Shawn Roling – ADM Fine Arts Boosters
The Adel-DeSoto-Minburn School District continues to be a bright star for our community.
Each year, the school is praised for great academics standards, test scores, and graduation rates. In addition, the school is also successful with regards to the fine arts.
This success is due to the continued support of community members. This month we spoke with the ADM Fine Arts Booster Club President Shawn Roling to learn more about ADM’s tradition of stellar performances.
Studies have shown that involvement in extra curricular activities, especially music, can increase a student’s test scores and grade point average.
Luckily, ADM Schools agree and funds these programs to the best of their abilities. Once those funds are allocated, the ADM Fine Arts Booster Club steps up to subsidies remaining needs.
The Fine Arts encompass Band, Choir, Art, Speech, Theater, Debate, Mock Trial, and Flag Corps for students age kindergarten through seniors.
The funds generated by the ADM Fine Arts Boosters are used by all grade levels. Each year, teachers submit their budgets for supplies such as sheet music, paint and clay, contest entry fees, travel, or costumes. These funds may be used to provide All-State camp scholarships, college scholarships to Fine Art majors, assist with equipment purchases, and more.
In recent years the Booster Club has been able to purchase large ticket items as well. When purchasing these items, the board considers the need, longevity and accessibility.
ADM Schools are lucky to have a history of passionate Fine Arts Board members with an eye for the future. When the Board purchased band uniforms 15 years ago, their successors began setting aside funds to purchase replacements.
The new uniforms offer different configurations so that they may be worn for marching and concert performances.
The adjustable band shells are placed behind concert risers to help project sound into the auditorium.
When more power is needed, or the shells would intrude on the scenery, the new wireless microphones may be used. The baby grand piano is a beautiful instrument, housed at the high school, which may be used by any grade during performances in the main auditorium.
As new instruments are purchased, the older ones are rotated throughout the district.
The funding supplied by the ADM Schools and ADM Fine Arts Booster Club has allowed teachers to innovate, helping our students to soar. In recent years ADM has been proud to send multiple performers to All-State Band and Choir competitions, Individual and Large Group State Speech competitions, and Jazz Band performances.
As these students are recognized for the highest honors within their fields, the ADM school district grows with pride knowing that their contributions have helped so many to experience a genuine love for the arts.
The ADM Fine Arts Boosters is made up of parents and community members who believe strongly in the role that fine arts plays with regards to education, and realize that the success of our teachers and students comes at a price.
Through grants, and fundraising events like the Annual membership Drive in July, cookie dough, meat, and cheese sales, good will donations, and more, the Boosters are able to continue this tradition of giving. In addition to funding, the ADM Booster Club helps to provide chaperones, organize events, and provide volunteer services as needed for concerts, performances, art exhibits, and more.
“We have great teachers in our schools that can do great things with our kids- we focus on helping them anyway we can. It’s rewarding to be able to say, “Yes!” when a teacher hands us a budget request. We provide the funds, but it’s the teachers who are doing the work.”
Community members are encouraged to join the Fine Arts Boosters or volunteer at upcoming performances.
Monthly meetings are held at 6:30pm on the second Thursday of every month (except December) in the high school band room.
These meetings are open to the public and everyone interested in the welfare of the Fine Arts Department is welcome.
If you would like to support the ADM Fine Arts Boosters, tax-deductible donations may be sent to the address below.
ADM Fine Arts Boosters
P.O. Box 252
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 834-2513
Website: www.adel.k12.ia.us/Activities/BoosterClubs/FineArtsBoosterClub/tabid/96/Default.aspx
