This school year has been a learning experience for everyone. Never before has an academic year been more unpredictable and challenging. As MVHS neared winter break, students and staff faced even more uncharted waters.

The holiday season was a particularly challenging time for the school’s fine arts programs. When it comes to performances and yearly traditions, teachers and students were jumping through hoops to get them accomplished.

Band and show choir both opted for virtual concerts. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, it was deemed the best choice. Band director Brad Heckman says, “We’re going to make a good, clean recording and email it to parents and students.”

When asked how he feels about the changes he has had to make, Mr. Heckman says change is “difficult for everyone” but he raises the question, “Is it more painful to stay the same than to change?” He goes on to say that yes, it would be more painful in this scenario. Teachers have to “do what’s best for [their] kids, what’s safest.”

COVID-19 had further effect on the band, limiting their available music choices as well. Mr. Heckman says, “We chose music that we could do with the instrumentation that we have.” He also considered potential quarantines, doubling some parts to make sure they were played regardless of absences. He goes on to say, “But that doesn’t work in all sections.” When it comes to missing “that one person,” rehearsals and performances are still difficult.

However, some things are still the same. Mr. Heckman is still going to put out the “best product” he and the band can.

The band missed out on a lot due to the lack of socializing that was able to be done. Many things that would occur yearly were pushed to the back burner including competitions and the annual band bonfire. Mr. Heckman expresses worry over the kids not getting to experience those things.

Mr. Heckman says he is looking forward to a "newer normal" that includes some of the band's old traditions. He hopes that they go in a positive direction, even if they still have to consider COVID-19 after the vaccine becomes available.

Dr. Josh Ladd, MVHS principal, was asked his thoughts on the decision to go with a virtual concert. He expresses sadness over the lack of opportunity for students to perform in front of their friends and family, but he left the decision in the hands of the directors and he is trusting them to “make the decisions they feel is best for their programs.” He hopes this is the only time they will have to go with a virtual concert.

As with the band and show choir concerts, Speech and Debate, under the direction of Brooke Olinger, has had to move their competitions to virtual. Ms. Olinger comments on this saying it's "not quite as much fun" but that she is glad they still get to compete.

Drama, on the other hand, has been forced to make major changes. As opposed to having a winter musical, they settled for a variety show instead. While this had its negatives, it also had some positives in Olinger's eyes. She says that while she definitely misses travelling and having full length performances, she "loves that COVID has given us the chance to be creative and do things we wouldn't normally have time to do. For example, had we done a musical we probably wouldn't have put on the variety show, which gave a ton of students the chance to perform, even if singing isn't their forté."

On top of the variety show, they were able to do a winter drive through, allowing high school and middle school drama students to act out some scenes from 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Olinger describes it as "a huge success."

Olinger chooses not to worry about what kids are missing out on through COVID-19. She describes herself as "not a big worrier," saying that if she begins to stress, she will remind herself that she is simply not in control of everything. She does her best to provide her students with chances to perform and compete and helps them "develop their skills" in any other way she can.

As of now, Drama is simply cooling down from the variety show and drive through while Speech and Debate continues to work on competitions. Olinger expresses excitement over what the next semester may bring, even if it looks a little different.

Art Club welcomes a new instructor, Taylor Hopkins, as well as facing the challenges posed by COVID-19. They have still been able to enjoy many activities throughout the year, including painting quotes and murals at 417 Athletics and their yearly tradition of painting store windows, though they initially struggled with organizing it with the businesses. Furthermore, they have been working with clay and did a big firing with another one on the schedule for next semester.

Mr. Hopkins expresses some worry over what kids might be missing, particularly a field trip. He's exploring some options, virtual and in person, but is still uncertain as to whether or not it will be done.

When asked what his post pandemic plans include, Mr. Hopkins says, "I'm really big into sculptural and even landscape art." He discusses doing some "bigger features" around the school, utilizing all of the space the campus has by getting some of his students welding in the new Ag building.

He expresses particular interest in an outdoor classroom, saying, "They encourage it in all the guidelines for teaching art that when you can get outside, go outside." The added space and "circulation" as well as students being able to use different tools has several benefits when it comes to creating art. Mr. Hopkins mentions that it would be available not only to art students, but to any class with a desire to use the classroom.

Finally, Mr. Hopkins greatly encourages everyone to challenge themselves and discover what creating mediums they may be "even slightly good at." He says that the number of students in this district doing just that is amazing and it "feeds [his] soul."