Artistic Accolades

Post date: March 19, 2025

By Xai Chase

      Shouts outside the karaoke cafe echo from the notorious volleyball game, one of the most enjoyed attractions of this festival; however, it’s musicians, singers, actors, and artists competing rather than volleyball athletes. While there are other activities like origami, poetry, basket weaving, surrealism, planetarium, and well…eating at the cafe where students can volunteer to sing, the students also compete in Teen Arts. The Teen Arts Festival is a competitive festival where students from different districts in New Jersey gather at the Ocean County College campus to show off their talents in artistic forms like instrumental, vocal, literary arts, visual arts, theater, and dance. Southern Regional won first place in 7 categories during the Teen Arts Festival of 2024; Larger Ensemble, Large & Small Musical Theater, Large & Small Vocal, 2D & 3D Visual Arts, and Visual Arts Traveling Exhibition. The piece “Encaged Voice” (left) by Xai Chase went on the traveling exhibition and was selected by the judges along with “ Competition Day” (middle) by Zoe Lewis. Students are chosen by Southern and honored and acknowledged for their creativity. Art arrives in all aspects of life in different forms,  and it can be used as a way to connect with not only others but also yourself.