The Bolles School’s Phoenix Society recently inducted its 2017 class at a special ceremony for the Arts Honor Society held on the Bolles Upper School San Jose campus.
This year’s induction class includes Darden Alexander ’18, Asha Anderson ’18, Duncan Evans ’17, Angel Fuentes ’17, Brittany George ’18, Devon Haskell ’17, Nicole Lerner ’17, Sarah Kate Levin ’18, JiaYin Li ’18, Zixing Lieu ’18, Qian Lou ’18, Sage Lucas ’18, Mercer Peek ’17,
Natasha Pillai ’17, XiaoXian Qu ’18, Kareena Sharma ’17, Will Skinner ’18, Baylie Stift ’18, Annie Thanner ’17, Liuhui Xiao ’17, Isabel Vasquez ’18 and Honorary Faculty/Staff Inductee KC Cassell.
Bolles Fine and Performing Arts Director Laura Rippel and Phoenix Society Sponsor Kelly Cullen led the induction of new student members at Lynch Theater. Friends, family, faculty and society members attended.
Jeffrey Farrell, a former Bolles band student who also starred in the Bolles productions of “Oklahoma!” “You Can’t Take it with You,”and “As You Like It,” was the alumni guest speaker. Now a medical student at the University of Florida, he shared with the students how art connects people and how his own Bolles art experiences helped him conquer his fears, build confidence, make friends, build relationships and find discipline.
“The arts can teach you all those things,” said Farrell.
Founded in 1967 by noted Bolles arts educator Arthur Carnes, the Phoenix Society is an honor society within the Bolles fine and performing arts department that recognizes juniors and seniors who excel in two or more areas of the arts. Phoenix Society candidates demonstrate a commitment to the demands of artistic vision, enjoy the process of creative discovery, and show gratefulness and humility in the face of achievement.
