On March 7, the Inclusive Fine Arts class performed “Off To the Races” during eighth period for students and staff and at seven p.m. for members of the community.
Students performed choreographed numbers inspired by Olympic track races, Formula One races, horse races and road bicycle races.
The performance consisted of clips of a pre-recorded video shown on a projector screen, where students read from a script, which helped to set up the storyline. Then, the fine arts students came up to the stage and performed choreography to music relating to the theme.
“[This year’s theme] was inspired by [VHHS’] occupational therapist, Marci Simmons. She went on a work trip with her husband to the Kentucky Derby last year and showed us her cool hat and outfit she got to wear,”
Danielle Rogner, a special services teacher, said. Jianna Falk (12) has participated in every single Inclusive Fine Arts performance ever since her freshman year, when the class first started. After she graduates, she is going to miss seeing her teachers and friends during the Inclusive Fine Arts class.
“[My favorite part of the performance this year were] the horses and the bikes and the [bicycle] bells,” Falk said.
Inclusive Fine Arts class
According to Rogner, the Inclusive Fine Arts class is a full-year course designed to provide an elective option for students with disabilities.
Additionally, any students who wish to can sign up to take the class and become a mentor. Mentors create connections with one another and the students they mentor through the fine arts performance and help with the preparations for the show.
“[Mentors are] learning, over the course of the year, how to be a leader [and] how to work with people that have different needs or need different kinds of support and accommodations,” Rogner said. “[For special education students] it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, and build social skills outside of [the special
education classes] they’re with for a lot of the day.”
The class has been running at VHHS for four years, having a performance ever since it started. Jeremy Little, choir director, and Rogner, took inspiration from inclusive fine arts programs across other schools to design this elective, which they co-teach.
Rogner took inspiration from another school’s Inclusive Fine Arts program to implement the performance to VHHS’ class with the help of Jeremy Little, choir director, whom she co-teaches the class with.
“[Me and Mr. Little] wanted to give students that chance to express themselves [and] build confidence. A lot of students might deal with nerves, so we help build their self esteem and confidence in being able to cope with that pressure,” Rogner said. “I think it’s really special for them, but also [for] their families, to be able to be part of [this performance].”
Little and Rogner start the preparations for the performance as early as the summer when they start researching songs across different genres relating to the chosen theme.
As for the students, the preparations start during the first week of school. Sophia Lund (12) is a first year mentor. She believes taking this class has been one of the best parts of her high school experience, having motivated her to come to school even when she didn’t want to.
“When you walk into the class, everybody greets you so happily. It’s that kind of environment [where] everybody is so happy to see you, and everybody loves each other for themselves,” Lund said. “It’s just like a little family.”