Fine Arts in Review

After months of waiting to take center stage, Marian Catholic fine arts students were finally able to “cut loose!”

From presenting the musical Footloose, to Spring Band and Choral Concerts, actors, musicians, and vocalists had the opportunity to showcase their talents. Regardless of how they express their gifts, the arts are an essential part of Marian Catholic’s curriculum, offering students a unique way to connect with each other and the world.

CHOIR

For the choir, their concert was the first time they had been able to all sing together. Most of the selections were rooted with modern gospel undertones and spiritual meaning. Among them was Home by Pearson and Holden. The song has always had special meaning for this year’s seniors. As Choir President Paige Manning '21 explained, the song was chosen because as freshmen, seniors played it for the Class of 2021 on their first day of orientation at Marian Catholic. A line in the lyrics says: Just know you’re not alone,

‘Cause I’m going to make this place your home.

“Marian’s Community and continuous support has been special to all of the seniors,” said Paige. “The memories we have made here will never be forgotten. The love and family created by the Class of 2021 is something to cherish, especially since almost half of our high school career was living through a pandemic. Marian has been our home for the past four years, and now they’re congratulating us as we enter into our new home for the next chapter of our lives.”

BAND P.R.I.D.E.

In addition to cancelling all of their marching events in the fall, the pandemic presented some very interesting challenges for the Marian Catholic band during concert season. With the school following a hybrid schedule, only about 35 percent of the band was in school on any given day and rehearsals were limited to one evening a week. Our accomplished musicians were finally able to share their talents with parents and guests at a spring concert on May 4. Selections included The Gladiator, one of John Phillip Sousa’s earliest marches written in 1886, Peace Dancer, by Jodi Blackshaw, inspired by a First Nations story about caring for creation, and Come Sunday, by Omar Thomas, who received the 2019 William D. Revelli Composition Award for the piece, becoming the first African American composer to win the contest.

VISUAL ARTS

Visual art classes offer unique, hands-on, project-based learning opportunities for students. Exploring art and creativity can serve many purposes: aesthetics, history & culture, communication, skill building & discovery, design & engineering, careers, spiritual, functional, self-expression, and therapy. Art teacher Mrs. Theresa Hammons believes it is very important for students to have choice and voice in their learning, and strives to build an engaging learning community where students can communicate and explore their thoughts and feelings. Throughout the pandemic, students have continued to work together through live chats and video demonstrations, group breakout rooms on Zoom, digital discussion boards, and virtual art shows. Student artwork was celebrated with the entire community via a SpringVirtual Art Fair in addition to campus displays.

Hana Kionisala '22, Drawing 3

Jordan Perdue '22, Digital Photography; Rachel Krupowicz '22, Drawing 1; and Mia Dabrowski '22, Drawing 2

SUMMER LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

The band’s upper class leadership team spent two days this summer in a leadership workshop that included a visit with special guest and former Marian Catholic assistant director, Bobby Lambert! It was an amazing experience for the students!

Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP Selected to Guide Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, was elected president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) for a three-year term that began in August. The LCWR presidency is a three-person team of Catholic sisters including the president, president-elect, and past president who collaborate to lead the conference. Sister Rebecca Ann will serve as president-elect for a year, moving into the president’s chair in August 2022.

LCWR has approximately 1350 members – all elected leaders of their congregations – who represent nearly 80 percent of the women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, the conference assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership and further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world. LCWR members voted online June 5 to June 26; the results of the election were announced June 28.

A native of Van Nuys, California, Sister Rebecca Ann made her profession of vows with the Springfield Dominicans in 1984 and ministered in elementary education as a teacher and a principal. She has been in congregational leadership since 2005, has served two terms as a council member, and is in her second term as prioress general. She holds a masters of administration in education as well as a masters in social work, and is a licensed clinical social worker.

Sister Rebecca Ann is no stranger to collaborative service as a member of LCWR. She served three-year terms as secretary, vice president, and chair of LCWR Region 8 and completed a term of service on the national LCWR board that ended when she assumed the role of LCWR president-elect in August.

“LCWR has played a vital role in the transformational leadership of congregations of Catholic sisters throughout the years,” Sister Rebecca Ann said. “It will have a positive impact on religious life now and into the future. I look forward to serving the 49,000 Catholic sisters served by LCWR during these coming years, as we strive to dismantle racism and embrace a leadership of mutuality and reconciliation. I trust the Spirit will guide all of us as this unfolds. My prayer is that this service will enrich all of us as we continue our presence and preaching for the life of the world.”

Reigniting Marian Catholic’s Alumni Association

It’s an exciting time for the Marian Catholic Alumni Association! Long-dormant, the Alumni Association is coming back in a big way with two new initiatives: Class Captains and Affinity Groups.

CLASS CAPTAINS

The goal of the Marian Catholic Class Captains Program is to establish connections with each graduating class in order to improve engagement, amplify communication, and increase giving. Ideally, Class Captains are individuals who: a) are well-known within their classes and well-regarded by their classmates; b) have connections within their classes and/or the ability to forge new connections; and c) personally have the capacity and inclination to get involved with the school.

Class Captains are intended to help Marian Catholic improve engagement with the school. They will be responsible for communicating upcoming event information to their peers, as well as helping the school populate and organize events. They will also serve as representatives on the Alumni Association and will report on activities to the Association. In addition, they will steward their respective class pages on SpartanConnect, our alumni network, working with the Office of Advancement to provide useful information, content, and links for their respective classes.

There are many benefits to being a Class Captain. First and foremost, Class Captains get an insider’s view of Marian Catholic; at meetings, they receive updates from school leadership (the President, Vice President for Advancement, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, etc.). They also are the first to learn about upcoming events, including social events, alumni gatherings, and reunions. They have a voice in formulating and formatting these events, as well as in the direction of the general Alumni Association.

Are you interested in taking the lead for your class? Email us at alumni@marianchs.com to get further information and volunteer to be a Class Captain. We’d love to hear from you!

AFFINITY GROUPS

Affinity Groups are collections of individuals who come together based around a common interest. Marian Catholic would like to expand and enhance its Affinity Groups and have their leaders as part of the Alumni Association.

Currently, we have two major Affinity Groups that have organically come into existence: the Black Alumni Association and the Band Alumni Association. But we’re looking for more! Whether you’re into organizing around a sport, a career, a club or organization, a geographic location, or anything in between, you can start organizing by joining SpartanConnect and visiting the Communities page at https://alumni.marianchs.com/groups. If you don’t see the community you’re looking for, let us know at alumni@marianchs.com, and we’ll help you put it together!

To get involved, visit the Communities page on SpartanConnect!