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2006 "HHS Friends of the Arts" Scholarship Recipients

Harwich High School Friends of the Arts is a non-profit, independent organization of parents, educators, students and friends working to support, encourage and enhance the Arts education programs of Harwich High School through donations of funds, equipment and scholarships.

To this end, we work to build awareness of our Arts students' efforts, accomplishments and shows through programs, projects and fundraising. Subscribe to our eMail List(s) to keep informed of our activities.

The following appeared in the Cape Cod Chronicle supplement that highlighted Lower Cape Non-Profit Groups

Harwich High School Friends of the Arts

by Courtney Alex

HARWICH --- Harwich High School music teacher Rose Richards worked at various schools in her life and always dreamed about having a parent group help her with trips and outside opportunities in the arts department. That dream came true about six years ago when Harwich High School Friends of the Arts was formed (HHSFOTA).

Richards says the program is still in its infancy, but the organization has grown from a small group of parents, teachers, students and community members to an established 501 C(3) non-profit according to former president Bev Kelsey.

Kelsey and member JoAnne Brown say the whole organization started when federal funds supporting the after school pottery program disappeared. Parents, teachers, students and community members banded together to find new ways to support the program.

Kelsey said HHSFOTA is best described as "booster for the arts." From the birth of the group starting with nothing, a group, of teachers, parents and community members gathered at Ay! Caramba in fall 2003 and has now grown in both its core membership of about 15 and in its financial support.

Richards is proud of the group's accomplishments. One of the greatest accomplishments, she said, is the department's mobile Apple computer lab, a movable cart with 10 Mac laptops and a printer. They were also the first wing to go wireless.

The group also funds busses to shows and the Arts College Fair in Boston. They were also responsible for the alumni show held in January.

"This coming year is our fifth one," said Richards in an e-mail interview. "It's an awesome and joyous celebration of a significant part of the Harwich High School population's education after they have graduated."

They also give out scholarships to seniors graduating from the high school who are looking to pursue a career in the fine arts field.

More benefits include "advocacy and community awareness of the value of arts education," said Richards.

"We have an unusual situation in Harwich that the music, drama and art teachers are powerhouses that work and play well together and we are an 'arts department,' not separated entities," said Richards. Richards gave the example that most people from her choir do the drama productions and several band students do visual art.

The money they receive is put toward after-school programs, expense items for teachers, scholarships and non-funded items for the high school arts program. A gala at the Wequassett Inn on Oct. 24 raised nearly $10,000.

Kelsey and Brown are very thankful for the continuous help they receive from the community and are very proud of the students in Harwich.

"Harwich High School art programs have produced many talented students and have provided a pathway to the future for our young people," said Kelsey.

For more information visit www.hhsfota.org or e-mail info@hhsfota.org. Send donations to PO Box 775, Harwich, 02645.