On Thursday, April 19, Choate held a meeting of the Student Life and Athletics Committee of the Board of Trustees. Students and faculty members representing different departments attended with the task of sharing their Choate experiences. Although the Board of Trustees meeting happens once every term, this year’s was definitely a special moment for the Arts Department, as it was their first ever attendance.
Representing the Arts Department were Ms. Kalya Yannatos, the Director of the Arts Department; Katherine Burgstahler ’18, a student representative of the music division; Medina Purefoy-Craig ’20, a student representative of the theater division; Caleb Maddox ’20, a student representative of the visual arts division; and Di’Anna Bonomolo ’20, a student representative of the dance division. The meeting was centered on student perspectives, which in the case of the arts meant primarily members of the Arts Concentration program. Over lunch, these members and the trustees discussed the pros and cons of arts at Choate.
Ms. Yannatos explained, “The Board of Trustees were mostly interested in looking at the campus in the student’s lens. One of the conversations I found interesting was when the students shared their thoughts on whether taking arts classes is decreasing students’ chance of going to a prestigious college.” One student brought up the concern of how the pressure of the college process limits students from taking arts courses, for students fear that an arts class equates to a less serious, or even easy, choice. However, Lily Kops ’18, who attended a part of the meeting, claimed that taking a class she enjoyed was more important than college pressures, and that this is what made her Choate experience so special. Ms. Yannatos said, “I was very impressed and proud when she shared her perspective with the trustees.”
The Board of Trustees were also interested in the question, What do students’ lives look like at Choate? Purefoy-Craig said, “Honestly it seemed that the board was mostly worried about the students. How are the requirements stopping people, and what do we want from this program [arts concentration] at Choate? I think our concerns were heard and hopefully they will be taken into consideration.”
Burgstahler shared her thoughts about the strengths and weaknesses of the arts: “For about two minutes, I talked to the group specifically about the music program that I have been involved with throughout the past four years. I think the trustees were excited to hear all of the positive comments that a lot of us shared. Additionally, we talked about how Colony Hall is going to provide a lot of new facilities for student artists.”
The Board of Trustees meeting was not only a time to re-evaluate the school but it was also a way for the students to share their voice. Maddox said, “The meeting benefits the school because it shows that all programs here are appreciated, whether it’s athletics, arts, writing, or academics. The people here want to know more about our lives and our hobbies and how they have shaped us over the years.”
Purefoy-Craig added, “The meeting benefitted the school by making sure that the students are getting what they came here for. If you came here for the arts you should be able to do what you love and are passionate about and should leave feeling fulfilled. Choate isn’t a school that focuses on and challenges you in just one area of your life, whether it be arts, academia, or athletics. We are multifaceted and multi-talented, and it’s time that we reflect that.”
