BACKSTAGE CLASSES | HST EVENTS | HOME
 COMMUNITY SERVICE
Outreach Performances Over the years, HST has done many community outreach performances. Some examples include Leisure World & Asbury retirement communities, the MCAG Fair, community festivals, and small church/business groups. Glenview Mansion Christmas Decorating HST participates in the Glenview Mansion Christmas Decorating program. Each year, groups are asked to decorate a Christmas tree according to the selected theme. HST students design/decorate a tree and/or a Nativity each Christmas. Sponsor of Peerless Rockville's Homes & Hospitality Tour Every May, HST students have volunteered to be servers and musicians at the dessert house on Peerless Rockville's Homes & Hospitality Tour (previously known as Peerless' Progressive Dinner). Peerless and HST have networked in various ways over the years. Some examples include HST students participating in Peerless' historical programs (such as Civic War reenactments) and Peerless creating a WWII display to honor veterans at one of HST's shows. Participant In MCAG Fair Homeschool Day HST has supported Home School Day at the MCAG Fair since it was first established. HST sets up an information booth and has provided entertainment and/or demonstrations. Many HST students/families find this day to be a wonderful "HST reunion" after the summer months of missing HST friends. SOCIAL
Annual Pool PartyThe first Friday after Memorial Day is the traditional date for HST's annual pool party. HST rents a community pool from Noon to three so that all of HST's students and their families can attend. HST provides grilled kosher hot dogs and drinks, while families bring something to share. There are plenty of life guards, a large baby pool, a sand volleyball court, a basketball net, ping-pong, and lots of fun for all. This is a favorite HST event where directors, producers, teachers, parents and students ALL get to relax and enjoy each other's company! HST Formal HST has sponsored a Formal for our students, guests, and college aged alumni since 2003. This annual event is held in June at the Glenview Mansion in Rockville, MD. HST parents serve a sit-down dinner in the formal dining room prior to an evening of dancing, strolling in the beautiful gardens and enjoying the art gallery exhibit on the 2nd floor. All attendees must be age 15 or over by January 1, 2008. Most students do not bring dates, but everyone dances and has a wonderful, wholesome evening of fun! Parent Coffees Throughout the year, HST will sponsor several parent coffee's. A G-rated video is provided for younger siblings while parents take a few minutes to visit, ask questions about HST events, and socialize with other dedicated home school parents. HST provides coffee, tea, and Danish - parents provide the fellowship. Troupe Award Presentation/Party Student awards have been an HST tradition from our very first '95/'96 season. Our SHOWCASE performers receive a souvenir award and our TROUPE performers are presented with an award designed each year by artist, Chris Stephanelli. The award presentation is after the final performance of each show and is followed by an optional "party" at a local restaurant. HST Work Days Although a "work" day would not be considered a "social" event by many organizations, HST students enjoy any excuse to get together. Periodically, HST undertakes a major project or is "hired" by a director or parent to provide manpower for an event. These days often end with a fun social gathering. STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Variety ShowHST puts on an annual Variety Show in conjunction with our Silent Auction (the Friday before Thanksgiving). The event is free and allows our students to showcase their varied talents. Additionally, HST's troupes and Acting/Overture classes perform - providing a "sneak peak" at the work they are doing. HST Yearbook HST puts together a Yearbook/Photo Directory each year. Students provide a bio of themselves, and HST takes their pictures during our opening parent/student mandatory meeting. We sell these books for a minimal price just to cover the printing costs. The purpose of this project is to provide a means for directors, parents and students to get to know more about the 170+ students and 16 producers/directors/teachers that participate in HST programs. Additionally, students love to have each other sign their books at the end of the year. Student Jobs/Internships HST has always utilized the talents of our students. Over the years, we have created jobs/internships for students interested in marketing, fundraising, graphics, business administration, web-design, videography, and photography. These students get the opportunity to work with the adults who fulfill these needs for HST. In several cases, the students have eventually taken over these tasks in-part or entirely. Student Committees HST's highschool troupes (Shakespeare and Senior) require each student to sign up for at least one committee job. Almost all of HST's fundraising, social, and community service events have student committees to help with planning and support. We have found these committees to be beneficial for both HST and the students. The students develop valuable leadership experience that can be listed on college applications, while HST benefits from the additional energy that student planning brings to our events. Student Marketing HST students participate in our ticket marketing campaign. Students are given envelopes to address to their family and friends. Ideally, they should put a personal note inside explaining which shows they are in and offering to purchase tickets for family/friends at student discount prices. These envelopes are turned in for HST parents to collate and stuff with our Season flier. Students can earn a pizza party for their HST group by meeting their "goal" for total number of envelopes. Additionally, they learn to value the wonderful audiences that come to attend their shows. FUNDRAISING
HST students must raise all the money for their sets/props/costumes. Since our tuition is half of comparable after-school programs, there is no allotment in our budget for these items. HST students learn to take on responsibility because of the need to fundraise. They are given opportunities to develop leadership and "social skills" through HST's fundraising programs. Llewellyn Flag & Applebutter Delivery HST has been given an excellent fundraising opportunity through several Llewellyn realtors. Each year, Llewellyn realtors distribute US flags for July 4th and apple butter in the fall to their neighborhoods. HST parents and students get paid by the hour for assisting with this delivery. Silent Auction HST's primary fundraiser is our Silent Auction, which is held in conjunction with our free Variety Show on the Friday before Thanksgiving. Unlike other Silent Auctions, most of our items "sell" at bargain prices. Instead of a few high priced items, HST has over 300 items that "sell" for an average price of $15. Our buyers get great deals while HST earns the money needed for sets/props/costumes. This is only possible because of the incredible volunteer manpower behind this fun-filled evening. Student Car Wash HST's highschool students wanted the opportunity to run their own fundraiser. The result was our student-run car wash. All scheduling, planning, and execution is done by HST highschool students. Although many HST parents "drop by" to get their car washed, and HST producers come regularly to pick up money - the students monitor themselves. The students recognize that they must up-hold the high standards that were set by previous students in order to continue this event. Program Ad Sales HST produces a 60 page "Season Program" for our five shows. The cost of printing is covered by ad sales. The graphics work is donated by Dick Rabil, owner of Slice, Inc. firm. Parents/students often go out in groups to solicit ads from local businesses. It is a great opportunity for students to develop confidence and poise when communicating with business people. Donation Letter Campaign HST is a federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Therefore, all donations are tax-deductible. Each year, HST designates a development project that we solicit donations for. Students may choose to mail-out copies of our solicitation letter to friends/relatives they believe may wish to support the cultural arts. Students who participate are recognized at the Variety Show.
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Copyright © 2005 Home School Talents, Inc.
HST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural arts program.
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