Happy New Year! Happy New School Year, that is!
Kingston High School Fine Arts Boosters (FAB) spotlights an incredible quartet. Blending harmoniously together are the four staff persons in the Arts Department.
You met in depth James Andrews, Visual Arts teacher, last month as he and his art show were highlighted. This month, you will catch up again with James Andrews, meet Casey Whitson, the new choir and band director filling in for Adam Campagna as he goes back to school, and learn new things about debate teacher Dee MacKinnon.
Alison Roberts, drama instructor, is in Colorado without technological contact (good for her). Meet her in-depth next month.
In his own words, here is the new music man:
“Greetings! My name is Casey Whitson, and I am the new interim band and choir director at KHS. I’m extremely excited to be here! I’ve already had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the music students at our band camp up at Fort Flagler, and I look forward to meeting everybody else. This is my first teaching position out of college.
“I attended Central Washington University for my degree in music education. Before that I grew up on Bainbridge Island and cut my musical teeth playing in the BHS band under Stephanie Dupuis.
“I feel blessed to be offered such a wonderful position teaching so close to home — here where I already have so many wonderful friends and colleagues in the musical community.
“My primary instrument is the trumpet, and I still play locally in various jazz groups. However, my true passion is teaching music no matter what the medium. I look forward to engaging in this passion here at Kingston High School.”
Dee MacKinnon responded to my request for a personal insight into her life with these words:
“During the summer I enjoy catching up with family, with pleasure reading and with creative projects. This weekend, my husband and I will be attending the the annual Northwest Steam Society meet in Anacortes. While my husband has his boat in the water I’ll be finishing “Kafka on the shore,” by Murakami. It’s the best book I’ve read this summer.
“I’m incredibly excited about our upcoming debate season.
“We have many strong returning debaters who have a personal goal of attaining NFL Academic All-American status. Coach Crane and I have improved the camp curriculum since it is the only time we have for extended instruction. Attending camp allows the debaters to have a jump on the season.”
An update by James Andrews:
“It has been a very busy summer! My show at ChocMo in Poulsbo was a fantastic experience and I have been fortunate enough to sell several pieces! “Now I am working very hard, preparing for the coming school year. In addition to the usual prep for our Studio Art, Pottery and Sculpture and AP Art courses, I have added Drawing 1 and 2 to the choices for our students. I am excited by the large number of students that have signed up for these new courses and I am looking forward to making them a lot of fun to learn in.”
