Students showcase their skills at celebration

LAKE CITY — Students in Florence School District 3 recently showcased their artwork and provided many performances during the district’s annual arts celebration.

Arts in Our Schools was held Tuesday at the Blanding Street Auditorium, where school’s bands and choirs performed a variety of songs. Students’ artwork was on display in the district’s staff development room.

Florence School District 3’s Senior Director of Curriculum and Instruction Barbara Woodbury said the district has many artistically talented children and staff members.

“I always enjoy listening and watching them perform,” she said.

She has taught many of these students during her years in the district and thinks it is wonderful to see how they have developed and used their talents in such constructive ways, she said.

“I am so proud of each and every one of them,” Woodbury said.

“The district art show is always a chance for us to showcase the many talents of our students and fine arts staff, and as always they never let us down,” said Main Street Elementary School Principal Angelia Scott.

Scranton Elementary School Principal Darlene Matthews said she likes the idea of showcasing the talents of the district’s most talented students. Matthews said the interpretive dance performed by Lake City Elementary School and the artwork displayed from other schools in the district was amazing.

“We need to let the communities know what talented students we have in our district,” she said.

Visual arts teachers are Jennifer Maples of J.C. Lynch Elementary School, Jessica Morningstar of Scranton Elementary School and Olanta Elementary School, A.C. Barbour of Main Street Elementary School, Patricia Thomas of J. Paul Truluck Middle School, Jessica McColl of Ronald E. McNair Middle School, and Krystal Gause of Lake City High School.

Chorus directors are Gary Scank of J.C. Lynch Elementary School, Sara Robinson of Scranton and Olanta Elementary Schools, Angel N. Yock of Main Street Elementary Schools, Donna Reese of J. Paul Truluck Middle School and Ronald E. McNair Middle School, Faith Godwin of Lake City High School Ensemble/Concert Choir.

Band directors are Cliff Gardner of J. Paul Truluck Middle School and Ronald E. McNair Middle School and Susan Cox of Lake City High School. Kimyarda Hanna directs Lake City Elementary School Interpretative Dancers, and Betty Frances Stone is Florence School District 3’s Arts Coordinator.

W. Lee Flowers Inc. Advertising Director, Doug Stone was the Master of Ceremonies, and light refreshments were served in the conference room. IGA provided the refreshments for the event.