Spring comes early with Family Focus Student Arts Showcase

It was an evening of dance, poetry, art, and the spoken word – all performed by students who attend the Family Focus After School Program.

The audience was filled with family, friends and fans, who also escaped the chill of late February at the Annual Spring Student Arts Showcase from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23.

Erica Holman was there to see her son, Rockwell, perform. She said: “He’s been in the program since this past summer, and he’s been going after school this year. … This program is full of wonderful enrichment activities for the children, and this is a prime example of one of the many things that Miss JoAnn puts together. … It’s phenomenal.”

“Miss JoAnn” is Family Focus Program Manager JoAnn Avery, a beloved figure to generations of Evanstonians. Avery started at Family Focus in 1977 as a college intern and never left. “March 1 will be 41 years” as program manager, Avery told the RoundTable.

Each year during Black History Month, Avery collaborates with community partners and volunteers who support the Student Arts Showcase by encouraging children to express themselves creatively. Volunteers make costumes and even provide meals on performance dates.

The walls of the Weissbourd-Holmes Family Focus Center gymnasium were decorated with student art that was the result of a long-term collaboration with Valerie Buchanan, assistant director of leadership development and community engagement at Northwestern University.

“Every year, we go to Northwestern for a special program. They host breakfast and lunch, and they teach us about MLK,” said Avery.

The joy and excitement of live dance and spoken word performances was reflected in the faces of students who had practiced daily in the weeks leading up to this year’s event. Audience members of all ages responded to the showcase with cheers of encouragement and a big round of applause.

The nonprofit Identity Performing Arts has partnered with Evanston Arts Council since 2016 to offer free dance programming to students in the Family Focus After School Program. 

Identity Performing Arts Artistic Director and founder Ginny Lo provides dance instruction twice weekly throughout the calendar year. She is assisted by ETHS student and After School Program alumna Tiana Jackson, who teaches hip hop dance.

New this year is ballet instruction. Students also learn African dance styles and modern dance. “We don’t do auditions. Whoever wants to be part of this, they are always welcome,” said Lo.

Writing group facilitator Beth Jacobs, widely known to students as “Miss Beth,” exposes students to great poetry and inspires them to write their own poems. She facilitates Strong Minds, a student group that memorizes poetry.  

Dreams by Langston Hughes was one of the poems recited by the students in Strong Minds. Other young poets took turns reciting their original work throughout the event.

Students who learn Spanish from Priscilla Giles in the After School Program also took center stage, showcasing their Spanish language skills. In addition to learning Spanish, children experience personal growth as they develop listening skills and gain new perspectives.

Some of the students wore Family Focus After School Program T-shirts imprinted with the words, “Our Voices Matter.” The After School Program that has enriched the lives of generations of young people is also helping them discover the power of their own voices.