Each week Buckhannon-Upshur High School features two Fine Arts Students of the Week to highlight the work students are doing in the art world.
Visual Arts Student of the Week: Jasmine Marie Tackett
Grade: 10
Student Organizations/Ensembles/Clubs/Arts Activities (In-school): National Honors Art Society
Student Accolades (Academic & Fine Arts): I had artwork in a Youth Art Exhibit last year hosted by MIB Gallery / Colonial Arts Center.
Favorite Roles/Pieces/Shows Performed/Etc: My favorite art pieces I have made would have to be the scratch Art Raccoon I made last year and the oil pastel portrait.
Why are the arts important to you? The arts are a form of entertainment, and it allows my imagination to come to life. It is sometimes a struggle and it sometimes doesn’t always work out but that’s part of the fun to continue to try and improve.
Future Plans: My future plans are quite versatile I wanted to work with animals for the longest time, but I’m leaning towards becoming an art major and turning out something like an art teacher as I’ve had so many amazing teachers over the years and I strive to be like them.
Performing Arts Student of the Week: Nathanael Griffith
Grade: 12
Student Organizations/Ensembles/Clubs/Arts Activities (In-school): String Orchestra, Marching and Symphonic Band, Pep Band, BU Jazz/Big Band, Theater, Soundwaves, Sax Quartet.
Student Extracurriculars Arts (Community): West Virginia Wesleyan College Jazz Band and Buckhannon Community Band
Student Accolades (Academic & Fine Arts): 1st Chair Allstate oboist 2023, 1st Chair Oboist in 2023 UC, Wesleyan, Glenville, and Marshal Honor Bands.
Favorite Role: Tommy Djilas (The Music Man)
Favorite Piece: Gabriel’s Oboe
Favorite Show: 2021-2022 BU Marching Band Field Show
Why are the arts important to you? They are what allow me to be myself, and give me a place and way to relieve stress and do something I love.
Future Plans: My future plans are to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College and get an Associate Degree in Applied Science with a focus of instrument repair, then return to West Virginia, attend the University of Charleston and major in business and minor in music, to reach my goal of opening an instrument repair shop.
