NCPS celebrates student talent at Celebration of the Arts ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (March 26, 2025) – Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) hosted its annual Celebration of the Arts on Tuesday, March 25, at Rocky Mount High School, recognizing the creativity and accomplishments of student artists and performers from across the district. Held in conjunction with Arts in Our Schools Month, the event featured a districtwide student art exhibition and live performances. Each school’s art teacher selected one student piece to represent their school. Students stood beside their work to discuss their “I’m very excited because I like art,” said Elodie Wanamaker, a fourth grader at Red Oak Elementary. “Our art class is really creative, and I have a lot of friends in it who are really creative too.” Northern Nash High School sophomore Vivian Vu also spoke about her experience as a student artist. “Art has been a hobby of mine since I was younger,” Vu said. “In high school, I am taking AP Art, which pushed me to take my creativity to the next level. That class has opened my eyes and helped me connect more deeply with my work. It made me start thinking seriously about what I want to do with art in the future.” The evening began with a performance by the Elite Dancers from Nash Central High School. The group performed to “Love in the Dark” by Adele, a routine choreographed by Maddie Worsley, a former Dancentral dancer and current dance education student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The Rocky Mount High School orchestra performed during the exhibition, providing a musical backdrop as guests explored the gallery. Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services and Accountability Melissa Dancy-Smith delivered the welcome to guests and took photos with each featured artist. The artwork will be transferred to the Superintendent’s Gallery at the district’s administrative office in Nashville, where it will be exhibited for one year. “The event offered a meaningful opportunity for students, families and community members to celebrate the role of arts in education,” said Wendy Hinson, AIG and fine arts coordinator for Nash County Public Schools. “It highlighted the powerful impact of creativity and expression in our schools.” The Celebration of the Arts is an annual tradition in Nash County Public Schools and reinforces the district’s commitment to supporting the arts as an essential part of student development. ### Media Contact: Heather Louise Finch, Executive Director of Communication/Public Information Officer hlfinch@ncpschools.net

Media Release - NCPS celebrates student talent at Celebration of the Arts

Heather Louise “HL” Finch

March 27, 2025

NCPS celebrates student talent at Celebration of the Arts

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (March 27, 2025) – Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) hosted its annual Celebration of the Arts on Tuesday, March 25, at Rocky Mount High School, recognizing the creativity and accomplishments of student artists and performers from across the district.

Held in conjunction with Arts in Our Schools Month, the event featured a districtwide student art exhibition and live performances. Each school’s art teacher selected one student piece to represent their school. Students stood beside their work to share their inspiration and creative process.

“I’m very excited because I like art,” said Elodie Wanamaker, a fourth grader at Red Oak Elementary. “Our art class is really creative, and I have a lot of friends in it who are really creative too.”

Northern Nash High School sophomore Vivian Vu also spoke about her experience as a student artist.

“Art has been a hobby of mine since I was younger,” Vu said. “In high school, I am taking AP Art, which pushed me to take my creativity to the next level. That class has opened my eyes and helped me connect more deeply with my work. It made me start thinking seriously about what I want to do with art in the future.”

The evening began with a performance by the Elite Dancers from Nash Central High School. The group performed to “Love in the Dark” by Adele, a routine choreographed by Maddie Worsley, a former Dancentral dancer and current dance education student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The Rocky Mount High School orchestra performed during the exhibition, providing a musical backdrop as guests explored the gallery. Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services and Accountability Melissa Dancy-Smith delivered the welcome to guests and took photos with each featured artist.

The artwork will be transferred to the Superintendent’s Gallery at the district’s administrative office in Nashville, where it will be exhibited for one year.

“The event offered a meaningful opportunity for students, families and community members to celebrate the role of arts in education,” said Wendy Hinson, AIG and fine arts coordinator for Nash County Public Schools. “It highlighted the powerful impact of creativity and expression in our schools.”

The Celebration of the Arts is an annual tradition in Nash County Public Schools and reinforces the district’s commitment to supporting the arts as an essential part of student development.

###

Media Contact:

Heather Louise Finch, Executive Director of Communication/Public Information Officer

hlfinch@ncpschools.net