Biglerville High School students played a core role in the Pennsylvania Farm Show this month, where their artistic and musical talents were on display.
Using hundreds of apples in shades of red, green and yellow, Canners designed and built the apple mural that was on display through the Farm Show in early January.
Biglerville High School senior Haylee Smith, president of the National Art Honor Society at BHS, designed the mural. Smith was joined by her fellow NAHS students to create the artwork at the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. They were joined by a team of students from the shop department who helped build the framework for the mural.
Art teacher Shawn Heiges and technology education teacher Bob Dwyer worked together with Ellie Hollabaugh Vranich to coordinate the project. Vranich chairs the Farm Show committee for the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania.
The apples were donated by Rice Fruit Company.
“This mural is put on each year by the State Horticultural Association of PA,” Vranich wrote in an email. “This organization represents apple growers from around the state of PA and works hard to support the apple industry by supporting research projects, scholarships, and other educational opportunities. Money raised from apple sales at the Farm Show go directly to support this cause.”
Canners’ artwork was not only on display at the Farm Show, but their musical ability, too.
The Biglerville High School Select Chorus, comprised of 10 students, was selected to sing the National Anthem at the opening of the Farm Show on Jan. 7.
Starting each day of the Farm Show with the National Anthem is a tradition, and one that singers compete to be a part of.
The Biglerville High School Select Chorus, directed by Nicole Kelley, was chosen as one of 20 finalists by a panel of judges from more than 40 qualified entries, according to a news release from the high school. “Finalists’ performance videos were shared on Facebook, where public fan voting determined which groups would perform live during the week,” the release said.
The idea to enter came from the students.
“It was completely their initiative,” Kelley said in the release. “We spent a day walking around campus to find the perfect spot to record our submission — and they nailed it on the very first take.”
Principal Beth Graham and Interim Superintendent Don Bell praised the students for their performance.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and the talent they bring to every performance,” Graham said in the release. “Their hard work and dedication shine through, and this honor reflects their abilities and the strength of the arts in our school. The Upper Adams community is proud to have them represent us at the largest indoor agricultural event in the United States.”
“All our kids, staff and administrators are such great representatives of the Upper Adams School District,” Bell said in the release. “Awesome job done by all!”
Featured image caption for chorus photo (left): Caption for the chorus photo:
Back: Austin Woltz, Kimberley Esquivias, Keira Gorman, Kiersten Englebert
Front: Maia Niedererr, Kaitlyn Gills, Sylviona Perry, Joy Chapman, Blake Lady (Raphael Salazar not pictured)
Mary Grace Kauffman, freelance reporter, worked six years as a full-time reporter for newspapers in Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has covered topics including business, crime, education, government and features. Mary Grace has a bachelor's degree in communication/journalism from Shippensburg University. She resides in Adams County.
Congratulations to the students and staff of UASD for their fabulous participation in the PA Farm Show! Adams County residents should be so proud of their enthusiasm and initiative in the Apple Mural project and singing the National Anthem at the opening ceremony.