A BRIEF RESUME OF THE OLYMPIAD TRADITION

The Olympiad of the Arts continues a respected tradition established in 1928 by Senator James Phelan of Montalvo and Poet Laureate Dr. Henry Meade Bland. In the 1970's, the modern Olympiad was developed under the leadership of Mary Fleischli and Louise Cooper, mother of our board member, Bill Cooper. Early award ceremonies were held at the Villa Montalvo as a quadrennial event. Now, for more than thirty years, the competition has been managed by the West Valley / Mission College Foundation as an annual event, with over $73,000 awarded to some 10,000 student participants. The purpose of the Olympiad is to recognize the creative talents of students in Santa Clara County and to encourage their continued study and growth in the arts. The Olympiad provides local schools an oppurtunity to acknowledge their talented student artists and receive public recognition for their outstanding curricular arts programs and dedicated instructors. High school and lower division college students in Santa Clara County are eligible and encouraged to compete each year in one or more of the following categories: Popular and Classical Vocal Music, Classical Piano, Dance, Acting, Visual/Digital Art, Photography, and Creative Writing including Short Story and Poetry. Competition in each category is judged by professionals from the community. Participating area schools look forward to the Olympiad each year. Joan Owen poetry teacher at Wilcox High in Santa Clara, praises the Olympiad for providing significant encouragement to creative writers. "The contest,” she says, "provides a real goal, a genuine audience and helps students take writing as a career seriously." Art and photography teacher, Ted Key, agrees. His students at Notre Dame High in San Jose have entered the Olympiad for 17 years. "The Olympiad has continued to be a steadfast program to highlight the incredible talent of our young artists", says Key. Thus, the Olympiad of the Arts has been and remains a significant contributor to the culture of Santa Clara Valley, and the stewardship provided by this Foundation through the support of the West Valley / Mission College District continues to be an essential element in the life of the Olympiad. MORE OLYMPIAD INFORMATION Now let me share with you some information about how the annual Olympiad competition works. The Olympiad Director handles day-to-day planning and operations for the event. The event itself is held during the spring of each year. Each competitive category has its guidelines for when, where, and how it’s part of the total event will be carried out. A coordinator for each category receives the applications, schedules the entrants for competition hires a judge or judges for that category, and is present during some or all of the competition particularly in the performing arts categories. Following competition and evaluation an award ceremony is held. Until 2008, this ceremony was held in the West Valley Theater before an audience of peers, parents, and friends. First place winners in the performing arts gave a live performance of their winning selections, first-place creative writing excerpts were publically read, and slides of winning photography and visual arts entries were shown.

Of course, the Olympiad could not be held without the crucial work of its Director. For many years, Wendy Weisman filled this position in an outstanding way. Last year, a new Director, Paula Pacheco, took over the reins. She has received plaudits from all concerned for her work involving the 2008 Olympiad. The Olympiad Committee has asked her to serve in the same capacity for the coming year, and she has accepted. We look forward to having her leadership with us again. Two other individuals deserve commendation here as well. We could not succeed without the help and wise counsel of Cindy Schelcher and the fine assistance of Candace Temple. Our continuing thanks to both of them. For last year's event, the Olympiad Committee decided to offer competition in high school performing arts categories, namely Classical Piano, Dance, and the new category of Guitar. A second new factor was initiated as well, that is, a performance finals before a public audience. Before 2009, all performances were held in a private environment--before judges only. Last year these closed performances were held as the preliminary to the public finals, with the top three winners in each category returned to perform their award selections again before the public. Each performer was assured of at least a third place monetary award. First, second, and third place prizes were given in each category. The finals were an outstanding success and will be considered again for the 2010 competition. It is a matter of continuing pride and pleasure that the level of competition each year of the Olympiad has remained so high. Many people are amazed that the artistic work of these young competitors is often comparable to that of professionals. -2 This year, the Olympiad Director and Committee will undertake its planning for the 2010 competition next month. First and foremost is the raising of outside needed funds-mainly through grants and donations--to sustain its operations for another year. A new contract for the Olympiad Director needs to be approved by the Foundation and the District Board of Trustees. A review and analysis of the 2009 Olympiad will take place in the Olympiad Committee before decisions are made regarding the scope, content, and viability of the 2010 event, The Olympiad Director will then report the Committee's findings to the Board. It is important that all such information-particularly funding-be ascertained by this coming October so that planning can move ahead in a viable way toward a continuation of the Olympiad tradition.

Finally, it is important in our current American culture to promote the values of art and artistry in every artistic medium. Modeling these values for young people, in particular, is the duty of our society. Yet, during a period of recession stringent budget cuts, and the anxiety of many regarding their own well-being, public and privately funded activities in the arts, including education are being severely cut back or eliminated. Today, traditions such as the Olympiad take on increased validity and importance. The Olympiad is, and must continue to be, a part of the process that brings the gift of artistic endeavor and enrichment into the lives of people in our community.

Cindy and I, plus other members of the Olympiad Committee--Tab Morales, Bill Allman, and Mark Waxman--will now be happy to hear your comments and questions.