The Literary Tea was hosted on January 12 to give Creative Writing, Public S (peaking, and vocal and instrumental students a chance to shine.
Students participating in these classes were encouraged to perform and to share artistic pieces that would best show off their talents.
Some classes as well as parents were able to attend.
Academics Project Manager Louise Geczy said, “While we have Fine Arts Night, plays, concerts, and other major programs which showcase the amazing talents of students in this aspect of JC life, it is also important to provide individual students enrolled in Public Speaking, Creative Writing, and vocal and instrumental courses an opportunity to share their talents outside of the classroom in a more intimate venue. This is why I instituted the Winter and Spring Literary Teas several years ago when I was teaching Speech and Creative Writing. Now that Speech has been revived as a Fine Arts elective, this provided an opportunity to revive the teas.”
In addition to students, some faculty and staff members showcased their own talents.
Social Studies Teacher Robert Schick adapted his famous “It’s Thursday” song to “It’s the Weekend” in addition to several other variations, including a song to support the Ravens.
Also performing were Religion Department Chairman Mike Kimble, Art Teacher Bart O’Reilly, College Counselor Darrion Siler, and Director of Technology Greg Russell.
Sophomore Madison Cignatta, a member of the Public Speaking class said, “My favorite part of the tea was seeing everything everyone else created.”
Madison recited a poem called “Everything Mom” by Joanna Fuchs.
Sophomore Addison Weaver, a member of the Creative Writing class, read her original poem called “As Years Pass.” She said that participating in the Literary Tea “was a good experience.”
In addition to some original content, students shared excerpts from major pieces of literature from Edgar Allan Poe and William Shakespeare.
Mrs. Geczy was impressed with the talents demonstrated by the students. “I love seeing students move beyond their nervousness and doubts about sharing in a larger setting and allow themselves to shine. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and being willing to share a piece of yourself is a powerful life lesson. Plus the talents and gifts of speech, music, dance, and art that JC students possess are always a joy to experience.”
Sophomore Bethany Davies worked with Devin Vichot to create a poem for the Literary Tea in the Creative Writing class. “My partner and I were not sure right away what kind of poem we would write for the Literary Tea. It didn’t immediately come to us. However, we started by writing down descriptive words and seeing where it went. Our poem was written by both of us; we each wrote every other stanza. Together, with our different writing techniques and styles, ‘The Illuminated Night’ was formed.”
Senior Al Riska commented, “I’ve recently been re-learning piano pieces from years past in order to prepare for a senior recital. ‘Prelude in G Minor’ is one of those pieces, so I decided to perform it as both a way to practice and to contribute to the Literary Tea. Rachmaninoff is my favorite composer. I’ll take any chance I can get to perform his work. I’m definitely pleased with how everything went. I think the Literary Tea overall was a great way to show off the talent of students at JC. I’m pleased with my own performance, and I’m looking forward to the next Literary Tea in the spring.”
Sophomore Aidan Able said, “I decided what kind of poem I was going to write with my partner Andrew, and we came up with that based on things that we both like and that can relate to our everyday lives. One of the biggest things that we have in common is that we are both student athletes, and we both play basketball, so choosing our topic was pretty easy.”
Sophomore Aaron Moccia, who read a dialogue with junior Tony Pate, said, “The best part of the Literary Tea was being able to see how much we all improved, as well as being able to hear what everyone worked so hard on.”
The event itself lasted for about an hour and a half. After the students and faculty read and performed, there was a reception with tea and pastries filled with a variety of jams and fruits. There were also cinnamon buns.
Mrs. Geczy said her expectations were met, and she was pleased by the performances. “My hopes were that students would discover or confirm strengths they possess, that they get outside affirmation of their accomplishments, that they end up feeling good about what they have done, and that their family members and faculty/staff get a chance to see them shine in an alternative way.”
Mrs. Geczy added that she hopes that Literary Teas continue to be a twice-a-year tradition at JC.
The Spring Literary Tea is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 in the middle of Patriots Week.