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Senior sets ISSMA record
fine arts
Dow achieves three golds at ISSMA state competition, reflects on band experience at Roncalli
BY NICHOLAS PLAHITKO Staff Writer
G
etting a gold at ISSMA is no easy task. Earning that award requires practice, talent, hard work and focus during the performance before the judge. Some particularly musical students often opt into competing in two separate instruments for the competition, but for senior Luke Dow, even that wasn’t enough. Dow signed up for Group 1 piano, snare drum and marimba performances and earned a gold rating in all three, making him the first Roncalli student to earn such a rating in three separate categories. Group 1 is the only division of ISSMA that can move onto state, requiring participants to memorize more challenging songs from a list. Dow’s family instilled a love for the musical arts within him and his older sister very early on in their lives. The diversity of instruments playing in their home ranges everywhere from percussion to string. These, among a few other percussion instruments including timpani, drum set and quads, are Dow’s specialty. “I’ve been playing piano for thirteen years and snare drum and marimba for six,” Dow said. Dow did not come from one of the South Deanery grade schools, instead graduating from Doe Creek Middle School in New Palestine, so coming to Roncalli was a challenge. “I met many of my first friends through band,” Dow said. “And [band director and teacher] Ms. [Kathy] Peach is one of the most loving people I know.” Dow became a familiar face in the band room and could often be seen practicing pieces on various instruments after school. This dedication, work ethic and passion for music is one of the factors that earned him the position of section leader for the drumline. Dow worked in close junction with the drum majors, seniors Jeffrey Amodeo and Adam Wolf to ensure smooth performances all season. “Since [Dow] was the section leader for drum line, we relied on each other [a lot],” Wolf said. “He was who I looked to if the tempo was off or if something needed to be changed.” Dow’s leadership and dedication was felt by Peach as well. “[Dow] cares a lot, [and] he is very loyal and hard working,” Peach said. “He leads by example and does a great job.” In the weeks leading up to his stellar ISSMA performance, Dow prepared tirelessly.
“For piano, I already learned the solo in a previous year, and it was one of the [options] for Group 1,” Dow said. “For snare, I would set up my practice pad and spend an hour each day practicing my solo, and… I would stay after school and practice on the schools marimba for four hours a week.” Dow plans to continue his musical career in college, with the idea of trying out for Purdue University’s marching band drumline. This is in conjunction with his plans to study physics after high school. “It is never easy to say goodbye,” Peach said. “I think we have all enjoyed having [Dow].” Wherever the road leads, Dow has given a lot to the Roncalli band community through his leadership and immense talent and will be missed as they wish him well.
PHOTO BY MEGHAN LOONEY
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Senior Luke Dow practices his piece on the marimba. This is one of the three instruments that Dow performed on at the 2018 ISSMA State competition.
Turning passion into career Witsaman plans to continue her love for art in college and as a career for people in need of therapy BY GRACE SILVER Staff Writer
S
enior Kathryn Witsaman discovered her love for art at an early age. She tried playing sports, taking up an instrument and writing stories, but nothing seemed to fascinate her as much as art and drawing. “I always enjoyed being creative, and art was another way for me to express this creativity,” Witsaman said. “[In grade school], I even got my mom to sign me up for an art
PHOTO BY GRACE SILVER
DETERMINED DOODLES: Senior Kathryn Witsaman sketches a picture of hair for her AP Studio art class. Witsman has been doing art since she was in grade school, but started to take it much more seriously in high school.
class at the community center.” Art started out as a hobby for Witsaman, but she soon started to research possible careers involving art and a new love she found during school: psychology. After much time spent researching careers, she stumbled upon art therapy. “Art therapy is an upcoming career that uses art as a therapeutic method to help people deal with obstacles,” Witsaman said. “I want to pursue this because it is a way for me to use art to help others and make a difference in their lives.” Art therapists work in all kinds of environments, such as schools, nursing homes or hospitals. They also experience working with all types of patients--those who are abused, soldiers who have PTSD, cancer patients. “I was talking to an art therapist when I was visiting Herron [School of Art and Design],” Witsaman said, “and she said she took the uniforms of soldiers, shredded them up and turned it into paper to draw on. It’s neat because [she] takes something that represents horrible experiences and turns it into something beautiful.” During her time at Roncalli, Witsaman started to take her art more seriously and see her art as more than just a hobby. As she drew more, she was able to see her improvements. After taking three years of AP studio art, she has been forced to try new things and think outside of her comfort zone. “I think [Witsaman] has become more confident in her decisions and has explored many more options in her work,” art teacher Mr. Mark Stratton said. “She is willing to take bigger chances than in the past.” After a long decision process, Witsaman decided to go to the University of Indianapolis (UIndy), even though she was accepted into Herron (IUPUI’s school of art). UIndy has a more specific and structured program that focuses on Witsaman’s major of art therapy. “I really like the program at UIndy,” Witsaman, “so I decided to go there because I felt like it would be a better fit for me and my major.” To get into UIndy’s art program, she had to present her portfolio (a collection of her works) and go through an interview to get scholarships. Witsaman started an Instagram page (@Sketched_Stuff) her freshman year so others could follow her artwork throughout her high school career. From quick sketches, to precisely drawn masterpieces, Witsaman proves she can conquer any piece of artwork. “It’s kind of scary to be an art major in college,” Witsaman said, “but I’m super excited for the opportunities it presents and being able to do something I love for a living.”
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