Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2014, Page 69

Description: Senior Madeline Kane gives the backgroundon an unusual winter holiday: Krampus, whichBloomingtonians celebrated on December 7.GOTHIC YEARBOOK: WHO IS KRAMPUS?MADELINE KANE: Krampus is St. Nicholas counterpart, whopunishes the naughty kids each year during the Christmas time. OnKrampus Night, he was portrayed as a big hairy beast with hornsand a tail. It was pretty creepy-looking!GY: HOW DID PEOPLE CELEBRATE?MK: Before the walk began, people were handing out stickers thatsaid either naughty or nice. There was a whole crew of peoplethat were dressed up in Krampus costumes, and they marched slowlyalong this road, roaring at anyone who had been labeled asnaughty. In the back of the group of monsters there was a cagewith two little, scared-looking kids in it.GY: WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THECELEBRATION?MK: The whole thing was really random and fun, and a good eventto get people outside when the weather starts to get cold.^%:. ~^fc.lf4Mlf4fTwo Bloomington South dancers forged friendships — and furthered theirlove for ballet — in The Nutcracker and the IU Pre-College Ballet Program.ONE Senior Sommer Schroder and sophomoreCatherine Bianco hold hands while listening to some last-minute corrections from their director before getting intocostume and getting ready to perform. TWO SophomoreCatherine Bianco gets help lacing up in her tutu beforegoing on stage to dance as a Russian Trepak. This wasBiancos seventh year dancing in The Nutcracker. THREESchroder, dressed as a Big Mouse, helps lift a Toy Soldierin the dream fight scene. In this scene, young Claras toys,including her beloved Nutcracker, come to life to fight offthe evil Mouse King. FOUR Schroder prepares topractice a lift with a younger dancer in the dressing roombefore going out to perform. This was Schroders tenthyear dancing in Tfie Nutcracker. Getting to dance therole of Big Mouse was one of the most fun roles that Iveever had and it was a great way to end my experiencewith The Nutcracker, Schroder said. PHOTOS BY EMILYMOONIn fervored preparation for the final Nutcrackerperformance of the week, senior SommerSchroder hopped into her stuffed mousecostume, while sophomore Catherine Biancowas laced up in her Russian Trepak tutu. Thetwo had performed in various roles in the past,from sweet angels to stoic soldiers, but thepairs ballet experience extended far beyondthe favorite annual holiday show. As the onlytwo Bloomington High School South studentsparticipating in the Indiana University Pre-College Ballet Program, the girls had beendedicated to ballet through high school.Both girls started dancing at a young age;Schroder began at age four, while Biancostarted when she was eight years old. I lovethe feeling of power and beauty that I findwithin myself whenever I am dancing, saidSchroder. Bianco feels similarly: [Dancing]causes me to forget my surroundings, and onlythink about how my body is moving.While both girls average about 15 hoursat the ballet studio each week, neitheranticipates studying ballet full-time in college.I plan on taking the elective course [at IndianaUniversity], just so I dont have to stop dancingcompletely, Schroder said. Bianco has similarplans to keep dancing in college as well aspursue my academic passions.In many years of dancing together, thetwo have shared some poignant memories.When asked to share a story from theirexperience with Tfie Nutcracker, the dancersboth recalled the same event. I was dancingas a Lead Officer in the opening show,recounted Schroder. As I did my first turn outof the wing and onto the stage, my hat flew off!I had to finish the dance without a hat while myfellow officers were laughing at me.Luckily, the hat landed right in front of thegirl who played Clara, Bianco added later.She picked it up and gave it to the Nutcrackerat the end of the scene. It looked like it wasstaged! For the pair, the pre-college programfostered something beyond ballet expertise:friendship that will last a lifetime.-DENISE DOROTHEO
Source: http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/9175
Collection: Bloomington High School South

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