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PRSRT STD U.S. City of Wabash Fall Clean-up POSTAGE PAID to begin Sept. 13. — Page 3 WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233 September 8, 2021
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Vol. 44, No. 26
Enriching Students for 25 Years: The Story of the Artist Lecture Series at Wabash High School By Lori Overmyer This is a love story. Not one with flowers, hearts, candy, and romance. This is a love story about the passion and work that went into making a great program and developing a legacy for students at Wabash High School, and for full disclosure I was in on this journey from the beginning as a committee member. But, this is not a story about me. In the early ‘90s, WHS library aide Jeanie Cooper was assigned to the school climate committee, a group challenged to create ideas to improve the atmosphere and environment for the school. “I had seen the success of the Artist Lecture luncheons at the Women’s Clubhouse and thought our kids might enjoy that type of programming at the high school,” she said. Cooper’s vision was students would be exposed to all different types of programs such as music, art, drama, crafts, county history, and whatever else could be packed into an hour lunch period. She took this idea to Marcia Forrester, Wabash City Schools head librarian, and the idea became magic. The word “magic” may seem hyperbolic but keep reading. These women know how to put on a show, and they did at least 90 shows from 1995 to 2020. Cooper and Forrester had already developed a working rhythm when the Artist Lecture Series began with Cooper more orientated to program-
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ming, while Forrester’s strength came from logistics. Between them, they knew their resources Kallen Kelsheimer and Rob Ford, WHS, rap at Street Jam 2020. Photos provided and how to draw a crowd. The 1995-96 school year brought three lectures that couldn’t have been more different. Re-enactors from Paradise Spring came in to teach the kids about the Paradise Spring Treaty, the Beat Goes On introduced students to beatnik poetry, and the tradition of Christmas crafts began. Over the 25 years, a rhythm developed. A set committee of teachers, community members, and students met to suggest ideas and support the programming. The annual plan included at least four programs with the only certainty being Christmas crafts in December. No idea was too crazy or impossible. The group was encouraged to think big to get big rewards. As an original committee member, I was awed at how we became an oiled machine so quickly, but even more the Original Artist Lecture committee member Bill Benysh and newest member desire to engage the students. Donna Ballard review the photo albums from 25 years of lectures. There was never a moment when we made choices based on peers, and spend an hour laughing. performance. In other words, Artist what would be easiest for the adults. Lecture Series truly tried to reach That show was followed up with The program was about student Show Us What You Got, an opportuthe goal of engaging a wide audiengagement. nity for students and teachers to disence of students. The Programs play the fun, odd, and crazy items The student-driven programs The list of programs can be dividthey collect. were the most popular. With one of ed into history of Wabash County, We discovered quickly that WHS the early lectures, From Ragtime to science, art, literature, drama, Our Time, showcasing students had many talented but often unhermusic, multicultural, current events modeling vintage fashion to modern alded students, so the programing information and reflection, food, day rags, students were hooked. became a way to spotlight them. games/competitions, and student They got to dress up, model for their Continued on Page 4
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