A Community Not Just for Students
by Nicole Nagel
Sunset High School offers entertainment and opportunities for everyone in the area, whether it be in the arts, athletics, or volunteering.
Music, Drama, Art
 There are many talented students, and many opportunities to appreciate their work. First off, the 23rd Annual Sunset Marching Band Classic takes place on Saturday the 8th at the Hillsboro Stadium. This competition hosts more than 1,500 musicians and color guard members, culminating in an outstanding show. The preliminaries kick off at 10 a.m., and the finals begin at 5 pm. Admission prices are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors & children, $5 for youth ages 6-12, and youth 5 & under are free.
The Sunset Drama Department never disappoints with their high quality, talent-filled performances. This fall’s Macbeth should be no exception. The head of the drama department, James Farmer, gives us insight on the production: “We haven't changed the language of the play; the actors will be speaking the powerful language of Shakespeare, but the setting has been altered. Instead of the Scottish countryside and castles, the play is now set in an urban city and the characters are not kings and queens, but loosely connected bands of homeless youth. The violence, madness, and tribalism of the play are maintained and given a new meaning in this setting.” This new angle on the Shakespearian classic will be performed in the Sunset auditorium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday November 17th, 18th, and 19th, with a 7:30 pm curtain. For students and seniors, tickets are $7, or $6 with ASB, and general admission is $10. Tickets can be bought at the door or through brownpapertickets.com.
If a sweet treat to your ears is what you’re after, then be sure to attend the Fall Choir Concert on Wednesday the 26th. The performance starts at 7 pm in the Sunset auditorium. All choir concerts are free, so don’t hesitate to go check it out.
Finally, there is a unique opportunity to support the school’s fine arts department, while personally benefitting from some fresh, original artwork. Online, by visiting ChervenysClass.com then clicking on the “fundraiser” tab, you can order a print from a selection of the top graphic design and photography projects students have created. The print alone is $20, with $10 going to the art department, and the other $10 going to the student. For framed artwork, an additional $15 is charged.
Sports
The adrenaline and competition of athletics is very alluring, and Sunset helps provide this entertainment. Friday night football games consistently pack the stands. Such a high level of energy is exciting to experience. The Homecoming game is the Friday the 14th versus Southridge High School. Fall sports also include volleyball, cross-country, water polo, and soccer. With Metro League matches having recently kicked off, many teams are now facing their rivals, and every match counts towards the teams’ rankings. Athletic competitions occur throughout the week, and many offer free admission for seniors 65 and over. The complete schedules can be found at MetroLeague.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
With so much going on at the high school, there are many opportunities to volunteer as well. For school and athletic events, volunteers are commonly needed to sell concessions and merchandise. Daytime activities include working in the attendance office, business office, College and Career Center, counseling office, library, lunchroom, and reading labs. The tasks needed are often basic, yet very helpful in keeping Sunset running smoothly.
A couple that require more time are tutoring in the reading labs and becoming a mentor for Junior and Senior students engaged in post-high school planning. The reading lab provides tutoring to help students pass the state reading exam required for graduation. Math and writing labs are also great resources for students, and tutors are greatly appreciated.
For the mentoring program, you must have a student enrolled at Sunset, and make a two-year commitment to a group of students. Mentors act as facilitators in providing students with necessary resources for after high school. The time commitment is about 1-1 1⁄2 hours a week, with a mandatory training session on Thursday October 13th at 8:30 am in the College and Career Center.
These are only a few of the long list of possibilities for volunteering. If you possess a talent or skill that you would like to bring to Sunset, then don’t hesitate—even if all you want to do is help out in a pottery class. If you would like to learn more, please contact Kaye O’Brien at kobsobcob@yahoo.com. Your contribution will never go unappreciated.
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