After graduating, the class of 2021 will disperse and go on to pursue their goals or hobbies. Two seniors, in particular, have chosen to pursue art and music after high school: Jilian Sander and Koen Weichel, respectively.

Starting at the age of five, Sander’s love for creating art blossomed as the years went by and ultimately made her decide to pursue art as a career. As a result, she prepared for her art career by taking several art classes during high school that gave her helpful tips and good practice with her art. 

She did not do this alone—she had her teachers support her decision to pursue art. They encouraged her to passionately continue her hobby and some of them even have some of her art projects.

Sander noted, “All of my teachers have helped me through high school but Mr. Merchant has really helped with my portfolio and has given great feedback.”

After high school, Sander plans to attend the University of Arts in hopes of becoming an animator or storyboard artist. She hopes that this school will help her develop a better understanding of proportion and perspective in addition to learning better techniques.

What she finds most appealing about art is that it allows one to create something beautiful out of nothing and have fun while doing it. 

Sander believes, “Art can make spaces more beautiful and welcoming. It can also help someone who has lost a loved one or has something or someone special to them that they want to put into a piece of artwork.” 

Sander hopes that pursuing art will be able to benefit her and her community. 

Unlike Sander, Weichel will not be pursuing the fine arts as a career but as a professional hobby. What convinced him to pursue music as a hobby was his deep appreciation and passion for music. 

For Weichel, “The music itself and its deep complexity which few really understand and appreciate,” are the most appealing aspects of music.

As a result, he began to prepare for his hobby in high school by learning to play music in a group setting and learn how it functions well as different parts fit together. 

The lead contributing supporter for his decision to continue music was his jazz instructor, Milt Barney.

Weichel noted, “He has shown how much more complex music can get and how to improve in my own playing.”

Weichel will be attending Robert Morris University to major in accounting, but he is planning on joining their jazz ensemble to grow his professional hobby as a jazz saxophonist. 

Weichel hopes that pursuing music will allow him and his community to feel the emotions that people experience in their lives.

Overall, both Sander and Weichel are passionate about music and art to continue pursuing it as either a career or hobby after graduation. Trinity High School will miss both of these brilliant and talented individuals as they move on to a new chapter in their life. Congratulations Sander and Weichel!