Over the past three years, art and home economics teacher, Sharon Scharf has seen some of her art students rewarded for their talent and participation with an award and scholarship given by a group of local artists she is a part of called Friends-n -Art.
The award is given to encourage young aspiring artists and to support them as they move on from high school. Scharf and her friends meet in their group twice a month, and towards the end of the school year they discuss who will be receiving the prize.
“The whole idea started around the year 2000,” Scharf said. “Some friends (19) and I met in a backyard to do some water color paintings and improve our skills, and mostly to have fellowship. After awhile, we had an idea to give a scholarship to a deserving student, and we gathered the money throughout the year between all of us.”
The student must be requested, or asked by a teacher, to then apply for the scholarship. Then, after the group discusses the potential recipients, they find an appropriate date and enjoy fellowship with one-another and make a morning out of the event.
“We usually do a pot luck kind of lunch, and we just enjoy each others company,” Scharf said. “The scholarship comes from our pockets and usually we end up with about a hundred dollars.”
FC Alumna Danielle St. Marie, ’12, was this year’s recipient. She had participated in Scharf’s art classes her eighth grade year and her senior year, and specialized in scratch art.
“When I found out I won the award, I couldn’t believe it,” St. Marie said. “Mrs. Scharf had told me over the summer, and I was happily shocked. When I was presented with the award it was such an honor, because prior to receiving it, I was not aware that it was in memory of a member.”
Scharf and the other group members found it important to recognize the loss of a member and decided it apropriate to give the scholarship in memory of Fran Long.
“Fran Long was a long time member that had passed away this past year. She was ill for awhile, and sufferd from horrible emphysema,” Scharf said. “The morning was wonderful because her family had attended the ceremony and it was a special time and memory to all of us.”
St. Marie is very grateful for the award she was presented, and plans to further use her artistic skills while studying mechanical engineering at California State University, Fresno.
“Although I’m not majoring in art, engineering is just a more mathematical and logical approach to the topic,” St. Marie said. “I can use my artistic ability and transpire it to designs on the computer and functioning products. I have to have a vision in my head and then some how create it to an actual object, so that’s how art will come in.”
Scharf and her long time friend and art accomplice, Wanda Carey, presented St. Marie with the award.
“I arrived at lunch time at a place in downtown Clovis and set up my art work, so the members could view my pieces before the ceremony,” St. Marie said. “Then, Scharf introduced me and read my essay before everyone, and Wanda presented me with the check and award. After, I gave a brief acceptance speech and we celebrated with lunch and cake.”
Scharf enjoyed the experience of giving to her students in order to invigorate and motivate them. Giving an award and scholarship is not only helpful but also in a way to uplift the student.
“Really, my only motivation for this is to help inspire the students and encourage them,” Scharf said. “The award is given in recognition, and the scholarship may be small, but it can make the biggest difference to a student.”
For more news. read the Sept. 12 article, Student Leadership revamps spirit packs.
