There are 23 classes in the art department at this school, spread across visual arts, performing arts and family and consumer sciences (FACS), but the numbers only tell part of the story. Some courses stretch all the way to AP levels, others double back into two or three-year classes, but each one offers the same thing: a place to push past what students thought they could do. From national competitions and all-state ensembles to beginning to find a footing, students here learn that art isn’t just an elective; it’s a way of moving through the world. And for four of them — freshman Ray Spivak, sophomore Jonathan Henderson, junior Olivia Shin and senior Victoria Olanrewaju — that journey has taken the center stage.
Jonathan Henderson, 10
Henderson began playing the viola in the seventh grade, and what seemed to start as curiosity quickly became a passion. He got serious about the instrument the following year, and within months, he earned a spot in the Maryland All-State orchestra, an “ensemble of the most accomplished student-musicians in the state,” all of whom were selected through a rigorous audition process. Soon after that, he was accepted on a national level to the National Youth Orchestra, where he was given the role of principal violinist. His playing was also recognized outside of school, with Gov. Wes Moore presenting him with an award and citation for “Exceptional Playing at a Young Age.” “I’m continuing with the program again this year, [and I also] plan to continue the viola for college. I want to go to Juilliard and study viola as a major,” Henderson said.
Despite being a part of advanced ensembles for the last three years, the arts program at this school benefits Henderson greatly, he said. In his freshman year, he took the first level of Honors Symphonic Orchestra, and he is now taking the second level for his sophomore year. “Having good [band and orchestra directors] here, like [Susan] Eckerle and [Carolyn] Herman, has helped me grow as an instrumentalist. Having orchestra class every day and having them give me good advice throughout these last two years has also helped me grow as a person,” Henderson said.
Ray Spivak, 9
For Spivak, theater and the arts department are a community, welcoming him with open arms. He has been acting since the sixth grade at Cabin John, where he most recently took on the titular role in “Beetlejuice Jr.” this past spring. “I enjoy the tightly packed community that [theater] builds with people. It’s a very comfortable and safe space when I walk into rehearsal. I really like acting; I like improvising a lot. Now, I wouldn’t want anything to go wrong on stage, but when something does go wrong, it’s kind of fun to sort of be in the moment and improvise things on the spot,” Spivak said.
Along with theater, Spivak is one of the 24 students in the school’s premier a cappella group, The Acatonics, and this fall Spivak takes the stage as JoJo, one of the main characters in “Seussical.” “We’re working at a much better pace than back in Cabin John since there’s more time. We also need more people; everyone is welcome,” Spivak said.
Victoria Olanrewaju, 12
Olanrewaju has been singing for as long as she can remember and is one of the senior captains of The Acatonics. Similar to Spivak, she joined the group during her freshman year, seeing both major wins and equally major losses throughout her four years. From winning the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) quarterfinals her sophomore and junior years, to releasing an album on Spotify, she has collected accolades that reflect talent and hard work.
As a senior captain, it is Olanrewaju’s job to mentor the younger members. “Being senior captain is a lot of responsibility. This year is a bit different from our previous years in the fact that we have a pretty large underclassmen representation in a cappella. Usually, it’s mostly upperclassmen, not as many freshmen. So when I got into the group my freshman year, it was really rare. There were only four of us, and we felt very isolated from the rest of the group. I have that unique experience, so I can relate to this year’s freshmen, and I see myself in them,” Olanrewaju said.
Her passion is matched by gratitude for teachers like choral director Keith Schwartz, who “is a great teacher and sees the potential in every student he teaches,” Olanrewaju said.
Olivia Shin, 11
Shin is one of the most acclaimed and accomplished students in the visual arts program here. In her freshman year, she jumped straight into honors painting 3; in her sophomore year, she took AP Drawing; and she is currently taking AP 2D Art and Design. Much like Olanrewaju, Shin has been painting her whole life, so joining these courses right off the bat did not seem out of the ordinary. “Painting has helped me become more creative in the sense that I have an open heart and an open mind to everything around me. I take a lot of inspiration from Asian artists, but I also take a lot of inspiration from TV shows, like cartoons and the way that they draw their characters,” Shin said.
Shin has won awards for her pieces, including recognition from Rep. Jamie Raskin and the Yellow Barn program, which is “a haven for budding artists and experienced painters.” In Raskin’s office, Shin’s painting “Mirror of Disgust” is hanging, and will be until next year. She also got into both the Yellow Barn program and the University of Maryland art show in her freshman year, with her painting titled “Fragments of Being.”
Art at this school is not just an elective; it’s a hub for students to grow and find themselves within a larger community. Each of these four: orchestral, theatrical, choral and visual arts, shows how this department shapes skill and identity, whether that’s standing under lights, painting in silence or playing an instrument until it’s second nature. “Art is definitely an expression of who you are. And even though there are a lot of restrictions on art, especially during classes when you have projects, it’s always best to try and keep an open mind and open heart to what you’re being taught. The whole art community at Wootton is always willing to listen to my ideas, and they always make sure that your artwork gets some kind of representation,” Shin said.
