Pelham High School loves the Arts

Published 4:00 pm Monday, February 16, 2015

Ryan Weaver, Josue Roman, Conner Haynes and Kerry Joiner brought audience members to their feet during a grand finale at Write Night 2015. (Contributed)

Ryan Weaver, Josue Roman, Conner Haynes and Kerry Joiner brought audience members to their feet during a grand finale at Write Night 2015. (Contributed)

By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist

“Do we need a quote for this shirt?” I asked.

“Love the arts—that says it all,” one of the Lit Mag staffers said as we admired the image of their new Write Night T-shirt design projected on the large screen.

This year’s Write Night 2015 was a teamwork effort.

As usual, PHS Theatre and Lit Mag worked together.

Chef Allen also brought Culinary Arts on board to showcase another avenue of creativity. Adding culinary arts to Write Night’s celebration of the arts was the brainchild of Maggie Smith—and a delicious success.

Pelham High School alums also joined the party, making sure that their alma mater continued the success of a fully staffed Write Night.

Food and door prize donations from area businesses, restaurants and the PHS prom committee were very generous.

The most coveted prize among juniors and seniors—a pair of free prom tickets—went to PHS junior, Claudia Flaherty.

Students delighted to every prize drawing between acts winning everything from free movie passes to free dinners.

Thanks to the hard work of PHS art students and the dedication of their teachers Kim Harrison, Kim Hinds and Jenny Argo, magnificent artwork lined the auditorium lobby walls.

An enjoyable medley of talents graced the stage for this year’s Write Night including powerful spoken word performances from not only individual poets, but also collaborative poems and musical pieces.

Two spoken word poets signed up as result of an assignment to create a protest poem that they completed in PHS French and English teacher Courtney Hickman’s class.

“I am so proud of these students,” Hickman said. “Hearing them perform gives me chills.”

Surprise guest poets for the evening included former PHS teacher Cynthia Joyner and Pelham City Councilman Maurice Mercer sharing powerful poetry with their PHS audience.

Bringing the audience to its feet for a grand finale were musicians Ryan Weaver, Josue Roman, Conner Haynes and Kerry Joiner.

“Write Night ’15 was another great celebration of the arts,” said PHS theatre teacher Jamie Stephenson.

Write reveals that Pelham High School does love the arts.