Features Overview
Step Team
by Catherine Spears
In the early 1900’s African Americans attended colleges in vast numbers. Once on campus, they created their own Greek letter group to support students academically, and socially, to serve the surrounding community. Stepping became a way of expressing love and pride for their organization. “Step to me is a form of unity which connects us as a whole system,” said Mr. Hopkinson.
On February 10, 2023, the Fresno Highs Step Team made their first official debut at the Black History Assembly. Since then, they have performed at the Lucky Spring Sports Rally and Open House. The Team consists of six members Arriana Bertoldi, Charles Walton, Leilani Stovall, Rayliyah Harp, Yaliyah Wade, and their advisor Mr. Hopkinson. These students have quite the luck as Mr. Hopkinson attended an HBCU called Savannah State University and was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Inc. “It feels awesome being able to teach the generation about Step,” he said, “I thought I wasn’t confident enough to teach but these members bring in so much creativity to their performances,” Akiiki Hopkinson continued to say.
Arriana Bertoldi told the Owlet, “It is kind of honoring having the opportunity to learn from who used to step because we get to connect through the culture, the step team is important to me because it is a way for all of us African Americans to be connected.” Stepping is a form of art developed through songs and dancing rituals performed by African American Fraternities and Sororities also known as HBCU’s.
Stepping is important in black culture as it holds means of communication and keeping hold of traditional aspects of the denied culture it serves as a link back to African tribal dances which were prohibited in many areas.
Senior IB Art Students Tell Their Stories Through the IB Visual Arts Exhibit
by Chia Na Vang
Fresno High IB Art students Zaitunah Mosleh, Elijah Williams, Lorraine Walker, and Paige Munoz have their art on display in N29. These pieces are from their Senior IB Visual Arts Portfolios, and they went on exhibition in March. The last day to see the exhibit was May 1, 2023, during lunch.
This Senior Exhibit is an “opportunity [for students] to present their art to the public. Like baseball and the field, and the theater with the stage. To show the world, the community, their work,” explained IB Art teacher, Ms. Robert. She made it clear that in IB Art, students have the freedom to express themselves while she merely supports their vision and provides help with different mediums.
Each student has their own focus. For Elijah, the theme was about his dreams. “I wanted my viewers to see and make connections between their own dreams and my pieces. I sought overall to make my art exhibition relatable to the audience and give commentary on the phenomena of dreaming.” Elijah used mediums such as colored pencils and cast powder(?)…His favorite piece is titled, Do NOT Use the Toilet in Your Dreams (WORST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE). He explained that most of his works had “one-word titles,” and he wanted to “test the limits,” so he gave it a long name that got the point of the piece across. One thing he struggled with was time management. “On average, each piece took about two months to finish. If I had managed my time better, I would have completed each a lot sooner than I did.”
Being that IB Art is a two-year course that begins a student’s junior year. Juniors work on their portfolios and comparative studies, which ultimately lead to their Senior Exhibition. Due to the bad weather this year, the Senior Exhibits were postponed and shorter. Ms. Robert informed students to look out for the next senior show because the goal next year is to have them regularly.
Zaitunah explained, “My art reflects my culture and the difficulties I've faced in my life. I want people to understand my culture, how people are treated there, and how historical and religious events have shaped it. My artwork covers more than just my culture.” A challenge she faced was finding a way to express her message in a way that made it easy for others to understand just by looking at her exhibit.
She went on to thank Ms. Robert for teaching her the power of self-expression and the impact art can have on the world. “She pushed me to challenge myself and to never settle for mediocrity. Her influence has stayed with me long after I left her classroom, and I strive to carry her lessons and guidance with me in all aspects of my life.”
