FCAL features high school art; band director receives honors

For more than 30 years the Flagler County Art League (FCAL) has hosted The High School Student Art Show.

This year’s show opened with 143 pieces of art created by Flagler high school students.

“What is wonderful, is that all of that talent is in one place – one of the students told me it was just fantastic to see all of the classes from both schools – she loved seeing what the other students are doing” Ann DeLucia, president of FCAL, said.

Students from Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools participated this year, under the guidance of the district’s art teachers, which  included Ed Beckett, Chelsea Schlaffer and Angie Biggs from FPC; and Amy Taylor and Alison Clauson from Matanzas.  Judi Wormeck of FCAL, and the Gargiulo Foundation’s “Artist of the Year” for Flagler County, was the judge.

“It was so nice to see such a huge crowd of people there for the awards, especially students and their parents!  I hope that the crowds continue to grow every year!  I think they were all treated by seeing some wonderful student artwork” Beckett said.

Students competed in painting, drawing, photography, digital art, digital design, colored pencil, mixed media, and black and white photography categories, with winners in each category. The show will be on display until Jan. 10.

FPC’s Band Director John Seth is honored for his work

Flagler Palm Coast High School’s John Seth has been honored as one of “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by School Band and Orchestra Magazine, and was featured in the December issue. This is the 19th year the magazine has highlighted a music educators from each state. According to the publication, current and former students, colleagues and parents submit nominations.

Seth has taught for 13 years, 9 of them at FPC. He was named the Teacher of the Year for Flagler Palm Coast High School in 2014. Last year, Seth was presented with the Shine Award by Florida Governor Rick Scott. The award is presented to educators and school administrators who make significant contributions to education.

Under Seth’s direction, students in his program consistently earn superior marks at all Florida Bandmasters Association contests.

To give a better insight into how Seth views his music program and the role it plays, look no further than the answer he gives to the question, “What is your proudest moment as an educator?”  His answer goes far beyond one moment.

“It is always wonderful to see a student who can independently use his or her own experiences to be a good problem solver. To all the former students, who are out making a difference in their communities, or that have continued in music, I am very proud of you.”

Flagler Schools is very proud of Seth, and congratulates him for this honor.