Senior Showcase 2008

Release Date: August 07, 2008

The News & Advance - Lynchburg, VA - June 13, 2008

Go out into the world and dance

by Casey Gillis

Lynchburg arts school graduates 14

Speakers:

Andy Tatom, president of VSA\'s board of directors, Tyrone Brooks, executive director, Rabbi Terri Treseder, 2005 VSA graduate Audrey Fenske and Student Council President Abby Fellman

Quotes:

"First there\'s a seed. Then there\'s a bulb and, eventually, it blooms into a flower. These are our flowers," Brooks said, motioning to the 14 seniors after their graduation concert earlier in the day.

"This has been an exciting and challenging year, and you\'ve all seen it through," Tatom said during the graduation ceremony. "Graduates, please remember us as you continue on your life\'s journey, because we will never forget you."

"Being a dancer is a very unique thing in the world," Fenske, a senior at Duke University, told graduates. "Class of 2008, go out into the world and dance."

"Seniors we embark on a new journey as we leave this room today, and we are not starting from scratch," Fellman said. "Remember going to the dollar theater that doesn\'t cost a dollar, Wal-Mart and Starbucks runs, arguing over who gets shotgun," she said. "It\'s the simple things like that we will carry with us forever."

Sights and sounds:

After the graduate concert, "Unforgettable" played over the loudspeaker, as the faculty handed out yellow roses to each senior. A few students danced with each other and swayed to the music, as many hugs were exchanged. At one point during the ceremony, the graduates went into the crowd to give roses to loved ones as pianist Mona Thomas and flutist Nina Grossman performed "The Impossible Dream."

Fenske and Fellman both received standing ovations after their speeches, as did soloist Bettina Butler for her powerhouse rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Several of the students mugged for the audience - and parents\' cameras - after getting their diplomas, like Stephanie Defillo, who blew air kisses to the crowd, and John Williams, who popped Brook\'s shirt collar to cheers and whoops from the audience.

Notable:

Ten awards were handed out to the graduates, as well as a few underclassmen. A Special Recognition Award was given to the Parents\' Association because "they\'ve been influential to every aspect of the school," Tatom said. A new award, the VSA Tony Award, was given to Josh Holets and Lexie Klasing in honor of their abilities in dance, as well as acting and singing.

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