best stuff, to be most popular… I just want to be the lead ballerina.” Her elegance and poise as a dancer fulfill the demands of such a large role, and definitely carried with her at this assembly when she also performed a dance from the ballet, Don Quixote. Her stage presence illuminated the stage she walked on, displaying just how qualified she is to receive this award. Her friends in the audience were just as eager to see her light up the stage, as they gave her a standing, and screaming, ovation.

It is evident from the Founder’s Council assembly that Pine Crest is full of students with great talent and potential. From dance, to drama, to singing, to art, to playing instruments, it seems we have got it all. Thank you to the Founder’s Council for organizing this great assembly full of positive energy. Congratulations to Savannah, Elyse, Destiny, Keeli, Patrick, Emily, and Juliana on their well-deserved awards and their fabulous performances to match!