![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
Live vocals. Stylish instrumentals. Smooth, professional cinematography. These are the defining aspects of a creative musical project by NASH seniors Evan Dozier and Chris Petraglia. Welcome to The Lounge.
The Lounge aims to produce high-quality covers of jazz standards with student musicians. The project was started in May of 2024.
“When we did the End-of-the-Road video, I realized that Evan and I worked very well together, so I wanted to continue making music videos on a smaller scale,” Petraglia said.
The duo bring their respective specialties to the productions.
“Usually, I arrange the pieces by writing out all the sheet music for any featured instruments,” Dozier said. “I also set up the interface and wiring for recording.”
Petraglia handles the video production end.
“I’m responsible for capturing the footage we need for each project, as well as the video editing that goes into each of them. I also create the atmosphere as the lighting designer,” he said.
The Lounge’s central focus is on showing off the talent of local musicians.
“The students we feature are often chosen because they are the best out there for what they do,” Petraglia said. “We seek out musicians and singers from a wide selection of local school districts who excel in their respective musical fields.”
Both members find enjoyment in different aspects of their projects. Petraglia said, “My favorite part [of the process] would have to be building connections with other musicians in Pittsburgh” while Dozier added, “I enjoy the atmosphere of creating music with other musicians.”
The two have posted close to ten productions on their YouTube channel so far, and while the two producers are proud of each video, one stands above the others.
“The cover that we’re most proud of is ‘The Girl From Ipanema,'” Dozier said.
Petraglia added, “It was the most wide-ranging in terms of instruments. It was the most enjoyable shoot because everyone there was cool and fun to be around. They were some of the most talented musicians I’ve met through The Lounge.”
The process of getting from planning to a final product is no doubt laborious for the two.
“Scheduling and finding a time when everyone involved can work together is the trickiest part,” Petraglia said. “[Each production] typically takes around 12-15 hours from start to finish.”
Petraglia plans to study film in college, while Dozier intends to pursue sound engineering. The two have already involved dozens of other student musicians with similar aspirations and talents. To keep up to date with their projects, The Lounge has an Instagram as well as a YouTube channel.
This story was originally published on The Uproar on September 26, 2024.