Land O' Lakes High Students Promote Literacy Through The Arts

The connection between reading and creative pursuits was made clear during first ever Evening of Literacy Through the Arts, March 9.

The event, sponsored by the LEAD Literacy Team and the media/tech department, was an idea that stemmed from the school’s literacy team. The group wanted to promote reading for pleasure and decided to combine a book fair with an interactive event that would also attract parents to the campus.

The idea really came to fruition when faculty members realized they could combine these performances with Read Across America week.     

“Our main purpose is to show how important – and fun – reading can be," said media specialist Lina LaBarbara. "Because we use the arts to express themes and story lines, literacy is necessary in all domains. We have also been doing student and teacher book talks on the morning news each day, a door decorating contest, and a book donation drive. All of this activity has certainly gotten students talking about reading ... which is always a plus.”

Activities were stationed throughout the school, including an eye-catching art gallery in the main commons area where students displayed and sold their masterpieces. 

“I enjoy teaching them the business of art. Many of my students will be choosing the arts as their professional career path and it is great for them to get some ‘world experience’ now.  They learn about selling, developing relationships with buyers and clients, and the positive feeling that comes with selling their work. Art is a silent – yet visual – form of work and it’s important to get it out there and share it with others,” said art teacher Cynthia Smith. 

The Scholastic Book Fair, French Club and German Club were tucked away in the library. Both foreign language groups were eager to teach others basic words and phrases (dubbed “Survival French” by French teacher and club head Jillian Bentley) and share the lifestyle and culture of their respective countries. 

“We are a community service club that is open to anyone who wants to learn about the culture and language," said 17-year-old senior Ben Kessel. "Our teacher isn’t here tonight because she is at the airport picking up three teachers and ten exchange students. Our guests are from IGS Kandel School in Germany and they will be here for two weeks.  We are excited to meet them and introduce them to our culture.”

Drama teacher Ramona Quave said, “This is so much fun for my students and me. We are used to full-length plays and these casual performances are so much fun and stress-free for us.”

ASL (American Sign Language) student, 16-year-old Jessica Dorsey, signed one of her favorite songs, Sugarland’s "Stuck Like Glue."  The junior had been practicing for about six weeks but said she felt much more comfortable once she spotted her friends lip synching and dancing along with her. 

“I chose the song because it’s happy and upbeat and we need more of that.  I ended up in my ASL class by accident; I was signed up for another course and there was a mix up. Call it fate.  I love it so much now and want to be an interpreter now,” said Dorsey.

Other highlights included a trifecta of performances by the jazz band, chorus and concert band, and  Pasta Primavera cooking demonstrations led by the school's culinary instructor and students, who are eagerly awaiting their brand new three-kitchen Culinary Academy this August on the school grounds. 

“We’ll be working with the agriculture department to grow our own herbs, plants and citrus trees,” explained Jessica Cooper, the culinary teacher.

Food was provided by the Lake Wilderness Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and beverages courtesy of the Land O’ Lakes Athletic Booster Club.

“It’s an honor for us to come and support a fellow school,” said Beef’s manager and Booster Club president Mike Connor.

“Tonight was so interesting," said French Club member Kayla Ostrowski, 15. "There were so many things to do and see and I got to see a lot of my friends perform and show off their talents.” 

Angie Taveras, 15, agrees.

“I loved this," said the fellow French Club member. "It was an amazing idea and I really hope we do it again year after year.”