Finland Middle School Visual Arts

Another year of amazing art students is nearly in the books. Last night at Finland, we celebrated our students and celebrated their achievements!

This is also the moment I announce the 8th grade winner of the William Scarberry Award. I created this award 11 years ago to Honor William's memory and lasting impact he left on the staff and students. His life was tragically cut short while attending Finland Middle School.

For the 2 years the students are here with me, I watch, listen and learn about them to find the qualities William displayed here, which includes:
1. Lifting others up
2. Had a passion for the arts
3. Stood up for those being bullied
4. Displayed integrity and be of good character

Congratulations to Maycol for being that light at Finland for the past 2 years!

Mr. Clark

Dear Will,

Its been 10 years and 1 day since you flew high away from us. Time may have passed, but your memory has never faded.

In the past 10 years I have tried to honor your legacy daily. I have found students each year that carry your passion for art, your willingness to stand up for those less fortunate, your desire to lift others up and your strength in overcoming the hardships delivered unwantingly in your life. The William Scarberry Award will continue to honor this yearly.

Me? I have had my ups and downs. I have had good years and bad years. I have fought my own personal demons and your journey helps keep me inspired to fight along mine. Finding students that embodies your spirit here at school keeps me motivated to be the best teacher I can be.

In these past 10 years, no other student has impacted me the way you have. You are never far from my thoughts. I hope you are lifting heavy, flying high and uplifting others the way only you can. Never forget how proud I am of you.

I hope that I make you proud as an educator.

Sincerely,

Mr. Poo Poo Head.

It's my privilege and honor to post this yearly. 10 years ago I started this to honor William, known as Boo to his closest ones.

It starts in 7th grade. As my students grow over the 2 years here at Finland Middle, I watch, listen and learn about them. I seek to find students that are the embodiment of William's spirit. This comes in the form of lifting other up, using their art to better someone else, and to stand up for others from bullying.

The numbers started to grow over the years, so I started adding to this by picking a total of 5 students each year. 4 of them get an Art Award. This year, McKenna stood out among the finalist and her name has been added to the plaque.

Congratulations to all!

Every year this has been taken down in the spring and put back up in the fall. I don't need to but I have done so to ensure of the plague's safety.

Today is the first day back for teachers and so, I put up the plague with its new name added for all the new students this year to see.

For all the past Vikings, I hope life has been treating you well. For all my current Vikings, I wish you the best this year and I look forward to the best year yet!

Go Vikings!

Such a fun day at Finland today!

As the new school year is about to start (2nd year at the new building), I wanted to share our newest award winner for the William Scarberry Award. It's amazing how year after year, I can see the spirit of William in other students time and time again. Here is to a great year Vikings!

As the new school is still being worked on, there has been placed a limit to hanging stuff on main walls.

The art room though has its own display wall right at the top of the main stairs for me to show off student class work and work created outside school.

Today, I took the time to hang the William Scarberry Award, with the 2022 winner plate fresh off the presses. There was a sense of completion to know William is part of the new school now too.

The 117 sign is from the old FMS art room and the screen print, created by Max Fout, one of the previous FMS art teachers, is also hung as we held our candlelight vigil for William in that exact spot.

Good to see our old friend is still around for a little bit longer, but now to set up the new classroom!

I stopped by FMS and they are finally tearing down the building.

There are some bricks piled just behind where my car is parked if you want one.

So long FMS! So many memories made there over the years!

When the building is being torn down, you allow the students to paint the walls. This should have been done years ago as it finally feels like an art room! Haha

Have a great summer FMS! See you in the new building for 2022-2023.

This is the last time this will look like this. Decor is coming down. Things are going to be packed up.

To all the students that made memories here, please know that I value the moments made here at this old building.

If you didn't know, a final walk through is open the public.

https://facebook.com/events/s/finlands-final-walkthrough/344597284321890/