Each year, the Wadena Rotary Club partners with the Wadena-Deer Creek Schools to host a Fine Arts Banquet. This event originated with a local newspaper columnist and Rotarian, who felt that the achievements of students who participated in the fine arts deserved recognition and should not be overlooked. The first banquet was held in the spring of 1982 and has continued every year since.
Over the years, the banquet has expanded to recognize even more students who participated in the visual arts, band, choir, drama, Business Professionals of America, speech, and knowledge bowl. Approximately 225 meals have been served each year for the past 4-5 years.
The advisers/coaches of these programs are asked to draft a “guest list” of participants they would like to recognize at this event. The administrative staff of the school compiles the list to make sure there aren't more invitees than can be reasonably accommodated. For example, we may not be able to recognize every student who participates in band and choir, but we may be able to recognize those who received an exemplary rating at their solo and ensemble competitions. Once the list is finalized, the school sends our invitations to these students to attend the banquet, along with their parents. The kitchen staff at school caters for us and we order meals accordingly. The school custodial staff sets up the commons area with a head table for our president and the advisers and tables and chairs for the students and parents. The Wadena Rotary club president is the MC for the evening and welcomes people, introduces the advisers, and peppers in a few facts about Rotary throughout the evening. The visual art teacher sets up tables with exemplary work from featured students that people can enjoy before and after the event. The musical staff often coordinates a few special numbers to be enjoyed throughout the evening as well.
Placemats with tidbits about Rotary, including the four-way test, are used. Club members bring in fruit, crackers, meat and cheese trays for appetizers. These Rotarians are wearing their rotary shirts, of course! Rotarians set all the tables, deliver the meals to the tables and provide clean up labor. The kitchen staff prepares the meals, plates the meals, and assists in running the commercial dishwasher.
The Wadena club strongly encourages other Rotary clubs to launch a fine arts banquet in their own area. Start small by recognizing activities that may not get much attention but are worthy of recognition. Or, perhaps the place to start is with those areas where there is an existing connection between the club and a teacher or adviser in the fine arts. Grow the banquet in partnership with the school!