Dedication Day 2025

September 16, 2025

The annual Dedication poster, signed by all students

Dedication Day 2025 was September 15. Dedication is a Perpich tradition where new students and faculty/staff are welcomed into the Perpich community. The ceremony featured speeches from seniors and an alum, representing all art areas: Herb Johnson III (Dance 2010), Dance; Arthur Bleess, Literary Arts; Milo Crane, Media Arts; Beck Wilson, Music; Ailee Bartz, Theater/Musical Theater; Samantha Holt, Visual Arts.

Herb Johnson III (Dance 2010) read a statement crafted by Junior dancers and Mary Harding, Dance Instructor. “In Dance, Dedication is working together and connecting with trust, ambition, and positivity,” he said. “Along with that, an important part of being dedicated is to support and encourage the other people you’re dancing with, to create a space where everyone feels uplifted, safe, and loved. Another part of dedication is focusing on the process of creating new art. All of these different ways to show dedication not only helps us while we dance, but are also lessons we use in everyday life, from morning classes to the dorm.”

Arthur Bleess (Literary Arts 2026) said, “Last year I sat at Dedication and thought about how badly I wanted to be sitting in my old Spanish teacher’s class, reading through my orchestra music for the five hundredth time. I don’t remember what was said. But I do remember, that after spending half a year determined to leave, I couldn’t bring myself to. I found myself dedicated to my friends, to the community that I found myself in. I was spending the class time that I could to do my work, work that I actually found myself enjoying. The teachers here checked up on their students, taking time to get to know them and to help them. They enjoy the classes that they teach, so their students enjoy taking them. Not only had I found I didn’t want to leave, I found that I had every reason to stay.”

Student and Alum speakers at Dedication 2025: Herb Johnson III (Dance 2010), Dance; Arthur Bleess, Literary Arts; Milo Crane, Media Arts; Beck Wilson, Music; Ailee Bartz, Theater/Musical Theater; Samantha Holt, Visual Arts.

Milo Crane (Media Arts 2026) said, “I personally have struggled with finding motivation, especially in my art area. For a while I felt a pressure to make the best art possible, and inevitably burned myself out at the end of the year. But being able to have support from my fellow film makers and even my friends helped me keep going, even if I didn’t have motivation. I kept going. That’s why for me I see Dedication as almost a promise. A promise to keep going, not to push yourself to the brink of exhaustion, but to find something to inspire you again. To allow the low points to happen but find a way to keep going. To keep trying.”

Beck Wilson (Music 2026) said, “Perpich has given me and many others the resources to pursue our artistic interests, and has given us a community of artists who are able to influence each other and grow together. Music has taught me one very important thing: in order to have dedication to your work, you must know what you want and be able to see the vision that you have for it. Once you have this vision, the process becomes so much easier and enjoyable, even with all the challenges that will try to stop you. But when you’re dedicated, those challenges don’t matter. You just keep pushing.”

Ailee Bartz (Musical Theater 2026) said, “Dedication Day is important to our community because it is a day to appreciate all the work we have done and the drive for the work we can still do, and to remember who we are and our purpose as a school. It’s what makes Perpich unique.”

Samantha Holt (Visual Arts 2026) said, “I chose to come to Perpich last fall as a way to demonstrate my devotion to these practices. Through engaging with the school and expanding your experiences and artistry you realize one of the many beautiful things about Perpich is that every student you are sitting next to chose to be here. Whether that’s driven by passion, necessity, or disputation, by being here you have deepened your commitment to your art practice.”

The faculty speaker, Ryan Meaney (English Instructor), spoke about discovery, “School is for discovery. Discovery not just through gaining knowledge, though that is important, but discovery of who you are.” He emphasized the value of the arts and critical thinking in resisting societal norms and stressed the unique bravery and dedication of students in shaping a more compassionate and empathetic world. “We discover our shared experiences through history, so that WHEN history does repeat itself, we aren’t surprised, we are ready for the struggle. School is not just teaching us about the world, but allowing us, in real time every day, to create the world that we want to live in.”

L to R: Herb Johnson III (Dance 2010) and Mat Ollig (Visual Arts 2002) pose together after the Dedication 2025 ceremony.

Our alumni speaker, Mat Ollig (Visual Arts 2002), shared a beautiful reflection on the evolution of dedication in his life and his artistic journey. “Being at Perpich were some of the best memories of my childhood. It gave me the confidence and the guidance I needed to follow my dreams…of being the next Bob Ross, until Craig Farmer taught me that there were other, better artists and so much incredible artwork that I could be inspired by.” Mat continued by relating to the current student body. “25 years ago, I was where you are right now: in a new school, in a new city. Scared, but excited. Everything started out right here. Perpich was the key to everything I’ve accomplished. Perpich gave me the confidence, the work ethic, the curiosity, the artistic knowledge, my friends, and the hope and tenacity to follow my dreams and make art my career. So as you go about today, and in the days and weeks that follow, remember that you’re only starting your journey, and that today is not just a dedication to Perpich. Today is a day when you dedicate yourself to yourself, and you embrace all the possibilities that you can accomplish.”

Our alumni performer, Herb Johnson III (Dance 2010), gave a powerful Krump dance performance and then, after catching his breath, said, “Yeah, didn’t practice any of that,” a sarcastic statement that was met with giggles from the audience. “What I mean by that, when I say that, I’ve been practicing this for 20 years. So me being dedicated to that, I’m always prepared. Maybe I didn’t practice something, but when you practice your art and you’re dedicated to it in a way where you don’t need to turn to inspiration, motivation; you become your art. And even when you’re unprepared, you’re prepared.”

During his emcee speech, Bob Frey said, “I believe Perpich Dedication is a very cool and very unique event, one that has occurred here every fall for many years. So, what is Dedication? In short, Dedication is a ritual, Dedication is an opportunity, and Dedication is a promise. Dedication is when we, as the Perpich community, come together to publicly state our commitment – both individually and collectively – to our art, to our time, to our community, and to all that is Perpich.”

Perpich Arts High School Principal, Rebecca Bullen, said, “[Dedication] holds a special place in our hearts, as it is rooted in the core values that make Perpich a unique and inspiring place to learn, grow, and create. Throughout the event, the theme was clear: dedication is not just about the work we do, it’s about who we are as people and how we grow through our challenges, mistakes, and successes. It was a reminder to embrace opportunities, to take risks, and to remain committed to the journey, even when the path is uncertain. It’s moments like these that reaffirm why I am so honored to be a part of this incredible community, Perpich. We are not just nurturing artists; we are nurturing young people who are dedicated to themselves, to each other, and to a future that gives me hope. One filled with creativity, compassion, and possibility.”