Eventgoers saw students showcase their artistic and musical talents on Saturday at the Young @ Art event. 

Each year, the event allows students to display a wide variety of artistic talents, with performances from the band, choir, and orchestra throughout the evening, and various art pieces on display for attendees to view as well. 

Young @ Art also helps aid the arts programs by encouraging parents to support fundraising through programs like the Oakwood Fine Arts Boosters. These boosters offer parents of Oakwood students the chance to support students in various arts programs by purchasing boosters. 

Delaney Cahill (10), who helped run the activity table for kids attending the event,  believes that the event is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents, as they might not have a ton of opportunities to do so elsewhere. “It gets to highlight people’s talents. Plus, this event expands students’ usage of what they can utilize because of the boosters and it expands their access to more materials, such as the new arts wing,”  Cahill said. 

However, it’s not just students who believe the new arts wing and this past weekend’s event helped students display their talents to a wider audience; it’s the faculty as well. 

Junior High principal Tim Badenhop believes that both events help show what the funds raised and boosters purchased will lead to in the future. “Both Young@Art and the opening of the Rick and Jane Schwartz Performing Arts Wing show what is possible when our community support is matched by great teaching and truly amazing student talent. The funds raised tonight will provide even more opportunities to improve our offerings well into the future,” Badenhop said. 

Even students who participate in creating art or making music feel that this event helps spread their talents. Kara Droz (9), a guitarist for the jazz band, believes that the event shows others how far they’ve come. “It shows how hard we’ve worked to get to where we are. It not only showcases our music, but our talents too,” Droz said. 

Although some may view the event as the start of something new for Oakwood’s performing arts programs, Mr. Badenhop doesn’t see it that way. “This is not a kickoff for us, but instead a continuation of how our school and community truly value the arts,” Badenhop said.