Written By: Addie
Edited By: Lia
On March 5, the Fine Arts Council (FAC) hosted ISM’s first-ever Arts Banquet, honoring the students who represented the school at this year’s IASAS Cultural Convention (CulCon) events. The celebration took place from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theater.
The banquet recognized delegates from Art, Film, Model United Nations (MUN), Dance, Drama & Tech, Speech & Debate, and Music (Choir, Strings, and Band) for their months of preparation for their respective conventions.
FAC member Amelie (11) describes the evening as “dedicated to recognizing the IASAS CulCon delegates’ creativity and unwavering commitment to their craft.” She explains that the goal was to spotlight not only achievement, but also the discipline, collaboration, and resilience that define the arts community at ISM.
As this was the inaugural Arts Banquet, the event was limited to student delegates and faculty. While parents and friends weren’t invited to attend this year, FAC hopes to expand the celebration’s audience in the future.
The program included the distribution of IASAS certificates and patches, senior speeches, and special awards. A highlight of the evening was the Bearcat Spirit Award, which was presented to one delegate from each convention. According to Amelie, the award recognizes individuals who exemplify the shared values of their group, whether through leadership, encouragement, positivity, or kindness. The program also featured the lighthearted curfew video challenge from the cultural convention, and food and refreshments were available throughout the event.
For years, ISM has celebrated athletic achievements through banquets and awards ceremonies. The Arts Banquet aims to establish a similar tradition for student artists. As Amelie puts it, “We here at FAC believe that artists—whether you use a canvas, a stage, a camera, or a podium—deserve to be just as recognized.”
With this first banquet, the FAC hopes to create a lasting tradition that continues to elevate and celebrate the arts at ISM.
