Step up to the mic and express yourself

What better way to showcase the artistic talents of Hewlett High School students than at the annual Vintage Open-Mic Night?

Poetry, music and art will be presented on Friday in the high school cafeteria with this event hosted by Vintage, the school’s literary and art club.

Students from all different grades will gather together to share a few laughs and eat while sharing their works of art. While some listen and others perform, sometimes even more than once, it can honestly be said that everyone can leave the night having enjoyed the program.

Vintage is one of the most unique clubs at Hewlett High. It combines liberal arts disciplines together in a cohesive way to bring out the best in every poet, musician and artist. While the club has been prevalent in the high school as a literary magazine, Lauren Altus, (class of 2013 and former Vintage Club president) presented the idea for an open-mic night, and revitalized the club. It also has evolved into a potentially permanent tradition at Hewlett. Dr. Darla Smyth, an English teacher is the club’s advisor.

This year, the theme is Vintage Café, complete with coffee and pastries. Open mic-nights with slam poetry often take place in cafés, so the club decided to emulate this environment. Executive board members and other club members will arrive early on Friday to help decorate and set up for the event, which includes ordering a ton of food and setting up tables.

Many things have changed since the first open-mic night; however, the true motto of Vintage reins true. The club was designed to let every, and any, student come out and express him or herself in any medium whether it be paint, music or writing. The environment created by such a club has truly made a mark at Hewlett High, and the annual event is a dénouement for another successful year for Vintage.

“When I was a freshman, Vintage was always such a nice place for me to grow as an artist so I want to pass that on and give the opportunity to others,” Elizabeth Donahue, a senior and current club president, said.

Vintage Open-Mic night creates a venue for students and teachers alike to share and express themselves in a unique way, never seen before by their peers, allows them an opportunity to use different mediums to articulate ideas and express their individuality.