Quincey Reese, Editor in Chief

     The upperclassmen of Penn-Trafford High School will soon put their talents in the arts on display through the Senior Arts Showcase. Formerly organized by music teacher Jackie Geibel prior to her leave of absence, the showcase is now being handled by senior Raegan Hochman.

    Hochman said that the idea to use this event as her senior project came to her a few months ago when she realized that Geibel would no longer operate the showcase. Because of her involvement in the arts throughout her high school years, she felt it would be a good fit for her to take on.

    “The arts have always been an important part of my life. It’s what I want to pursue when I’m older, and I think it’s very important to have the arts in school and to present them in a showcase to the public,” she said.

    Hochman explained that the showcase will be similar to how it has been in recent years in order to keep with tradition. Attendees can expect to see both two and three dimensional art presented in the front entrance, including ceramic work, drawings, paintings and sculptures. Hochman has also added the opportunity for video production and fashion design to be put on display.

  Additionally, students will be given the opportunity to perform live on the auditorium stage through acts such as singing, dancing or playing an instrument. Art teacher Brenda Christeleit said other students may even choose to do live demonstrations of painting or the potter’s wheel to show attendees how they complete their artwork.

    If students are interested in portraying any other forms of art at the showcase, they can explain their desired presentation in the “other” option on the Google form sent to their school emails by Hochman. Any artwork done during a class or outside of school is acceptable for submission.

    Since Geibel already scheduled the event to happen, Hochman said that she had to approach Assistant Principal Amy Horvat about taking over the showcase before beginning preparation.

    Horvat said she felt it would be a good match for Hochman considering her consistent interest in the arts. She added that this prevented her from having to ask substitute music teacher Tammy Hampshire to manage the responsibility while still becoming accustomed to the school.

    Horvat also assisted Hochman by booking the auditorium stage for the date of the showcase, approving emails and motivating her to continue with the planning process.

    Beyond the initial approval of the project, Hochman has since worked towards advertising and the sign-ups.

    Additionally, she contacted Christeleit and Art Extensions teacher Jen Haberberger to help her with spreading word of the showcase to their students. Both teachers have begun encouraging their seniors to participate in the event and finalize their most recent projects for submission to the showcase.

    Christeleit elaborated that she hopes every senior involved in any aspect of the arts takes part in the showcase.

    “It’s an exclamation point for the end of their high school years,” Christeleit said. “It gives them a chance to showcase their work, show off a little bit and to celebrate what they’ve done.”

    Haberberger added that she hopes a high student participation will also reap good attendance by the community.

    “Of course we want every senior who has touched some form of art to participate, but we also want people to come,” she explained. “We don’t just want it to be their grandparents and their families. We want other students to come and see what their peers can do.”

  In the weeks leading up to the showcase, Hochman said she will continue to advertise the project to the school and community through a variety of forums. She said she will also have to create the stage-performance lineup and set up the art display in the front entrance, with help from Christeleit and Haberberger. Hochman also plans on holding a rehearsal the day prior to the showcase to make sure that all participants and live performances are prepared.

    Hochman said that she is most concerned with the possibility of technical difficulties occurring during the showcase, but she is pleased with the amount of people who have signed up so far.

    “I think I’m just anxious and nervous about being in charge of it. So many things could go wrong, but at the same time, I have to think that everything will work out,” she commented. “As much as I may have thought ‘no one’s going to come, no one’s going to do it,’ there are always going to be people who love the arts who will participate and support the project.”

    The Senior Arts Showcase will be held on March 6 in the PTHS foyer and auditorium from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is no cost for admission, but Hochman said that donations are being collected for the Make-A-Wish foundation at this time. She encourages P-T to come out to support the cause and have an enjoyable evening.

    “I want it to be a fun experience, not a stressful one,” she said. “I want people to come and see the arts of Penn-Trafford, and [witness] the talent we have to offer.”