Garan Salady and others in a recent Paramus Catholic theatre production.
Paramus Catholic creates pathways for expression that lead to college options and creative careers
Justin Pedrick, arts department chair at Paramus Catholic High School, sees himself in today’s young people. He knows these times bring a much higher level of uncertainty to students than when he was a student. It is art, he believes, that can help them better navigate today’s turbulent waters.
“Young people are passionate about expressing themselves,” Pedrick said. “They have so much inside them they need to get out and nurture. Students all learn differently, and art students feel safe around like- minded, creative people. They excel in the things they enjoy.”
Vanessa Alleyda with two digital characters she created.
Paramus Catholic Principal, Dr Stephanie Macaluso, has long been passionate about student wellness in education. It is one of the four pillars of a PC educational environment she has helped create over the past 25 years, along with Faith, Academics and Security. Paramus Catholic’s Fine and Performing Arts are now vital tools upholding this pillar.
Students like senior Vanessa Alleyda, an Aquinas Scholar, a four- year AP Studio Art and college level digital arts student, found her passion in drawing. It allowed her to “bring together a whole new world unto herself,” Pedrick said. With the encouragement of her teachers and administrators, she founded an advanced club while at Paramus — CARE, which stands for Creative Art Reaching Everyone. Her digital art characters have earned her the notice of top universities such as Penn State and Brown, either of which she hopes to attend in the fall following graduation.
Austin Schaller, art instructor and track coach at Paramus Catholic since 2017, sees art, music and the other creative courses taught at PC as not only students’ “safe zones,” but where students are challenging themselves to go beyond pre-conceptions about their skills.
Perry Jones showcases a frame from a cartoon he illustrated.
“I’ve seen students who basically had very little drawing skills at the beginning, so to speak, become passionate about art through computers, in computer graphics,” Schaller said. “By giving the confidence early in the year, by semester’s end they are artists.”
Perry Jones, a senior at Paramus Catholic and self-acknowledged “entrepreneurial” artist, is becoming sought-out by his peers to be included in upcoming episodes of his cartoon pilot series, “Homies.” He is using fellow students as models for animated characters in the series, and seeing the list of fellow students wishing to become characters in upcoming episodes growing with every segment he creates.
“Paramus Catholic offers the most extensive fine and performing arts pathways in northern New Jersey- over 34 courses that span the world of expression and art,” said Chris Farrell, newly appointed President of Paramus Catholic. “We offer design, digital arts, performing arts such as theatre, voice and dance, photography, and video production, just to name a few.” Music pathways span voice, concert band and choir, guitar and jazz workshops.
Paramus Catholic art students attend prestigious schools such as Juilliard, Pratt, Berklee, Savannah College of Design (SCAD) and Parsons School of Design, to further their career interests.
“Paramus Catholic has extraordinary creative outlets for all students,” said theatre, talent show performer and varsity tennis player Jacqeline Yabut. “It’s an exciting co-ed environment with lots of different opportunities to explore and express yourself.”
Paramus Catholic High holds an annual showcase of its talent in its annual Photography and Art Exhibition, which includes many students’ work, their drawings, photography, digital and fine arts works. Pedrick, Schaller and music instructor Stefanos Turner collaborate on the showcase.
Beyond the many courses of study available, fine and performing arts can nurture future pathways for students in careers that carry real potential for them and benefits for society as well.
“Many career paths diverge from interest in the arts,” Pedrick said. “Creative people see the world differently. Businesses large and small look for creative minds. They know that these are the ones who will likely generate the next ‘big idea.’ ”
Parents and students interested in learning more about Fine and Performing Arts as well as course offerings in the arts at PC can do so by visiting the school’s website at www.paramuscatholic.com/apps/pages/creative-space-student-gallery