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Pricer's color pastel attracts art collector
a
R il e y S w an son _______________
Staff Reporter
Although it took only 15
minutes to create, the water-
color pastel by Rachel Pricer,
senior, caught the eye of a
major art collector seeking to
purchase. The collector came
and talked to Pricer during
her Advanced Placement art
class about her piece, and at
the end of their discussion she
was paid $100 for her artwork.
Out of the hundreds of
pieces shown, the collector
was only interested in two,
one of which was Pricer's
pastel. For Pricer, who views
art as a hobby and interest,
but not a future profession,
she was very surprised that
particular piece won silver
in the Scholastic art show
• out of all her creations. Her
artwork was displayed in
the regional show where the
collector noticed it, and where
Pricer also won the Silver Key
recognition. For Pricer, who
is used to creating realistic
detailed pieces, not abstracts,
this was a complete surprise.
"I was mostly surprised at
how little time I spent on it
compared to my other pieces,
yet it won an award. Tm
still not quite sure what is so
interesting about the piece and
maybe it's because I wasn't
thinking of anything when I
made it," Pricer said. "That's
the thing I like about abstract
art, it doesn't have to have
meaning and anyone can find
meaning and imagery in a
blob of color."
"Sunrise," is a watercolor
with pastel over it that she
created in December when
guest artist Marla Baggetta,
came into the art class and
led a pastel workshop.
Reactions to the art were very
positive. Many people made
remarks about how they
liked the contrast, thought it
was inventive, or about how
the colors were so vibrant,
according to Lynn Pass, art
teacher.
"The
composition
was beautiful.
The piece was
_______ __________
_____ ^ __________
F n cer attracted the attention of a major art collector
finished to the
and also w on a Silver Key at the Scholastic Art show on Jan. 15. Pricer was surprised when she
appropriate
was offered $100 for her piece.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Pass
point," Pass said.
the opportunities it has given
recommends, "Create as much
I'm creating pieces
"It makes people
Rachel Pricer, senior
her to improve her talent,
art as possible. Get your art
of art for me—not
think, it makes
Photo by Hannah Zaayer
and will keep it as a personal
out there to be seen. There are
for the satisfaction of
them look at it
hobby.
so many venues, and lots of
others—and it's one of
for a long time."
"I have enjoyed art very
opportunities to show your
the most important things to
Pricer thinks that the
much. I love how broad it can
work. Art is everywhere."
remember about art," Pricer
creation of her pieces varies
be and all the different venues
Even though Pricer
said.
depending on her mental
of art that kept popping up,"
won’t continue on with art
For students who
focus at the time.
Pricer said.
professionally, she appreciates
are aspiring artists Pass
"Sometimes, I forget that
Students share eating, fitness, health habits
M ary W ood
Staff Reporter
With obesity in youth a
growing problem, health
and fitness have become
a major focus for many
people. Shows like "The
Biggest Loser" that promote
exercise and healthy diets
are hits, and junk food in
schools is being greatly
reduced, as is evident at
WLHS.
W LHS student responses
to an online survey showed
that 30 percent of students
reported exercising more
than 10 hours each week.
M ost experts recommend
betw een 30 m inutes to an
hour of exercise each day,
so this group of students
is doing a great job by
that standard. About 23
percent of students reported
exercising more than five
hours a week, and there
was a tie of 18 percent of
students who reported
exercising one to three hours
and three to five hours each
week. Only 11 percent of
students reported exercising
less than one hour per week.
M any of the students
who responded played a
variety of school and club
sports, but many cited other
activities they enjoyed, such
as running, yoga, biking
and martial arts.
"I like to
longboard,
snowboard
and skate. I
also have a habit of running
around all the time," a male
junior said of his athletic
hobbies. "The things I enjoy
are considered exercise, so I
do them. If I didn't enjoy
running around and
skating, I wouldn't
do it."
A major
complaint among
students was the lack
of ability to exercise
more.
"I NEVER
feel there
is enough
time to
exercise '
properly,"
a female
freshman
said. Many
students
agreed,
citing
school and
homework
as an
obstacle
in getting
the
amount
of
exercise
want.
"School
can give
a very hectic
^
schedule, and it is
even more stressful
now having to deal with
Joel Callagan, junior, practices after
school for the Varsity Tennis Team.
In an online survey, many students
said they use school sports as well
as other activities like yoga and
skateboarding to stay fit. Thirty
percent of students reported
exercising for more than 10
hours each week.
Photo by Adam Holmes
forecasting
and getting
ready for
finals. I
usually have
two hours of
homework
each night
and I still
w ant to have
time to have a
life," a female
sophomore
said.
Students who
didn't feel
the time
struggle
often lacked
transportation.
"If I could, I
would go to my
gym more, but
I can’t drive," a
male freshman
said. A lack of
resources at
school was also
a problem for some.
"The weight room is
barely ever supervised after
school," a female freshman
said.
W hen asked about the
importance of exercise, most
students valued it highly as
a way to achieve health.
"Exercise is pretty
important to me because it
is the only way to directly
change the way you look,
and how healthy you are. As
an athlete, it's important that
I stay in shape, and am the
best I can be," a male senior
said.
Some students feel
that exercise provides
a constructive free time
activity that improves stated
of mind.
"I always find I do better
in school when I have been
running consistently," a
female senior said. "It's a
huge part of mental health
as w ell as physical health;
what other time do I have
to think about absolutely
nothing?"
However, many students
felt that despite „the health
benefits of exercise, other
things in life like school
work are more important
and should take priority.
"Muscles won't get me
into college," a female junior
said.
Students were also asked
about their eating habits.
Nearly 58 percent reported
eating three meals a day,
28 percent reported eating
more than three, and 12
percent reported eating less
than three.
"I never skip meals.
Frankly, I need all three
meals," a female sophomore
said. "If you want to be
thinner, then skipping meals
is not for you. It's so much
easier to exercise than to
starve yourself."
Most students who said
they skipped meals said they
skipped breakfast sometimes
due to the morning rush
or not liking to eat early, or
lunch because of catching up
on school work, but some
had other reasons.
"First Sunday of every
month I skip breakfast and
lunch. Religious reasons.
Other than that, any meals I
miss are by accident," a male
senior said.
M ost students said they
don't keep track of factors
like calories and fat when
they eat.
"I don't keep track of
calories or fat, because I
feel that I should be able
to know how to eat. I stop
when I feel full. It's as
simple as that," a female
sophomore said.
Some students made a
habit of keeping track, but
have let go of the practice.
Health & Fitness
continued on page