(photos by Katharine Maynard-DaSilva)
By Katharine Maynard-DaSilva, Staff Writer
May 10, 2023
ROCKLAND- Rockland High School hosted its 50th Annual Arts Festival on May 3 and 4. This year, RPS students and staff members celebrated its 50th anniversary, and many thought it was the best year yet.
Art created by students in all grade levels in Rockland Public Schools, K-12, was including visual art, performance art, and music.
“This year was the best one yet. It was the 50th year, and there were a lot of activities to do that staff hasn’t done before,” said RHS art teacher, Ms. Kata Medeiros.
For the festival preparation, Art Department Chair, Ms. Cheryl Thompson, and Ms. Medeiros set up artboards on Monday. Then, volunteers hung up artwork on the boards for the following two days.
Some of the new activities included, face painting, STEAM crafts, Brazilian Quadrilha dancing, an Alumni Art Show, and a visit from Rocco's Rewind.
In the cafeteria, Brazil's traditional Festa de Junina dance, the Quadrilha, was being performed and taught by students and EL teachers.
“The artwork in the gym is always the main attraction but the Quadrilha dancing drew a good crowd,” said Ms. Thompson.
In the auditorium, the high school and middle school students put on a show. They performed, “Swinging with the Saints,” by Marymount Singers of New York, “A Musical,” from Something Rotten, and “Shine Like the Stars,” by Pinkzebra.
In addition, there were displays of model clay skulls made by World Languages classes, furniture made by students in woodworking classes, and seed kits made by Environmental Club members.
The Images magazine "zine" contest winner, freshman Amelia Harrington said, “The annual arts festival is a great opportunity to look at fellow classmates’ art, and to socialize with peers, go support your school!”
If students have any questions or want to get involved in next year's festival, they should contact RHS arts teachers at kmedeiros@rocklandschools.org or cthompson@rocklandschools.org