The amplifier., March 01, 2009, Page 7, Image 7

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Davis walks red carpet; competes as ARTS finalist
u
B rittany P eterson _________
"I was able to meet people
with amazing musical gifts
that I respected incredibly,"
Davis said.
The 30 high school
students selected from all
across the country walked
the red carpet and played
at the Grammy after party.
Davis also had the chance
to see people such as Herbie
Hancock and The Jonas
Brothers.
While Davis was in
Los Angeles, she also met
musicians such as trumpeter
Terence Blanchard, as well
as other students who are
just as dedicated to music as
she is.
The Grammy Band
is a "musical milestone"
according to Davis. It is
a common bar set to be
reached by young musicians,
and she was encouraged by
professionals such as pianist
Staff Reporter
It is noon in the suave
Five-O-Three Cafe, a small
crowd has gathered to
enjoy breakfast and senior
Kate Davis's soft playing
on the bass. Her singing
is gentle, with only drums
and a piano to back her up.
Everyone claps, then she
quietly announces her break
to enjoy her breakfast.
It has been a year of
opportunity and fulfilled
potential for Davis, senior.
In February, she was
selected to play in the 2009
Grammy Band traveling to
Los Angeles for ten days
- to play at all of the events
surrounding Grammy week.
This included nominee
parties and the Musicares
Person of the Year Tribute,
which this year honored
Neil Diamond.
Tom Grant and drummer
Ron Steen, with whom she
often plays.
Aside from the Grammy
Band, Davis was also
one of 6,000 applicants
countrywide to audition for
the youngARTS program
of the National Foundation
for the Advancement of
the Arts, a scholarship
competition. Only 140
students are chosen for
specific skills of the arts,
such as photography, art,
music or choir. Davis sent
in an audition video and
was chosen to go to Miami,
Fla. for a week where she
attended clinics and classes
with other outstanding
musicians.
"It was a week of being
inspired by incredibly
talented kids," Davis said.
Thirty of those students
were chosen to go to New
Olson leads Thespians to State as
competitor for third straight year
„ L ex / W elp __________________
Staff Reporter
^
Thespian co-president,
National Merit finalist,
straight A student, and a state
Thespian finalist for the past
three years, Caitlyn Olson,
senior, still manages to keep
a level head and tackle every
opportunity with hard work
and determination.
"No one works harder
than Caitlyn, but really it is
c o -p re s id e n t o f th e T h e sp ia n
H u m a n itie s . S h e w a s a ls o
troupe with Nicholas '
Altishin, senior. "It's our
job to facilitate the way the
troupe communicates with
each other," Olson said. Olson
and Altishin's "facilitating"
along with Murray's and
many others paid off when
the production of Picasso at
the Lapin Agile was selected
for state in April.
Olson is not in the
recently named a National
Merit Finalist.
"It is a really nice
recognition of the academic
work I have done," Olson
said. "I want to study
education; but still be
involved with the theatre
program," Olson said. Being
a National Merit Finalist
will help pay for college
and help her accomplish
her educational dream of
becoming a teacher. She feels
that it also acknowledges her
character and all the hard
work she has put into school.
"Caitlyn has so many
excellent character traits. Her
organization and attention
to detail make her a great
student, but my favorite of
all her qualities is her sense
of joy in the simple things,"
Murray said.
Even though Olson is in
the National Honor Society
and taking a challenging
class load during her senior
year, Olson is willing to do
the work and still find time
for her hobbies. With an
average of about one hour
of homework a night, Olson
finds time for reading, and
has been playing the piano
for the past 10 years. She
approaches it all with an
upbeat and positive attitude.
"I am driven to get stuff
done, but I am also really
aware of the people around
me," Olson said. "My senior
year, I have had so much fun
this year. I have learned a lot
and made many friends."
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Caitlyn Olson, senior, takes a break from her hectic schedule during
Rejuvenation Week. Olson qualified for State for the third year in a
row, this year competing in solo and duo acting.
Photo by Calley Lathrop
that her work is so focused
not just the time put into it,"
Jessica Murray, Thespian
adviser, said. Murray has
known Olson for the past
three years and has watched
her grow into the leader she
is today. "Caitlyn has really
grown into a phenomenal
leader this year. It wasn't
easy for her at first, but she
has gained confidence in
her own leadership skills,"
^M urray said.
Olson is currently the
Picasso production, but will
compete in solo and duo
acting competitions at the
convention. "I love going
to conferences as a group,"
Olson said.
Olson has been acting
since she was seven years old
and loves the shared sense of
pride she gains from being a
Thespian. Acting is not the
only place that Olson excels:
she is taking three honors
classes including AP Physics
and English and Honors
York at the end of March,
and Davis was among them,
The ARTS finalists receive
scholarship money, which
the youngARTS, along with
all the people Davis has
had the opportunity to play
with have created many
Kate Davis, senior, released her first self-titled CD "Introducing
Kate Davis" in September. It features her playing with well-known
musicians such as Tom Grant and Ron Steen.
Photo courtesy of Kate Davis
could be up to $10,000, as
well as opportunities— most
importantly many more
offers to gig with other
great musicians.
Davis balances school
and everyday life with
frequent absences. She
goes to school only two
periods a day, for CORE
history and English, and is
home at lunch. However,
she manages her time
well making sure to finish
homework before she heads
out to play during the night.
"The school has been
really cool with all of this,"
Davis said, as with her
trips to Miami, Fla. and Los
Angeles she has missed a
lot of school and will only
miss more in the months to
come.
Though she is busier
now, she said it is a "better
busy." She plays, whether
gigging or practicing an
average of four hours a day.
The Grammy Band and
openings for her, including
helping her decide where
she wants to go to school
next year. The Manhattan
School of Music has offered
her a full scholarship and
has waived the audition due
to her participation in the
Grammy Band. Davis also
auditions at the Juilliard
School of Music in March.
Earlier this year Davis
released her first self-titled
CD. It features well know
musicians of Portland,
including Randy Porter
on piano, Davis Valdez
on saxophone, Dick
Titterington of trumpet, and
Steen on drums. Already
Davis has sold over 1,000
CD's. It also features Davis
on voice and the violin,
which is her beginning
instrument. .
As her accomplishments
pile up; Davis manages
to stay focused on what is
important in life, her future
and her music.
"Fuel" motivates students
to alter their way of life
u
M ax H ays
____________ _
Staff Reporter
When Jim Hartmann,
environmental science
teacher, decided to show the
documentary called "Fuel" he
hoped that it would be an eye
opener for students.
"I wanted students to be
able to look at the situation
and realize that this (the
U.S. dependency on oil)
is a big problem and then
try to take an initiative in
doing something about it,"
Hartmann said.
Initially the film was
only going to be shown to
a select few science classes
but Jesselle Hedman, senior,
thought everyone should
see it. Teachers were invited
to bring there classes to the
event.
rail
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continued on page 11