Rosemary Selke

Rosemary Selke is a sophomore on the Cardinal Mooney High track and field and cross country teams. Selke won the 800-meter run (2:33.65) at the Cougars’ district meet, held April 26 at Lake Placid High.

When did you start running?

I started running in the fourth grade.

My mom (Carol Selke) thought I should try running because she was a runner. I always liked it, but once I thought “Maybe I can get good at this,” that’s when I started trying hard.

What is the appeal to you?

I like running with my team and helping my teammates out however I can. I also like the competitiveness of it.

What is your favorite event?

It’s probably the 800 meters right now. I used to be a sprinter, but this year I have been running middistance races, and it has been working out.

What is your race strategy for the 800? I try to hang back and then speed up towards the end. I’m not someone who likes to lead for the entire race.

What is your favorite running memory?

It is probably going to the state meet in Tallahassee with the cross country team last fall. It was my first time running cross country and going up against the best runners in the state was a great experience, as was spending all that time with my team.

I’m going to run cross country next year, too, so hopefully I can get ever better.

What are your postseason goals?

I would like to get under 2:30 in the 800. I think that’s a good goal for me this year.

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate milk. I drink it almost every day.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

What are your hobbies?

I like to draw. I’ll draw whatever is on my mind, something creative. I like to spend time with my family, too.

What is your favorite subject?

I like English. It’s fun to write and express myself in that way.

Which superpower would you pick?

Probably the power to heal. I don’t like seeing others hurt.

What is the best advice you have received?

Coach Mac (Christi McDonald) convinced me to try middistance races. I didn’t think I would be good at them, but I tried it and I did decent. I’m glad she told me to give it a shot. Since I’m going to run another season of cross country next fall, I might try some long-distance races next track season, too.

Finish this sentence: “Rosemary Selke is ...“ ... Determined and hardworking.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Like many 11th grade students, Evanah Torres sometimes finds herself overwhelmed by school work on top of choir practice and other extracurriculars.

Yet, as she paints a wooden fence across from Riverview High School each afternoon, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s just another way to showcase her artistic abilities.

“I get to express myself, and I also get to show it to people who are passing by,” said Torres, whose panel of the fence features a sunset surrounded with orange sky and waters of gradated blue. “It makes me feel happy that I can bring that little bit of joy to others. And it also brings joy to me.”

Being chosen to paint the mural alongside nine other students was an opportunity she didn’t expect — not only because art opportunities were difficult to come by in her former home in Puerto Rico, but also because murals are new territory for Riverview High School.

That, and this project was initiated at the request of a homeowner.

Tom Cole had long thought about adding a mural to the fence alongside the Proctor Road home where he has lived for 12 years with his girlfriend, Nicole Rossler. However, it was Hurricane Ian that resulted in the idea becoming a reality.

After the storm forced him to install a new fence, what better time was there to have someone paint it?

He reached out to Riverview High School and connected with ceramics instructor Caiti Bauer.

Bauer wanted to bring a touch of color to a campus she said is otherwise made up of largely white walls.

She said the fence will be a step toward bringing murals to the school grounds, an initiative for which she has now gained approval from Principal Erin Haughey.

Since the beginning of 2023, Bauer has been working with Cole on the project, which involves students each painting one of the 10 panels of the 38-square-foot section of fence.

The project will end with Cole awarding $500 to the mural panel that students select as the winner in a vote to be held before the end of the school year on May 26.

A MURAL IS BORN

After Cole and Bauer connected, the project unfolded rapidly.

“I was absolutely amazed at the response Riverview gave,” Cole said, complimenting the work of Bauer and Haughey. There was an application period of roughly three months in which students could submit their suggested designs for the panels. Cole then selected the top 10 designs.

Cole said in a world in which lots of hatred and negativity is seen on social media and on the news, he wants to show people the good in the community through the actions of the students.

“Kids should be able to be outside, do what they love to do, express themselves and do something that people appreciate,” he said.

Bauer said based on the insistence of Cole, a graduate of Sarasota High School, the purpose of the display is to represent not only Riverview High

School, but all of Sarasota. Therefore, no imagery specific to Riverview was included.

Bauer and Cole also said the display deliberately avoids anything polarizing or political, focusing on celebrating the location of Sarasota.

The Work Is The Reward

Each afternoon since early April, students have headed to the fence and have often painted on weekends. Bauer accompanies students, and Cole occasionally steps outside to speak with them.

