A Step Into the Spotlight: WGHS Senior Fine Arts

On Monday, February 23rd at WGHS, the senior capstone featured spotlights for the fine arts seniors and how the program has shaped their high school experience. Through music, art, and performance, these students have grown not just creatively but personally.
​by Kenzie Bass and Kimaya Campbell

On Monday, February 23rd at WGHS, the senior capstone featured spotlights for the fine arts seniors and how the program has shaped their high school experience. Through music, art, and performance, these students have grown not just creatively but personally.

Layne Drossman shared that fine arts gave her both connection and growth as a musician. “It has affected me by giving me friendships and helping me become a better musician,” Drossman shared. She loves that fine arts allows her to be a part of something meaningful. Layne explained, “My favorite part of being in fine arts is that I can express myself; it stands out to me because it makes me feel good about myself to participate in something I will remember for a long time." While she doesn't plan to pursue it as a career, she would join a community program if given the chance. Preparing for performances also taught her discipline. “Preparing for performances, exhibitions, or competitions has taught me that practice really does make perfect; that has made me more disciplined and encouraged me to keep trying to do better,” Layne shared.

Joshua Gao explained that fine arts helped him appreciate himself more. “It affected me by making me feel more appreciative of the things I do for myself. It’s made me more patient and, you know, just happy,” Gao shared. He enjoys the creative atmosphere and seeing what others create. Even though he doesn’t see it as part of his career, he plans to continue drawing and painting as hobbies. Competitions also helped him grow. He expressed, “Preparing for competitions definitely made me feel like there were other people out there that are better than me, and that's a good thing. I like competition; I like seeing what others can do.”

Holden Crescionie believes fine arts has impacted him by allowing him to meet many people he might not have met without the help of the arts here at WGHS. “I’ve done fine arts all four years. My first three years, I did a mix of band and art, and then this year I only did band. I think it’s where I’ve met the most friends out of my high school. I think at least 90% of the people I usually hang out with in or out of school, I’ve met through a fine arts program—and then my girlfriend, of course. Most fine arts are just very tight-knit, and you get to meet a lot of interesting people,” Holden shared. His favorite part is the variety: “My favorite part is all the different things I get to do. All of the field trip types of things and just learning skills.” Crescionie is planning to attend Georgia College and State University in the fall to become a music director and composer. Holden expressed, “I didn’t have that planned before high school, but after doing different things with fine arts and finding something I love to do, it became clear I can do it for the rest of my life and still enjoy it.”

“Fine arts affected me in many different ways, all positive. I feel like I found my voice and who I am, no matter where I am,” shared Pedraza. “I see fine arts influencing my future in a lot of ways. I want to go to college to major in music therapy, and I think doing fine arts has really led the way for what I want to do so I can help people find out who they are and find their voices,” she added. Her favorite part of fine arts is “singing, and I also love the community that is built around whatever fine arts you do. You make a lot of friends and, honestly, family that all connect on a different level, like teamwork.”
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Caylyn Hill explains fine arts made her feel more welcome at school. Caylyn shares, “It’s made me more welcome here, and it gives me something to do with my extra time.” She believes, “In the future, I could have skills with public speaking and talking to new people that help me make more friends and more connections.” Fine arts also taught her an important life lesson about confidence and individuality. “It reminds me that everyone is different and all you have to do is keep moving,” Caylyn shared.