WHS is known as a school that offers a strong academic program, but it is also known for its various art programs – music, fine art, and drama – that have enabled many current seniors to develop their more expressive sides. It is therefore no surprise that the arts have made a lasting impact on some graduating seniors.
“The memories I’ve made on stage and during rehearsals will stick with me forever,” said senior and member of the concert band Samuel Leonardo. “It has been one of the most meaningful things I’ve done in high school.”
While the big performances are often in the spotlight, for some students, the smaller events have left a deeper impression.
“I think one of the more impactful and fun ones [concerts] for me is the football games’ [pep band],” said senior William Zhang. “They are good for sports, and it’s really fun.”
Performing artists at WHS are not all musicians; for many students, the school plays have inspired them and sparked passions that have pursued for years.
“When I was in fourth grade, the high school did a production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ I went and watched it, and it was amazing,” said senior Saavani Datta. “The set was really good, the actors were really good, and that show is the entire reason I decided to do theatre and singing.”
Many of the seniors, like Datta, began their arts journey long before high school. With so much time invested, teachers who have taught these students in both middle and high school enjoy watching them grow and thrive.
“I’m very lucky in that I’ve had the seniors since they were in third and fourth grade – almost a decade,” said chorus teacher John Eldridge. “Not only have I seen them grow as musicians, but I’ve also seen them grow and turn into some really incredible people.”
For many students, involvement in the arts goes beyond the classroom, shaping their personal growth, creative talents, and social connections throughout their high school experience.
“Being part of the arts has given me some of the best memories. I learned to hone my drawing skills and also found some of my closest friends,” said senior Samara Link.
The arts can also be a way for people to explore ideas and feelings they might not be able to otherwise.
“Art class was always my safe space,” said Link. “Drawing helped me express things I couldn’t put into words, and it’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
While some students have been involved in the arts for years, others have only recently begun their journeys but are very happy that they did.
“Honestly, just starting [Graphic Design] has made a big difference,” said senior Caden Solomon. “It’s been really laid back, but at the same time, super engaging and fun. It’s something to always look forward to throughout the day.”
Part of what makes visual art classes enjoyable for students like Solomon is how flexible the assignments are, a flexibility that they may not find in some other subjects.
“I liked how much freedom we were given. All we were told was that we needed to make an album cover,” said Solomon. “[The teacher] was there if we needed her, but aside from that, we were given free rein to do whatever we wanted.”
While many high school performers and artists will not pursue the arts specifically in college, they have still found the experience of being involved in the arts rewarding and sometimes helpful in unexpected ways.
“Playing the viola taught me dedication and discipline, and a couple of college interviews I’ve done asked if I played an instrument, looking at it as a positive,” said senior Cian Ortiz.
As the seniors prepare to leave, they will carry with them not just the memories made in the arts, but also life skills and passions shaped by their time at WHS.
“Orchestra was more than just playing notes—it was about showing up, working together, and creating something meaningful,” said Ortiz.
