For the first time ever, the Art and Literary Club hosted a coffee house fundraiser in the high school cafeteria, on Friday, January 20, from 7-9 pm.  Club co-founders and co-presidents Nicole Schroy and Talia Trackim, both seniors, planned the event along with vice-president Madeline Hoffert, also a senior. Fellow club members donated food, ran the food and drink booths, and helped set up.

“I was interested to see my peers…to see their talents and what they could come up with,” senior Sarah Yanega said.

The coffee house featured the sale of baked goods (including in-house made waffles), displays of artwork, three blocks of live performances, and an open mic at the end of the night.

“I attended the coffee house to support my friends who were performing,” senior Quinn Gaughan said.

While only half of the cafeteria was open to seating, almost all tables were occupied, and tables located in the front were practically filled to the brim with students supporting their friends, family members, and other audience members.

“I greatly admire the bravery to get up there and sing, and also the fact that they’re pretty good,” Yanega said. “I appreciate the bravery it takes to willingly perform in front of everyone.”

The lineup included seniors Lauren Jardine and Garrison Piel performing, “Dear Happy,” senior Dan Zelenkofske performing “Blackbird” and “Is There Anybody out there?,” senior Alex McCue who recited her poem, “Night,” and seniors Brooke Wellington, Sean Inniss, and Logan Clemmer performing “Riptide,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

After a brief intermission, senior Victor Aung performed “Feel Good Inc.,” Jardine performed “Sick of Losing Soulmates,” senior Abby Norton and Solehi alumnus Ryan Flynn as Grammatically Uncorrect performed “Words,” ”Not Scared,” and “Cop Graveyard,” senior Nicole Brintzenhoff read an excerpt from her story, “Flowers Die,” and freshman Maria Corrandini sang “Break Free.”

“[Presenting my work] was nerve wracking at first until I started to get into it,” Brintzenhoff said. “Then it was just a matter of ignoring that everyone was bored.”

“I feel like [the coffeehouse] was kinda low key and loving. I know a lot of people here have been friends for a long time. It’s people coming together for a common and interest, its friends coming together and reconnecting, “ senior Madeline Hoffert said. “[I enjoyed] just seeing friends go up and out of their comfort zone and sharing their work…It’s nice to have people come out and support them.”