Thirty-five Hickory High School (HHS) Interact Club students were guests of the Hickory Rotary Club for the Thursday club’s annual Career Day on March 9. Four seniors, nineteen juniors, and twelve sophomores were introduced to a variety of arts-related careers through member Rotarians: John Rambo, Executive Director of Hickory Community Theatre and current Hickory Rotary Club President; John Gordon Ross, Conductor of Western Piedmont Symphony; and Lisë Swensson, Executive Director of Hickory Museum of Art.
Students spent time at Hickory Community Theatre where the group was introduced to careers in professional theatre with concentrations in performance, technical, and administrative theatre. Leanna Bodnar, professional dancer and guest director of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, introduced students to simple dance routines.
Western Piedmont Symphony Executive Director, Ingrid Keller, presented the Tesla Quartet who provided an “Informance.” Responding to student questions, the Quartet members explained how they warm up before performances and how rehearsals take place. Closing remarks were made by Ross on the role of the conductor and with a peek into both the collaborative and the solitary aspects of the conductor’s world.
Students were guests of Rotarians as they lunched at Lake Hickory Country Club. Lisë Swensson introduced special guest, Caroline Collins, 16 year old soprano soloist and a junior at Hickory Christian Academy who performed for club members and student guests. Accompanying Caroline was Peter Corneliussen, composer and Director of Music Ministry and organist at Corinth Reformed Church. Dixon O’Hair, high school junior, provided technical assistance.
Caroline’s performance was dedicated to Camp LUCK, a nonprofit organization that serves to improve the lives of children and families coping with congenital heart disease. “Because my sister has a congenital heart defect, I understand how difficult it can be on the whole family when a child has a chronic illness,” Collins shared. “Camp LUCK provides support not only to the child, but also to the parents and even siblings.” Collins plans to use any donations to help send children to this medically supervised residential camp free of charge. For more information about Camp LUCK, visit online at www.campluck.com.
Lisë Swensson was presented a Proclamation from Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright in recognition of her 13 years of service at Hickory Museum of Art and pending retirement. Madison Yount, HHS English teacher and Interact Club Advisor, was recognized by President Rambo for engaging over 100 HHS students in service activities in the community and was presented an honorarium. Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs to help students develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Rotary’s motto: “Service Above Self”.
The Hickory Rotary Club was founded in 1921 by Watt Shuford. The club has a long history of giving back to the community through its primary service avenue of education. For more information about the Hickory Rotary Club, visit www.hickoryrotary.org.