While students lead the creation of their panels, other student volunteers provide assistance, helping fill in certain areas. Everyone will receive around 50 volunteer hours for the project, but multiple students said contributing to the mural was itself a reward.

“This is a great opportunity because I have two more years at Riverview, and I want to help spread inspiration throughout the community by doing art that everyone can see for years to come,” said Bridget Weccele, a 10th grade student.

Weccele said she has been an artist since elementary school and became involved because she is a member of the National Art Honor Society. Outside of the mural, she paints frequently and also enjoys sketching and doodling.

Her panel in the mural mimics a broken wall, through which a sunset can be seen.

“Art really is like a language,” she said. “It’s able to express a lot, and I feel very connected to art because I’m able to express whatever I want.”

Torres said she wasn’t concerned about receiving an award.

“If I won the $500, it would be awesome, it’d be great, but it would also be great if it is given to someone who needs it more than I do. I think the process is worth way more than the monetary gain I can achieve from it.”

Bauer said the mural has taught students leadership.

“It’s been a learning experience for them, not just with the murals, but also to be in a leadership position, where they’re instructing their friends: ‘Hey, I need you to do line painting,’ ‘I need you to fill in this space with orange’ — whatever the circumstances.”

Cole said if people see the murals and appreciate the students’ work, they may consider having students paint murals in other areas, as well as donating to the arts program at Riverview High School and perhaps at Sarasota High School. Weccele said she hopes the project will inspire even more artists.

“I’m hoping that when people do see this artwork, and especially mine, they’re inspired to do art and not be afraid, just go beyond their limit, and spread ideas, and experiment, because in art, you can’t really do anything wrong. You do one thing and you can add on, (paint) over; nothing stays the same in art.”

Your Calendar

FRIDAY, MAY 5 CINCO DE MAYO-SECOND STREET CARNIVAL 11 a.m.-midnight. at 1435 Second St. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with tacos, margaritas and beer specials, as well as more than 10 local vendor stations. For this event, Circo: A Taco and Bourbon Joint, partners with Blaze of Hope, a local nonprofit that supports families with children impacted by life-threatening medical conditions. This event is free. For information, visit CircoSRQ.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 6 GET YOUR MUTT MOVIN’ — 5K RACE AND FUN WALK 7:30 a.m. (5K run) and 8 a.m. (fun run/walk) at Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane. Bring along your mutt for the third annual fundraiser benefitting CoreSRQ and Satchel’s Last Resort Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. Awards will be given to the fastest overall female and male runners and to the top three finishers in each age group. Also enjoy a vendor market featuring pet-friendly businesses and food and bakery items. 5K run $35. Fun run/walk $20. For information, visit RunSignUp.com.

CORVETTES ON THE CIRCLE

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle. This Corvettes-only car show by the Skyway Corvette Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary. All proceeds go to the Honor Flight Central Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure. Registration $50. For info, visit SkywayCorvetteClub.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 6 TO SUNDAY, MAY 7 CRAFT FAIR 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1 Central Ave. A variety of jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting, clothing and more — all handmade in America — will be on display, ranging from $15 to $3,000. An expansive green market with plants, orchids, handmade soaps and more complements the weekend, blending nature with nurture. This event is free. For information, visit ArtFestival.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 7

TEMPLE EMANU-EL MITZVAH DAY Noon at Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road. Over 300 volunteers

Best Bet

FRIDAY, MAY 5

CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION

AT FRESH FRIDAYS will be participating in two dozen different projects, including crafting friendship bracelets for foster families, making lunches for the homeless and baking cupcakes for charity, benefiting charitable organizations throughout Sarasota-Manatee. Free. For info, visit SarasotaTemple.org.

7-10 p.m. on Palm Avenue, adjacent to the Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave. The Downtown Improvement District and Art Ovation Hotel team up for a tasteful, fresh take on Cinco de Mayo celebrations at this month’s Fresh Fridays event. Former “American Idol” finalist Jonathan Cortez returns to headline the night’s music. Also included are Mexican-inspired cuisine, free Polaroid pictures and free gifts. Parking is available at Palm Avenue and State Street parking garages. Free. For information, visit DID-Sarasota.com.

MONDAY, MAY 8

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION

DISHES

6-8 p.m. at Publix Aprons Cooking School, University Walk, 2875 University Parkway. In a hands-on cooking class, learn how to memorialize your celebration by learning how to make a chilled pickled Florida shrimp roll and reverse-grilled jerk pork shoulder steaks with pineapple-serrano hot sauce. Tickets $60. Ages 18 and up. Visit ApronsCookingSchool.Publix.com.