#1StudentNWI: Griffith High School Honor Society, Drama, Art take the spotlight

#1StudentNWI: Griffith High School Honor Society, Drama, Art take the spotlight

What’s Happening

For the past couple of years, Griffith High School National Honor Society has enjoyed leadership training by Ted Wiese, one of America’s best youth leadership development speakers. At this training on January 11, NHS participants were immersed in team-building workshops.

Students worked in groups to write a short song, complete challenges with speed and accuracy, and step out of their comfort zones. Participants learned the characteristics of leadership, and how to use them to become the future leaders of our school, and the world. In the morning, middle school National Junior Honor Society joined the program, and high schoolers were given a more advanced program in the afternoon.

Some students, such as Drew Davenport, are not members of NHS but still were selected to participate in the program.

“Even though I’m not in NHS, I was still selected for the program, and I’m really glad I was,” Davenport said. “I learned a lot about leadership, especially when we got to write and perform a song. If I wasn’t a senior, I would definitely want to be a part of this program again.”

Wiese speaks all over America to thousands of kids and adults each year. He also speaks at conferences and keynotes, and provides professional development for adults who want to learn how to work collaboratively in an exciting, immersive way.

What’s Coming Up:

January 18-20, Griffith Theatre Company students will travel to Indianapolis for the 2019 state conference at Franklin High School. During this three-day event, thespians will watch high school productions that won regional titles at previous competitions. A multitude of workshops will be available to expand students’ interests and talents. Workshops include Broadway yoga, improv classes, accent classes, mime, and more.

For students involved in the technical side, there are tech challenges such as knot tying, lighting, and more. Juniors and seniors who wish to pursue theatre in college can audition for scholarships. Individual events are available for solo songs, monologues, duets and dialogues. At the end of the conference, “Best of Show” awards are presented. Seniors can compete for the distinguished senior award, and a theatre educator will be inducted into the “Hall of Fame.” On Sunday, raffle winners are announced for the signed Broadway poster, and shows such as “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Mean Girls” will be presented.

“I’m really happy to go to state because of how much everyone has loved it in the years previous,” freshman Abby Morrison. “I’m really hoping to see and meet new people from other theatre companies during the weekend, and I can’t wait to do an event for the first time.”

Teacher Spotlight:

Art teacher and drama technical director Jim Graff has been teaching at GHS for 25 years, after getting a degree in visual arts education from Ball State. Graff teaches 3D art, photography, and ceramics. He is also the technical director for Griffith Theatre Company at GHS. Here, he designs, builds, and paints the sets for each show, and teaches students the trade, including how to work the light and sound booths. He also works technical support for the middle school shows.

“I enjoy working with young people and giving them inspiration,” Graff said. “I love when I’m teaching and kids get that ‘a-ha’ moment when learning or when they come into class excited for a project or finally grasp a difficult concept. I love seeing passion develop in my students and seeing their excitement when they walk in wanting to learn. Kids look up ideas on Flickr and Pinterest and ask questions on how to do things and try new concepts.”

Graff makes ceramic art as a hobby, and gifts them to friends and family. He loves sharing his love of art with students.

“I love teaching art because it’s something different every day,” Graff said. “I couldn’t be a regular teacher and just stand and talk all day, so I was meant to teach art. That’s why I work with set crew [drama], too. I love working with my hands and teaching others.”

Student Spotlight:

Senior Richard Damron has been swimming since his freshman year, and started swimming year-round in the beginning of his junior year. “What got me into swimming was my dad. He was a varsity swimmer at Lake Central and wanted me to try it,” Damron said. “Even though I wasn’t very good freshman year, I loved it because I was improving a lot.”

Damron has received a number of awards, including the 50 free and 100 butterfly school records, MVP, team captain, four conference championships, four first team all-conference selections, swimmer of the week for Region Sports Nation, and is a six-time sectional finalist.

“My motivation is that I always wanted to be faster than my dad, but my main motivation is that I hate losing in anything. I’ve always thought that if you’re going into something, it’s important to try to be the best,” Damron said.

If the right schools offer, Damron says he is open to swimming in college. Outside of swimming, he goes to GHS sporting events, plays video games with his friends, and hangs out with his girlfriend Hayley, who is also on the swim team.